Reader’s breaking out the winter tires!

Hey, everybody! Reader here, and I guess it’s time.

Over the last couple of weeks, it’s been getting frosty enough overnight, that the ol’ wiper fluid trick doesn’t work to clear the windshield. I’ve had to let the car warm up for a couple of minutes, and dig my scraper out of the trunk, to scrape.

Of course, if I would just be a little less lazy, and walk the four or five blocks to work every day, it’s a be a moot point. But that’s another topic for another day.

But last Wednesday morning, I walked outside to see the first (very light) snowfall of the season.

Not really what I wanted to see when I stepped outside first thing in the morning on November 6th, but, I s’pose it had to happen sometime!

But now, things are getting a little more icy and a more frosty. And the snow is inevitable.

One thing I haven’t done yet, is to put my winter tires on my car, affectionately known as “Quicksilver.”

I’ll be making a trip home to the farm this weekend, and that will be one of my priorities while I’m there. Fortunately, my Dad has all the tools I’ll need. The floor jack, wheel blocks, impact driver, and a mallet (in case any of the wheels is stubborn, and needs a little persuading to come off!) I’ll just set up in the driveway, and get the job done, lickety split!

One very nice thing, is that I have my winter tires on a separate set of rims, so I don’t need to actually change the tires on the rim. Pop the summer tires off, put on the winter ones. Easy peasy!

I just go with the standard winter tires. Some of my brothers go with all-season or all weather tires.

Now, I’m no expert, and really don’t know what the difference between the two is. I put the question to our handy-dandy AI assistant, and here’s what it came up with:

All-season tires and all-weather tires are both designed to handle a variety of road conditions, but they have distinct differences that cater to different needs:

1. ALL-SEASON TIRES:

Purpose: Designed for year-round use in regions with mild weather conditions. They provide a compromise between summer and winter tires.

Performance: Offers decent performance in both dry and wet conditions but may struggle in severe winter weather like snow and ice.

Tread Design: Features a moderate tread depth and rubber compound that remains flexible in a range of temperatures but not optimized for extreme cold.

Ideal for: Drivers in regions with light winter conditions, where severe snow and ice are infrequent.

2. ALL-WEATHER TIRES:

Purpose: Built to provide reliable performance in a wider range of conditions, including more severe winter weather.

Performance: Offers improved traction on snow and ice compared to all-season tires, essentially bridging the gap between all-season and winter tires.

Tread Design: Features a more aggressive tread pattern and a rubber compound that stays flexible in colder temperatures, often carrying the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, which indicates certification for severe snow service.

Ideal for: Drivers in regions with moderate to severe winter weather, who want a single tire solution without swapping to dedicated winter tires.

In summary, if you live in an area with mild winters, all-season tires might suffice. However, if you face harsher winter conditions, all-weather tires can provide safer and more reliable performance.

Maybe a little visual aid might help, courtesy of the Alberta Motor Association…