Winter Tires or Not? The Debate Ends Here

With winter around the corner, it's time to bring out your skates, skis, and winter tires. Until the government of B.C. made it compulsory for drivers to have winter tires on their cars, you’d find even the closest of friends on opposite sides of the fence when it came to the usefulness of swapping out your tires. At Vancouver Honda, as car aficionados who only want the best for your car – we say you do! Read on to learn why changing your tires according to the season is one of the kindest (and safest!) things you can do for your car.

Do You Really Need Snow or Winter Tires in Vancouver?

Well, you know our answer is yes. But there are plenty of reasons why. Even if the city doesn’t get a lot of snow, you’ll find plenty of it just a short drive away. You need winter tires to drive your Honda safely on many of the highways around B.C. Enter those roads with your usual tires on and you can get fined a hefty sum too. They help with insurance too – especially if you get into a situation that could have been avoided simply by upgrading to winter tires.

Why Can’t I Use My All-Season Tires?

Good question. All season tires aren’t really meant for every single season – especially slippery conditions. The tread patterns are not deep enough to give you great grip.

Winter tires on the other hand, have deep treads, giving the snow and rain somewhere to go, allowing your wheels to get closer to the road. The deep treads can wear out faster on bare roads, so its always a good idea to change back later.

The Rubber is Different Too!

The constitution of the rubber in the two types of tires is different too. All season tires are made from hardy rubber that softens to grip the road as they heat up on the road. However, this means they get even harder when the weather gets colder. Winter tires, on the other hand, are soft right from the start to give you the grip you need while navigating icy roads.

Doesn’t Having Two Sets of Tires Double Up My Costs?

Well… Yes and no. Having to get winter tires for your Honda in Vancouver does need an initial investment. However, since you won’t be using your all-season tires in winter, you’re actually protecting them from potential damage on wintery roads and thereby extending their life. So, even if you don’t save money in the long term – you’re still even. Plus, you can’t put a price on the safety of your family!

Where Can I Get Winter Tires?

Your winter tires need to be replaced every 55,000 kilometres or so. If you haven’t kept track of your mileage on those tires, then a look at the tire tread and ‘wear bars’ will tell you if it's time to change. A simple way to do this is to use the ‘caribou check’. Insert a quarter into the tire tread with the nose of the caribou down. If you can see the tip of the nose, it's time to change your tires.

If you’re unsure about whether you need to change your tires or what make and model is perfect for your car, bring it down to Vancouver Honda today and our tire specialists will be happy to help you out. Alternatively, you can order your tires online with some great discounts.

With the Dilawri Tire Program, when you purchase a set of Tires at the Best Price Guaranteed, you’ll receive the best coverage available. Get in touch to learn more.