Think winter tires are a marketing scam to sell more tires? Think again.

It's winter-tire season again. I can never understand why some people don't put on winter tires in this country. When I see a rear-end collision during the cold season, the vehicle likely didn't have the right tires and slid into the back of another. That's expensive. A set of winter tires would have been cheaper.

I once watched a car on Deerfoot Trail in January spin out in front of me and do a 180 before coming to a stop in the middle of my freeway. Luckily, my winter tires allowed me to make a quick stop without hitting him. I hope his next stop was at a tire store for his safety- and mine.

Traction is all important in winter. You might be able to get away with worn-out tires in the summer, but a good set of tires in winter (especially in Canada) is critical. “All Season” is a marketing term developed in the United States, where winters are milder. In Canada, they're more like “3-season” tires. The only good all-seasons carry a mud & snow rating and display a “M+S” marking on the sidewall.

Stopping distance and cornering traction are significantly increased using winter tires. That means a big difference between stopping safely and not rear-ending another vehicle. It's also the difference between staying on the road and not in the ditch. Check out the video to see why.

The best tires for winter have a mountain/snowflake emblem (see image) that indicates they meet sub-zero requirements. That mountain/snowflake symbol on the sidewall means that the tire meets the requirements of the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) and has been tested for "severe snow service.”

The secret of winter tires lies in the rubber compound and tread pattern. Rubber compounds on ice-rated tires are much more pliable and stay soft at lower temperatures when normal rubber will become stiff and hard, reducing traction. These tires start doing their job at about 7 degrees Celsius and keep working at -40.

Tread pattern is also key. If you look at the pattern on winter tires you'll notice many small lines cut into them. These “sipes” allow the tires to get below the liquid water film on top of the ice (which causes slippage) and get down to traction on the road surface. Think of those water molecules as ball bearings under your tires that reduce your traction and braking distance. You'll appreciate that siping when you're hitting the brakes on icy pavement.

For more tips and secrets about getting through winter with the right wheels and tires, contact one of our TIA-certified experts at Wheel Pro's by calling us at 403-226-7278.

Yours truly,

Jimmy "the Wheel"