All-Wheel Drive Vehicles Don’t Need Winter Tires, Right? Wrong
In a climate such as what we have in Markham, Ontario, it is crucial to have winter tires come winter, and this is true even if you drive an all-wheel vehicle.
The Necessity Of Winter Tires
This is Canada. Winters are quite cold and snowy here. But in the GTA, we have snowplows and road salt, plus it does not get that cold here, compared to other spots in Canada, at least. So, do you really need winter tires? Can’t you just use all-season tires throughout the winter?
The answer is. . .no. At AutoNiche, we strongly recommend winter or all-weather tires to our customers. Despite their name, all-season tires are not really suitable for all four Ontario seasons. This is because all-seasons lose their gripping efficiency once the temperature drops to seven degrees Celsius. It is not rare to dip below that temperature by late October in Markham. That is why it is wise to switch to winter tires before the freezing weather hits.
What Makes Winter Tires Special?
Winter tires are composed of different rubber compounds from what are used in other tires. They also have special tread patterns, designs, and siping, and these features enable them to provide traction even in extreme cold. You should buy the best snow tire for your particular vehicle. However, the best winter tire for an all-wheel vehicle may not be the best for a rear-wheel vehicle, for example.
All-Wheel Vehicles And Winter Tires
Whether your vehicle is front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or four-wheel drive, can influence which winter tire is best suited to you. Some people think that all-wheel drive vehicles do not really need winter tires. Their logic is that, when a car gets stuck in a snowbank or loses tracking on an icy surface, there will be at least two other tires that have power on an all-wheel drive vehicle.
But this logic simply does not hold up. While being able to deliver power directly to each of your tires may make getting stuck in a snowbank less likely, it does not address the reduced efficiency of each wheel. An all-wheel drive car with four all-season tires still cannot grip the road properly and can skid all over the place. That is why getting a decent set of snow tires is still the sensible move. And the tire experts at AutoNiche can suggest the best winter tires for your vehicle and driving style.
What About All-Weather Tires?
Despite their similar names, all-weather tires are not the same as all-seasons. All-weathers are rated for winter driving in Canada. The embossed snowflake pictogram on all-weather tires denotes their suitability for winter driving. However, not all all-weathers necessarily offer the same features as some winter tires.
Come To AutoNiche For Winter Tires In Markham
If you are in the Markham area, there is no need to keep searching for winter tires near you. Just come to AutoNiche! To book an appointment to have snow tires installed on your vehicle, for all-wheel drive maintenance, or for any other automotive service, please click here. To learn more about any of our services, please contact us via our website or call us at 905-205-0228.