. Winter tires offer a combination of specialized tread designs and compounds providing effective traction in Canada's difficult winter conditions (i.e. snow, ice, sleet, rain and low road-surface temperatures). At temperatures below 7°C, standard compound tires begin to lose elasticity, resulting in reduced traction.
Winter tire compounds retain elasticity to grip at much lower temperatures. Typical winter tread designs have larger grooves and tread blocks that have many more sipes than the typical all season tire.
Tires marked with the RAC mountain snowflake symbol molded on the sidewall have been tested to provide a minimum 10 per cent better traction in severe snow conditions. Many winter tires provide 30 to 50 per cent better traction in winter conditions.
. Caution - winter tires should be installed in sets of four. Failure to follow this recommendation could result in severe and dangerous handling conditions.
Visit betiresmart.ca or vehicles.gc.ca for more tips on tire selection and maintenance.
