As winter approaches, the debate between all-season, all-weather, and winter tires becomes more prominent. Contrary to popular belief, all-season tires may not be the safest choice in colder climates, where temperatures often drop below 20 degrees Celsius. Let’s look at the 14 reasons to use winter tires in Calgary to ensure safety and performance during the Winter season.
1. Cold-Weather Flexibility
Winter tires are equipped with a rubber compound designed to remain soft in freezing temperatures. This flexibility allows the tires to conform to the road’s imperfections, providing optimal traction even in icy conditions.
2. Shorter Stopping Distances
Compared to all-season tires, winter tires significantly reduce stopping distances on ice, snow, or cold pavement. This can be a critical factor in preventing accidents, as shorter stopping distances can make a substantial difference in potential collisions.
3. Temperature Sensitivity
Winter tires outperform all-season and summer tires in temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius. As temperatures drop, the rubber in all-season and summer tires hardens, resulting in decreased traction. Winter tires are specifically designed to maintain maximum traction in freezing conditions.
4. Premium Winter Tires’ Performance
Investing in premium winter tires can offer superior performance due to advanced tread design and rubber technology. Premium tires may provide up to 15% better traction than standard winter tires.
5. Maximum Surface Contact
Winter tire design efficiently moves water away, creating a thin layer between the tire and the road surface. This ensures maximum contact with the road, reducing the risk of hydroplaning.
6. Low Hydroplaning Risk
Choosing narrower winter tires than summer models can reduce the risk of hydroplaning. Experts recommend downsizing by one or two tire widths, enhancing pressure on the surface, and minimizing hydroplaning.
Also read: Best Winter Tires for Calgary Weather
7. Excellent Braking and Cornering
While all-wheel drive aids acceleration, the braking and cornering capabilities on slippery surfaces are determined by tire traction. Winter tires offer superior braking and cornering capabilities, ensuring better control in challenging conditions.
8. Evolution of Winter Tire Performance
Over the past decade, winter tire performance has significantly improved, thanks to advanced rubber compounds. Ongoing research and development efforts continue to enhance essential properties, including heat buildup and wear.
9. Regaining Control of Black Ice
Ideal winter tires can adhere to black ice within their traction limits. In the event of a slide, maintaining focus on the road ahead and employing gentle control inputs can help regain control gradually.
10. All-Round Grip for Increased Bite
Some winter tires incorporate unique rubber blends for an increased bite. However, tread design and rubber compound quality remain crucial factors in overall grip performance.
11. Stability
Modern winter tire technology focuses on shallower treads with closely spaced grooves to maintain stability. This approach avoids the compromise between deep treads for snow and noise reduction.
12. Effective on Cold, Bare Pavement
Unlike studded tires, winter tires excel on cold, bare pavement, offering optimal performance in conditions where drivers spend the majority of their time during winter months.
13. Complex All-Inclusive Design
While the benefits of winter tires in Calgary are evident in testing, their intricate design considers various factors, including hysteresis and tread stability.
14. Emergency Adjustments
In emergency situations, reducing tire pressure may assist in gaining traction. However, this is a temporary solution, and drivers should reinflate tires to recommended pressures as soon as possible for overall vehicle stability.
Additional Considerations
- Tire Size Selection
Choosing the right size for winter tires is essential. Experts recommend selecting a size that is narrower than the summer models originally on your vehicle. This promotes increased pressure on the surface, aiding in navigating winter terrain more effectively.
- Tire Storage
Proper storage of off-season tires is often overlooked. Investing in tire storage bags and storing tires in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight can extend their lifespan and maintain optimal performance.
Conclusion
As winter roads pose unique challenges, selecting the right set of tires becomes a crucial aspect of ensuring safety, control, and performance. Understanding the benefits of winter tires empowers drivers to make informed choices, Shop winter tires from Urban Lube Calgary today to transform winter driving from a daunting task into a secure and confident experience.
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