Before the snow hits, many are asking the question, "Should I get snow tires?" The following are reasons why you should consider doing so:
1. Tires have context: Different kinds of tires have a temperature range that is most optimal. A summer tire's performance is maximized in the heat; an all-season is best in moderate temperatures; and a snow tire performs best when it's cold.
2. Take the 7-degree Celsius test: Most tires will perform equally at 7-degrees Celsius and above. Below that, the all-season loses traction, hence the need for a winter tire whose performance is greater at such temperatures.
3. The Compounds: Winter tires have rubber compounds that maximize traction in cold weather--the other tires do not.
4. Overall cost: Winter tires wear very little in cold weather, whereas all-season tires wear out faster. Some experts maintain that switching between winter and seasonal tires throughout the years lowers your overall tire costs over time.
5. Insurance discount: In Ontario, there's an insurance discount offered, beginning January 1, 2016, albeit a rather insignificant one that pays off the winter tires after about 8 years, according to the Toronto Star.
6. Avoid a bad accident: Will having winter tires eliminate the chances of accident? No, certainly not; for it doesn't follow that having winter tires necessitates perfect driving. But what if your chances of accident were greatly reduced? Would you buy them then?
These are some very compelling reasons to fit your vehicle with winter tires, if you haven't already. Nevertheless, some still find shelling out $800, give or take, for such tires to override the pros of having them. Some say they swear by them; many others get by without them.
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