Why you should install winter tires at 7°C

Why you should install winter tires at 7°C

Don't be fooled by the weather: Winter driving starts at 7°C!

As early as the month of October, it's time for Canadians to rethink winter driving. Most drivers install their winter tires after the first major snowstorm, but this should actually happen once the temperature falls to +7°C. In most of Canada, this is usually in October or early November, and is long before the snow starts to fall.

Vehicles equipped with winter tires have up to 25% shorter braking distance, which can improve collision avoidance by about 38%.

Seven isn't such a lucky number for all-season tires - at this temperature the rubber of all-season tires begins to harden, decreasing handling and braking capabilities.

With erratic and extreme weather patterns increasing across the country, it's essential to be properly prepared before heading out on the road. When unpredictable weather creates hazardous driving conditions, the softer silica rubber compound of a winter tire provides optimum performance on wet, slippery road conditions.

“Winter tires are constructed to perform better in hazardous driving conditions, and this includes everything from wet, slippery surfaces to frosty roads to snow. Winter tires push water away and cut through snow to grip the road surface,” says Normand Latrémouille, Winter Category Manager for Michelin North America. “Winter tires offer drivers peace of mind on challenging winter roads - they're an investment in safety.”

Peace of mind on winter roads

Four properly installed winter tires mean improved vehicle response time, and this translates to safer winter driving. Studies have shown that vehicles equipped with winter tires have up to 25% shorter braking distance, which can improve collision avoidance by about 38%.

Advances in automotive technology mean that many vehicles are now equipped with features that improve control in hazardous winter driving conditions. Ultimately, these technologies are only as good as the traction offered by the four tires against the road surface.

“There is a common misconception amongst drivers that if their vehicle has antilock brakes, electronic stability control or all-wheel-drive, they don't need winter tires,” says Richard Spénard, a professional race car driver and spokesperson for Michelin North America. “But through extensive testing of the Michelin X-Ice, we've found that vehicles with these features brake and corner on slippery surfaces most effectively if they're equipped with four winter tires.”

Did you know that…?

· Snow cover for winter 2006/2007 across North America was above average

· Single-vehicle injury-producing collisions peak in November and December

· The percentage of loss of control involving one or more vehicles is much higher when the vehicles involved are equipped with all-season tires

· A proper winter tire can improve braking by up to 25 per over an all-season radial and can improve collision avoidance by about 38 per cent

· Typically the lowest temperature of the day occurs just after sunrise, which means most Canadians' morning winter commute occurs at the day's lowest temperature

· Single LTV rollovers cause more deaths and injuries to their occupants than automobile rollovers in proportion to the number of single-vehicle collisions

Michelin's Top 10 Winter Driving Tips

1. Avoid the winter slip n' slide - To ensure your vehicle is ready for Canada's changing winter weather, switch your all-season tires to winter tires before the temperature drops below 7°C. The cost of winter tires is equivalent to replacement all-season tires, but winter tires provide optimized performance and added safety for cold weather driving conditions. The braking distance of a winter tire can be up to two vehicle lengths shorter than an all-season tire at 24 km/hr in both wet and dry conditions. This can increase significantly if emergency braking is required.

2. Don't be a peephole driver - Scrimping on scraping might get you off to your destination faster, but it's a dangerous driving habit that must be broken. Leave yourself a few extra minutes to clear all the windows of your vehicle. And don't forget the top of the car - snow can slide down the windshield and obstruct your view once the car is in motion.

3. Winterize your trunk - Keeping a road safety kit in your trunk year-round is a smart idea, but winter driving conditions call for special safety gear. Ensure your vehicle is equipped with items like a windshield scraper, lightweight shovel and a bag of sand, candles, as well as extra warm clothes, gloves and a toque, so you're always prepared for whatever Old Man Winter throws your way.

4. Replace worn tires - It's important to check your tires each winter season because worn or bald tires can be dangerous. Tires have tread wear indicator bars moulded into the tread. A solid bar of rubber across the width of the tread means it's time to replace the tire. Contact your nearest tire dealership if you have any questions or concerns about your tires' wear.

5. Don't mix and match - Mixing tires with different tread patterns, different internal constructions and/or different sizes compromises the stability of the vehicle. Ensure your vehicle is equipped with four identical winter tires.

6. Top up your fluids - Make sure you always keep your gas tank at least half full. On very cold days, the condensation in the tank can freeze and cause problems. Also, don't forget about your windshield washer fluid.

7. Pump up your tires - For every 5°C temperature drop, tires lose one pound of air pressure. To ensure optimum fuel efficiency and prevent irregular or premature wear, tire inflation should be checked monthly.

8. Don't rely on four wheel drive or electronic systems - Advanced systems like four-wheel-drive, electronic stability control and anti-lock braking (ABS) are meant to provide vehicle stability and power transmission, but are not substitutes for winter tires. Winter tires offer optimized traction in all types of winter driving manoeuvres like braking, acceleration and handling. Remember, your brakes stop the wheels but it's the tires that have contact with the road, and ultimately stop the vehicle.

9. Bring a cell phone - For long-distance travel, don't forget to bring a cell phone in case you need to pull over to the side of the road, stop your vehicle and call for help.

10. Buckle up and adjust your driving to road conditions.

Posted 2008

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