Why should Calgary drivers have winter tires? Well, let’s start with the obvious. It snows a lot here. According to one review of data from 1981 to 2010, it snows an average of 54 days every year for a total of nearly 51 inches in an average year. Just as a frame of reference, the doorknob on a standard interior door sits between 34 and 48 inches off the floor. On an average year, the total snowfall in Calgary would bury that door knob — easily.
Getting winter tires is just one of many good winter car tips, but it’s one worth explaining a bit. Just what is so special about winter tires and why is getting them when purchasing a used car in Calgary so important? Here are several issues to consider.
Winter tires from car dealers in Calgary are safer
The best cars to drive in winter are cars with winter tires. Why? For the simple reason, tires are made of rubber and not all tires are made from the same kind of rubber. One of the biggest differences between one kind of rubber and another is how they respond to temperatures. Tires that are sold as “all-season” tires are well-suited to mild temperatures. Once the mercury falls below around 10C, though, the rubber in all-season tires stiffens up and you lose traction. Winter tires, on the other hand, are made out of rubber that does not stiffen up in cold temperatures. That means you have good traction even in cold temperatures.
That’s true regardless of whether we get much snow in a particular year, by the way. The tread on all-season tires are good for snow, it’s true, but it’s also ideal for ice, slush, and even water. The tread is designed to make sure water passes through the tread rather than remaining between the tire and the road. All that adds up to a reduced risk of hydroplaning. Tires don’t work nearly as well when they aren’t in contact with the road. Winter tires are engineered to remain in contact with the road in winter conditions.
Don’t ignore the tire pressure
The specific rubber and tread of winter tires are important, but safe winter driving also requires that you maintain the tires at the right pressure. Tire pressure naturally drops as temperatures drop, so it’s important to check and top up your tire pressure as fall flows into winter and the season gets colder and colder.
Changes in tire pressure change the shape of your tire and how the tread meets the road. When tire pressure is too low, it can affect your traction and handling and even shorten the lifespan of your tires. Checking your tire pressure is quick and easy. If you’re anxious about doing it yourself, just pull into a full service gas station or one of the many conscientious used car dealers in Calgary. They’ll be happy to help keep you safe.
There are budget-conscious options
It’s true that driving year-round with just a single set of tires means you don’t have to buy a separate set of winter tires. Avoiding the cost of buying winter tires is not a good way of saving money though. After all, it comes with a significantly increased risk of accidents and injury, which involve their own costs. Purchasing winter tires is an investment, it’s true, but there are options available for a wide range of budgets. To learn your options for tire packages, simply go to a tire retailer or used car dealership in Calgary. Let them know the year, make and model of your car, and they’ll give you all the information you need.
Winter driving can be exciting! With a well-maintained and properly pressurized set of winter tires, you can keep it exciting in a good way. If you want help to make sure your tires are winter road-worthy, reach out to one of the many used car dealers in Calgary.