Skip to content
Coalition for Safer Alberta Roads
  • About
    • Our Organization
    • The Alliance Members
  • Take The Pledge
  • Our Highways
    • Alberta’s Highway 63
    • Alberta’s Highway 881
    • Alberta’s Highway 40
    • Alberta’s Highway 43
  • Resources
    • Safety Moments
    • Media Room
  • Blog
  • Join The Alliance
  • 511 ALBERTA
  • AMA ROAD REPORTS
Safety Tips

Deflating Winter Tire Myths

SHARE
Twitter Share Icon Facebook Share Icon

Improve your car’s winter performance by installing winter tires. They’re designed with tread features like bigger grooves, biting edges, and even studs for improved gripping, particularly in sub-zero temperatures. So, if you are wondering – do I really need to put winter tires on my vehicle? Let’s put a few of popular myths to rest.

  1. “I don’t need winter tires because I have AWD or 4WD.”
    Your AWD and 4WD is great at getting your vehicle moving from a dead stop and accelerating smoothly in a straight line when the pavement is slippery; it does this by sending more power to the wheels getting the most traction and less power to the spinning wheels. However, if none of your tires has enough grip, if you don’t have enough traction in the first place, the system can’t compensate. It’s your tires that come in contact with the road, and it’s your tires that will determine how well you can maneuver in cold temperatures and winter conditions.
  2. “All season tires will do the trick!”
    To quote Transport Canada: “At temperatures below +7C, all-season tires begin to lose elasticity, resulting in reduced traction.” All season tires really should be renamed to ‘3 season tires’ because they are NOT winter tires. All-season tires are made with less natural rubber, so they stiffen once temperatures go below +7C, winter tires really help you get a grip on winter.
  3. “I can just drive slower.”
    While it’s always a good plan to adjust your driving to the current conditions, remember that you’re not the only driver on the road. If you need to brake quickly or steer to avoid a collision, in the end your tires are what will matter.
SHARE
Twitter Share Icon Facebook Share Icon

Related News

In the Community

Safety Moment: Winter Tire Safety

Get a grip on ice, snow, slush, rain, and cold weather this winter. Change to winter tires and you’ll have…

Read More
In the Community

Safety Moment: Intersection Safety

It’s time to brush up on the rules and safety guidelines surrounding intersections. Our team at the Coalition for Safer…

Read More

Subscribe for News

    The Safer Roads Alliance values your privacy. You can unsubscribe at any time.

    CONNECT
    • Facebook Share Icon
    • Twitter Share Icon
    • Highways Cams
      • Highway 63 Camera
      • Highway 881 Camera
      • Highway 40 Camera
      • Highway 41 Camera
    • Road Conditions
      • Highway 63 Conditions
      • Highway 881 Conditions
      • Highway 40 Conditions
      • Highway 41 Conditions
    • About
      • Our Organization
      • The Alliance Members
    • Pledge
      • Take The Pledge
    • Highways
      • Alberta’s Highway 63
      • Alberta’s Highway 881
      • Alberta’s Highway 40
      • Alberta’s Highway 43
    • Resources
      • Safety Moments
      • Media Room
    • Blog
      • Latest News
    • Road Reports
      • 551 Alberta
      • AMA Road Reports
    Connect
    • Facebook Share Icon
    • Twitter Share Icon
    © 2021 Coalition for Safer Alberta Roads