Your all-season season tires just won’t do the job, if you want to avoid a personal injury this winter you’ll need winter tires, here’s why.
Driving in the winter is dangerous for everyone, even the most experienced drivers. Canadian winters aren’t typically the friendliest nor the most predictable. Heavy overnight snowfalls can overwhelm regular winter road maintenance leaving unplowed and slippery roads on your commutes. Winterizing your vehicle for the winter months is crucial for preventing personal injury, and preparing yourself for the unexpected winter wraths the season may unleash.
Snow tires aren’t required by law in Ontario. It may be tempting to keep your all-seasons or all-weathers on to save money and storage space. However, by doing so, you are increasing your risk of a personal injury.
All-season tires aren’t meant for all seasons
Whoever named ‘all-season’ tires as such had clearly never driven during a Canadian winter. The design of all-season tires provides the best traction and ride quality during hot and rainy weather. Unfortunately, the traction on these tires stands no chance against snow and slush.
When the temperature outside drops below freezing, these tires have a tendency to harden; rendering their traction almost entirely useless. Without the proper traction, you become more likely to skid and lose control of your vehicle. Suppose this were to happen when turning a corner or approaching a stop sign or intersection. In that case, it could result in a severe or devastating personal injury to yourself or someone else.
All-weather vs. winter tires
All-weather tires, yet again, are very deceptive when it comes to their name, but not quite as much as all-season. All-weather tires want to be winter tires; they even have the same mountain and snowflake identifier. However, when a heavy snowfall comes, and the temperatures drop uncomfortably below freezing, they just can’t do the job. They also can’t protect you from a personal injury the same way that winter tires can.
Back injuries can be a personal injury that you are more susceptible to with these tires. They can’t grip and get unstuck from the snow the same way winter tires can, making it more likely that you’ll have to get out and push. All-weather tires are more suitable in areas where snowfall is minimal, and temperatures are less likely to drop below freezing for a long time.
The most significant difference between all-weather tires and winter tires is that all-weathers can make it through a very mild winter. While they are better than all-season tires, they can be considered equally as likely to put you at risk of a personal injury. Still, winter tires can make it through virtually all degrees of winter weather.
The technology in winter tires will save you from a personal injury
So, what makes winter tires better than other tires? How do they provide more safety and prevent personal injury? It comes down to technology. Every type of tire is made differently, including their rubber, tread pattern, and groove size.
The rubber used to make winter tires allows the tire to be more flexible in colder temperatures, which provides you with more control of your vehicle. They have wider grooves and a different tread pattern than the other tires that enhance their traction. Their traction in the ice and snow is up to 50% higher than all-season tires. Traction is essential when you need to brake suddenly or if you need to turn suddenly to avoid an accident (and also prevent a possibly serious personal injury).
They aren’t called winter tires for no reason; manufacturers design them very specifically to optimize your vehicle’s control and efficiency in the winter. Winter tires are the only type of tire able to effectively reduce your risk of a car accident-related personal injury like whiplash, broken bones, a head injury, or worse. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. You will thank yourself for getting winter tires when you get stuck in a snow or ice storm. You will be substantially more comfortable with your vehicle and your driving under these conditions.