Every year, Canadian drivers are reminded to switch to specialized winter tires for safer cold-weather driving. With so much fuss made about making the swap, you may have wondered: What do winter tires actually do? How do they differ from regular summer/performance tires? Can’t you just leave all-season tires on year-round? The experts at Heffner Toyota are here to answer your questions, so keep reading to learn all you need to know about winter tires, why you need them, and when to change them for the best results. Need a new set of winter tires before the cold weather hits? Visit our tire centre to browse our selection, learn about our tire types, and book your seasonal tire swap with our Toyota-certified technicians!
Winter tires are an essential part of your Toyota’s cold-weather toolkit. Crafted from a softer rubber compound and equipped with a deeper tread than their summer/performance counterparts, winter tires are designed to push snow away and offer superior grip on roads that are slippery with ice and slush. Traction is your best friend for staying on course and braking on time when you’re running the roads in winter, especially with the amount of errands and family get-togethers filling your calendar, so a dedicated set of winter tires is invaluable for getting from A to B safely.
When Should You Switch to Winter Tires?
7°C is the magic number for changing to winter tires. This is because winter tires have a softer makeup than summer/performance tires, so they stay pliant and don’t get brittle once winter temperatures start to turn freezing. For best results, we advise that you keep an eye on the weather forecast and watch for when temperatures pass 7°C and stay there. This way, you’re thinking about changing your tires before snow hits the ground, and can schedule your service appointment that comfortably fits your schedule without getting caught up in the last-minute rush. You also ensure yourself a safer journey to our tire centre, as the roads won’t be slippery yet. What’s more, we’ll store your off-season tires for you in our dedicated, temperature-controlled tire storage facility, ensuring they hold their shape and will be ready to go as soon as you need them again.
