Get a Grip

What to remember about winter tires

Buying tires can be confusing, with dozens of brands and types available. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Look for this mountain snowflake icon. This indicates a winter tire designed to retain traction at low temperatures.

Remember that “M & S” does NOT indicate a winter tire, even though it stands for “mud and snow.”

A sport-utility vehicle is not a substitute for winter tires. Four-wheel drive only helps when you’re accelerating or trying to get out of a snowbank. (Remember, all cars have four-wheel brakes.) Also, SUVs are much heavier than cars, and their extra momentum can make them much tougher to stop..

Anti-lock braking and Electronic Stability Control are not substitutes for winter tires. Having a computer pump the brakes is of minimal value if your tires are too hard to grip the ice.

Two winter tires are not enough; you need one on each wheel. Installing two winter tires at the front of a front-wheel drive car is actually a significant safety hazard.

Use winter tires whenever the temperature is 7 degrees celsius or lower.

Remember that, even though winter tires cost money, the purchase price is offset by the fact you’re going to go twice as far on the tires you own. You’ll have two sets of tires, remember.

Posted on January 30, 2008
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