With the weather conditions being what they are in Quebec, winter tires are a must. They are even legally required from December 1st until March 15th. But what features do winter tires offer? How do we measure tire wear? And notwithstanding the mandatory dates, when should you change your winter tires in Quebec?
Complexe VW 440, your Volkswagen dealership in Laval close to Terrebonne, Montreal North and the North Shore of Montreal, tells you all you need to know about winter tires!
Winter tires are easy to identify: they all have a pictogram of a three peak mountain with snowflake on their flanks. This symbol indicates that the tires are winter certified to provide you with a safe driving experience even in extreme winter conditions, and that they will maintain their properties even when temperatures plummet way below zero.
Although the mandatory period for winter tires is from the 1st of December to the 15th of March, it is strongly recommended to have them installed before this date and removed later than mid-March.
In fact, Mother Nature has a mind of her own, and we all know that snow storms can hit as early as October and as late as April, depending on where you live and where you travel. Obviously, a general rule would be that a driver living in an area to the South of the province of Quebec might be able to remove their winter tires sooner than someone living in the Northern parts of Quebec.
Winter tires come in several different types of models offered by numerous manufacturers. There is something for everyone’s taste, needs and budget.
Firstly, you will have to determine the tire size you need, by taking a look at the recommended dimensions in your owner’s manual or on the Volkswagen Canada website.
Then, you can select one or several models to meet your budget and needs. In fact, every vehicle is different and how you plan on using your tires is important too. If, for example, you have a subcompact car that you only drive in an urban setting, you won’t need the same type of tires you would need for a car you use for long drives on the highway or in the mountains.
Complexe VW 440 offers a vast selection of tires for sale in Laval; let us help you choose the best tires according to your needs and budget!
You will know the time has come to replace your tires depending on wear. How can you measure tire wear? There are a few possible methods.
Firstly, all tires have square shaped wear indicators that are positioned in the tire’s grooves. When the tread level is equal to the wear indicator –usually 2/32 of an inch (1.6 mm), your tires need to be replaced.
You can always use the good old quarter technique: insert a quarter (25 cents) in one of your winter tire’s grooves, with the caribou’s nose facing the tread. If you can see its snout, it means that your tires are no longer safe and the time has come to replace them.
A new tire has a tread with a depth of anywhere between 10/32 and 13/32 of an inch. Your tire’s groove depth must not be inferior to 1.6 mm. In winter, a depth of at least 4.8 mm is recommended.
Winter tires are easy to tell apart from summer tires, not only thanks to the pictogram mentioned above, but also because of their grooves. A winter tire has a specific type of tread with very deep sipes that are made to increase traction and grip levels in all road conditions (rain, snow, ice, mud, etc.).
As for summer tries, they are quite flexible, which allows them to grip efficiently onto dry roads. Moreover, sipes are specially designed to evacuate rain water efficiently, which helps minimize aquaplaning risks.
Some 4- season tires are certified so that they can be used during the winter too. This means they will boast the same three peak mountain pictogram as a winter tire. However, even if many of these can manage light snow, if they are not winter certified, using them will be illegal between December 1st and March 15th.
There is no perfect moment to purchase winter tires; however, don’t wait until the last minute! Not only will this allow you to avoid the rush, but otherwise, you might have to settle on tires that are more expensive than anticipated or of a lesser quality than what you were looking for!
Several tire manufacturers can claim to be worthy of this title. In fact, there are no bad winter tires and if, as a general rule, more expensive tires generally come with greater advantages, you should know that an entry-level or affordable tire model that is new, will always be much more efficient than a tire from a high-end brand that is nearing the end of its life!
No matter if it is to purchase or install your next summer or winter tires, book your appointment with us at Complexe VW 440 in Laval, close to the North Shore of Montreal, Montreal North and Terrebonne!
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