Time For Winter Tires In Kelowna BC

As winter months approach, it is vital to make sure that your home and vehicle are prepared. Switching to high-quality winter tires early on will help to ensure that you are ready for the inevitable snow and ice that blankets Kelowna through the season.

While your all season tires are fine for warmer temperatures, when the thermometer drops, so does their ability to function optimally. Winter tires use special rubber that stays flexible even during extreme cold. This flexibility is what allows the tire to maintain grip and you to control your car.

Sometimes called snow tires, winter tires are beneficial due to the temperatures and are useful even when the roads are cold and dry.

Because of the variety of cold weather conditions  seen in British Columbia, it is important that you select your winter tires accordingly. Your tires should have a pictograph featuring a snowflake inside of a mountain.

Snow Tires

Issued by the Rubber Association of Canada, this image assures that the tires will provide the appropriate traction, even when temperatures are frigid for days on end.

All season tire comes with a symbol of “M + S” on the side to indicate effectiveness for mud and snow. All-weather tires come with a mountain and snowflake.  These tires are softer than all season or summer tires, but harder than winter tires.  They are a high bred tire.  If you are on a limited budget and do not plan to drive often on the highways, this might be a suitable compromise as they can be run all year round..

Additionally, you need to make sure that you have selected the correct tire size for your vehicle. You should be able to make a sharp turn without the tires scraping the wheel well.  Tires need to be able support the weight and driving requirements of your vehicle.  Your tires should be sold to you based on fit first, and price second.

Although you are only legally required to replace the tires on your primary drive axle, most experts recommend changing all four tires for the winter. This will provide you with greater control.  Four wheel drive vehicles must have all four tires replaced, or serious damage could occur to the vehicle’s driveline.

Brigitte Diemand presenting to Babes In Business in Kelowna BC

Have your new winter tires mounted at the start of the winter season. Depending on how much you drive, the new tires should last two or three years, remember that tires will still need to be rotated every 10,000 kms.  Once the tread has dropped below 3.5 mm, you should replace the tires.  For winter this is not enough tread.

When it is time to change your tires back at the end of the winter, ask if the tires will be good enough for the next winter.  As an example, if the tires only have 5mm left, keep them on for the summer and use them up.  Once the next winter comes, new tires can be purchased.  This way the maximum life of the tires can be obtained.

At the end of each autumn, you need to change your tires to a set of high-quality winter ones that you leave on until spring when you can switch back to your all season ones. Doing so will provide you the early peace of mind for traveling the roads safely.

To be sure your tires are in good condition and the right kind for this winter in Kelowna and area please give us a call at Car Craft Automotive, we would be pleased to look at them for you.
We make sure you have Traction!