Remember last winter? It started early and certainly had some staying power. You can never predict what the weather has in store, and so Michelin advises Canadian motorists to be prepared for inclement winter weather conditions by considering the following winter tire tips.


Don't wait until the last minute

Visit an authorized Michelin tire retailer to have your winter tires installed and balanced before the first snowfall. If your winter tires are already mounted on a set of rims, keep an eye on the weather to ensure you make the switch before facing winter driving conditions.



Get your tires on early: No one can accurately predict the first snowfall

We've all seen the fender-benders that a first snowfall is most often responsible for on TV. The temperature is usually around the freezing point, when ice is almost water, making road conditions extremely slippery. It's in these quasi-ice conditions that you need the most friction and traction between the road and your tires. Getting your tires on early also guarantees a more pleasant and speedy retail experience.

Michelin's Alpin winter tire line features a high-compliance tread rubber compound that provides important friction. Tires maintain their elasticity and traction down to -40°C, compared to summer tires that start to harden and lose their elasticity and road-holding ability at about 0°C.



Use four winter tires

Don't give your vehicle a split personality – you should always use four winter tires on rear-wheel, front-wheel, all-wheel, or four-wheel drive vehicles. If you use two different types of tires, one end of the vehicle won't react and perform in the same way as the other end will on dry, wet, ice, slush and snow surfaces. This is especially true in emergency situations when you'll find that your vehicle will probably under-steer in one condition and over-steer in another. It is preferable to keep your vehicle's handling as consistent as possible by "matching" all four tires.



Make sure your tires are in good condition

Have your tires checked for tread depth. A tread depth of 4.4mm (5/32) should be sufficient to effectively perform during the winter. Winter tires generally have a deeper tread depth to begin with. Since you use them only during winter months, they'll retain an effective tread life for three or four winters.



4x4s/SUVs

4x4s and SUVs seem to accelerate and handle better on slippery roads, giving drivers a false sense of security. Be aware that 4x4s/SUVs are usually heavier and have a higher centre of gravity than conventional vehicles, increasing braking distances and reducing lateral stability in curves. Slow down and install 4x4/SUV winter tires to keep your vehicle out of the ditch and right-side up! Michelin's Alpin winter tire line includes specially-designed tires for your SUV or 4x4.

- News Canada

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