Winter tires column

Winter tires column

 
Snow tires


Winter performance tires

Ice tires














Even if it doesn’t suit everyone, winter is upon us. Several regions of Quebec have already received snow and it is time to think about its winter tires. But before making a purchase, you have to ask yourself: What kind of winter tires do I need? There are actually three kinds of winter tires that go with your driving. If you live in a region and you constantly have to drive in more or less thick snow, you need a snow tire with a more aggressive footprint that will bite into the snow. If you live in a city and drive on open roads most of the time, you need an ice tire that contains several small sipes that help carry water away from the ice surface. Finally, if you have a more efficient vehicle, you need efficient winter tires.

But by the way, do you need new tires?

The answer will be yes if the tread thickness of the tire is less than 5 millimeters, or 6/32 of an inch to complicate it. The law requires a minimum of 1.6 millimeters, or 2/32 of an inch for a tire to still be considered legal, but if you have so little tread before the onset of winter, know that you risk it very quickly. to slide all over the road and your protection will quickly shrink. That's why we recommend a minimum of 5mm to be able to get through the winter. Generally speaking, a good set of tires will give you three seasons of good performance, then you should consider putting on 4 new tires.

Winter tire categories

Beyond the necessity, you have to know what you are going to install and this is where the puzzle begins. There are an impressive number of tire brands on the market and you quickly lose the common thread in this unfamiliar world. First, you have to take stock of your needs and know what use will be made of the tires, which will be our main source of safety. First, there are different price categories.

Good markets
Over the past decade, Chinese tire makers have taken the planet by storm. In North America, nearly 50% of all tires sold are made in China. However, that doesn't mean Chinese tires are bad. Several big brands like Michelin and Goodyear have factories in the land of the rising sun and build quality tires. In tires, quality is generally directly linked to the price paid. Discount tires which are usually sourced from China are not more dangerous than other tires, but the overall quality of the product is poorer. A softer, less efficient tire with shallower grooves which will result in faster wear. Their purchase is justified if you need tires for a year, or even two. Note that nearly 90% of car dealerships buy a lot of these tires to offer them on sale in the fall with the purchase or lease of a vehicle.

Intermediate models
For those who don't have a budget that allows them to buy a big brand tire, but want good safety, there is a middle ground. Many large manufacturers have so-called “cheap” brands. Michelin also owns B.F. Goodrich or Bridgestone, which owns Firestone. Well-known brands also offer slightly lower-end products or certain brands like General specialize in the mass market. The price paid is always your best indicator of quality

Big brands
Then come the big names like Nokian, Bridgestone, Michelin, Yokohama, Pirelli Vredestein or Dunlop which offer high-end products coated with particular technology such as nut shells at Toyo or the famous slats that Michelin has put forward with the ice tires. Now that you have decided how much you are going to pay for your four tires, you need to know what to do with them. Start by determining the number of kilometers you are going to cover. If you can afford to stay at home when the road conditions are not ideal, you can turn to a tire that is good quality, but offered at a more affordable price.

On the other hand, if you have to travel in any climate, it becomes important to invest accordingly. Among the tires that always come back to the top of all charts are the Bridgestone Blizzak WS 80 and the Nokian Hakkapelitta R2. More expensive, these tires provide optimal traction in both snow and ice. The Michelin X-Ice3, the Continental Winter Contac