Trail Tire Auto Centers - Calgary

No one enjoys having to drive in the typical Canadian winter weather: cold, snow, rain, ice, ect. However, there is a great solution to help ease winter driving: winter tires.

Wondering if winter tires are worth the investment? Stop by Trail Tire Auto Centers Falconridge in Calgary today or give us a call so we can explain the difference they make while driving, to help keep you safer on the road.

Winter Tires’ Special Rubber Compound & Flexible Tread

The biggest difference between all season tires and winter tires, is that winter tires are created with a special rubber compound that is designed to stay flexible in cold temperatures, which keeps the tire in contact with the road giving you better traction in wintery conditions. All season tires don’t have this compound, so when temperatures go below 7°C all season tires become hard and rigid and can lose traction with the road. Winter tires are highly recommended for anyone driving in cold weather conditions.

Designed with Sipes

Another difference between winter and all season tires is the sipes. Sipes are small slits in tires that push snow and water away from the tire. Winter tires have larger and deeper sipes to move water and snow faster, helping with acceleration as well as reduce braking distances on wet, snow covered and slippery roads.

Look for the Snowflake Symbol

In order to know if your tires are winter certified, look for the snowflake emblem on the side of your tire. Created by the Rubber Association of Canada and the Rubber Manufacturers’ Association, this stamp validates that the tire meets the specific snow traction requirements and is approved to drive in snow and icy conditions.