There’s no substitute for winter tires.
That’s the message, Melanie Trottier, regional marketing planner for the Ministry of Transportation’s eastern region, wants to get across.
She says that while some people might leave their all-seasons on for the winter, that’s a bad idea. Trottier says that all-seasons begin losing grip at 7 degrees. All-season tires are made of a harder compound, which is great for driving in the summer, but not in the winter, Trottier says. Winter tires are a softer compound, which means they’ll be more flexible in cold weather, she says. Also, the treads on winter tires have groves in them that allow for better driving through wet, slushy conditions.
“I like to think winter tires are likes shoes,” Trottier says. She continues, “If you need to put on boots to go for a walk in winter, you should also put on winter tires.”
For more winter driving tips, go to the Ministry of Transportation’s website.
Written by: Mathew Reisler