The winter season is quickly approaching and it’s time to start thinking about changing your tires!
When it comes to the winter season, it’s important to take extra precautions when driving. The weather conditions and cold temperatures have a drastic effect on the function of your regular car tires. So, it’s important to consider changing to winter tires once the temperature starts to drop even if you don’t see the snow!
Why are winter tires so important?
Many parts of Canada and the United States experience extreme winter conditions that make driving very difficult and hazardous. Although all-season tires can somewhat navigate through snow and ice, they may not fully perform well in extreme cases; making winter tires a necessity on the road.
Studies show that at 7° C (44° F), the rubber on all-season tires will stiffen up and begin to have less traction on the road.
Enoch Omololu states that “the main difference between winter and all-season tires is in the rubber compound used to make them. Winter tires are made of softer rubber that remains flexible when temperatures drop and maintain a grip on the road. In addition, winter tires have deeper threads that allow for a bigger bite and traction on snow and ice.”
Where are winter tires mandatory?
In Canada there are only two provinces that have legal regulations for winter tires:
British Columbia
- Many roads in BC require winter OR all-season tires between October 1st and March 31st
- Some places outside of the Greater Vancouver and Victoria regions (mountainous regions) require tire chains/studded tires
- A failure to follow these requirements will result in a fine of $109
Quebec
- The previous mandatory date for changing to winter tires was December 15th but has been moved up to December 1st through to March 15th as of 2019, in efforts to increase road safety and encourage other parts of Canada to follow by example
- This includes every type of motorized vehicle
- Failure to comply with this regulation may result in a fine between $200-$300
United States
Throughout the United States there are no regulations that legally require you to have winter tires. However, it’s recommended that people driving within the Snow Belt, an area subject to low temperatures and heavy snowfalls, should consider changing to winter tires.
How can the Jack and Jill of All Tires help?
Of course it’s simple to make an appointment at your local mechanic to get your winter tires changed. But why go through the inconvenience of taking time off work and waiting around because of the inevitable delays, just to do it all again in 5 months time? With the Jack and Jill of All Tires you can change your tires on your own schedule.
The average cost of a tire change is $60 CAD, and that’s just for one car for one season! The minimum cost of having your tires changed for you would be around $120 CAD, and at a retail price of $220 CAD, the Jack and Jill of All Tires will pay for itself within two years. Now imagine the time and money you’ll save if you have more than one car to maintain!
- Having a mechanic change your tires could take hours.
- Changing them on your own could take 40 minutes.
- And ordering a Jack and Jill will only take 5!
Order your Jack and Jill of All Tires today and change your tires by the weekend.
