Safety First: Choosing the Right Tires for Your Vehicle
Saskatchewan winters can be long, cold and very unpredictable causing many drivers uncertainty
on the road. Ice and snow-covered roads, along with high winds and low visibility are an ongoing
concern for many Saskatchewan residents and often times we are exposed to many high-risk
driving situations. With this in mind, installing winter tires should be something all residents do
without question, but many of us still wonder if it really makes a difference. The answer is a
definite YES!
Be informed this winter and know your tires. Most importantly, take the first step towards safe
winter driving—install winter tires on your vehicle today!
Type of Tire:
Type of Tire:
Type of Tire:
Winter Tire
All-Weather Tire
All-Season Tire
Description:
Description:
Description:
Winter tires are constructed with a
special compound that allows them
to retain more elasticity in cold
temperatures. Technologically
engineered tread designs prevent
snow build-up and improve ice and
snow traction—providing your
vehicle with a better grip and
control on the road.
All-weather tires are a hybrid of
winter tires and all-season tires
and are ideal for those who
commute in urban areas. They are
capable of performing in all four
seasons and are suitable for
winter.
All-Season tires provide a good
balance of quiet, comfort, fuel
efficiency and handling. They are
best used for driving on wet and
dry pavement, but do not perform
well on snow or ice-covered roads.
Suitable for Winter:
Suitable for Winter:
YES
Suitable for Winter:
NO
Need to Change Seasonally:
Seasonally:
YES
Need to Change Seasonally:
Need to Change Seasonally:
Seasonally:
Can be safely left on the vehicle all
year round.
Recommend changing in the fall
and spring and storing during the
winter driving season.
Recommend changing and storing
outside of winter driving season to
preserve life of tires.
Benefits:
Benefits:
Very effective in harsh winter
driving conditions; ideal for driving
in urban environments.
Most effective in mild climates;
superior fuel efficiency.
Benefits:
Most effective in harsh winter
driving conditions; prevents snow
build-up; improves ice and snow
traction.
Remember:
•
Modern winter tires have at least 50% more traction than all-season tires. At 7 degrees Celsius all-season tires begin to
harden and lose their grip while winter tires are designed to stay soft as the temperature drops.
•
Tires marked with the Mountain Snowflake symbol meet or exceed industry established snow traction
performance requirements, and have been designed specifically for use in cold weather and severe snow
conditions.
•
Vehicles with only two winter tires will significantly underperform those with matching winter tires on all positions.
Having matching winter tires on all four wheel positions will significantly improve your chances of avoiding a winter
collision accident because of their better braking and handling abilities.
Visit www.sasksafety.org for more information on safe winter driving.