2020 has come with a lot of changes to our regular routines, including the switching of our tires. A survey done by Kal Tire showed that a lot of people missed their regular Spring tire change because of Covid19. 60% of those that did change their tires over plan to wait until snow is actually forecast to book their appointments to switch back to Winter tires this fall.
“In either case, that’s a lot of drivers in unsafe driving situations” says Mike Butcher, regional director for urban retail stores.
When to make the switch:
- You can safely switch over to winter tires as soon as the average daily temperature is +7 degrees or lower – in most Canadian cities this means you can have your Winter tires installed in early fall and compromising wear
- Book your appointments early! Due to extra sanitation protocols and less people allowed in the waiting rooms at a time, getting in for your tire switch may require booking more in advance than previous years
- Only tires with the Mountain Snowflake symbol are safe for Winter conditions. Driving with tires that do not have this can greatly increase your stopping time, give you less control on turning and will not give you what has been deemed a safe grip on icy/freezing roads or slush.
- Kal Tire recommends having winter tires inspected before cold temperatures set in to make sure they have enough tread or grip for safe Winter driving
See the expert’s opinions on what safe Winter tire options are here.
Winter tires that have been on throughout the Summer: Running winter tires throughout the Summer can reduce your tire life by as much as 50%
More info on year-round use of Winter tires can be found here.
Keep in mind: as soon as we get the first good snowfall, tire change appointments will book up quick! Getting your winter tires on sooner than later is the best way to be prepared for colder temperatures (and busier store environments), and to avoid the rush when the snow sets in for the season.
Visiting a Kal Tire near you:
Did you know? Kal Tire will check your tire pressure, check if you need wheel alignment and check your tread depth for FREE! Drop in to any Kal Tire for these services, or call ahead to book a time to drop by.
Thinking about getting new tires this season? If you don’t know your tire size or exactly what you’re looking for, use the Kal Tire guide to find the right size for your vehicle, and give you multiple tire options with prices here.
No matter which tires you have on your vehicle, always drive according to the road conditions.
This post was sponsored by Kal Tire.
Photo credit: Global News BC