Released December 13, 2007 - Video Illustrates Significant Benefits of Winter Tires

MISSISSAUGA, ON, December 13, 2007 – Winter tires have evolved substantially in recent years and demonstrate superior performance in traction, handling and stopping, compared with conventional all season tires. To demonstrate the serious safety advantages winter tires provide motorists, Transport Canada, the Automobile Protection Agency (APA) and the Rubber
Association of Canada (RAC), teamed up to create a series of videos that clearly demonstrate how winter tires drastically improve winter driving.

“Winter tires are not just for getting through snow, they are specifically designed for road conditions when temperatures reach below 7 degrees Celsius,” says Gilles Paquette, Communications Manager, The Rubber Association of Canada (RAC). “At colder temperatures, conventional allseason tires begin to lose elasticity, resulting in reduced traction, longer stopping
distances and reduced handling and cornering capability. The new ‘winter’ tires retain their
elasticity to grip roads at much lower temperatures.”

To demonstrate how four winter tires make a dramatic impact on a driver’s ability to stop and remain in control of a vehicle, the RAC teamed up with a group of experts from Transport Canada and the APA to develop video footage that demonstrates exactly what these differences mean. Winter tires out performed all season tires consistently on cornering and braking trials, conducted on a snow packed ice surface track near Ottawa last winter. The trials were captured on video to demonstrate the advantages.

Consumers are encouraged to learn more about safe winter driving and the importance of winter tires by viewing a series of video clips on the Be Tire Smart website http://www.betiresmart.ca/

The videos are divided into the following sections:
1- Introduction by the Automobile Protection Association (APA)
2- All Wheel Drive Truck Tests
3- Rear Wheel Drive Car Tests
4- Rear Wheel Drive Car vs. Truck Tests
5- Front Wheel Drive Car Tests
6- Summary

Some facts about winter driving from Transport Canada and the Rubber Association of Canada:

Vehicle handling will be improved when tires of the same type, size, speed rating and load index are installed on all four wheel positions.

Winter Tires marked with the pictograph of a peaked mountain with a snowflake meet specific snow traction performance requirements, and have been designed specifically for use in
severe snow conditions.

Tires marked "M + S" – or "mud and snow" tires, also known as "all-season" tires— continue to provide safe all-weather performance, but may not always be suitable for severe winter conditions including cold temperatures, snow and ice.

Winter tires have evolved to enhance the wide variety of safety features now available on newer vehicles. These include vehicle stability assist, ABS and electronic brake distribution systems.

Wide, high performance tires, other than those that are specifically designed as winter tires, are not suitable for use on ice and snow covered roads.

Remember:

• Install four winter tires - To help maintain control and stability of your vehicle in icy conditions, Transport Canada and the Rubber Association of Canada recommend that you install winter tires in sets of four. Installing only two winter tires on the drive wheels is NOT recommended as unmatched tires will hamper vehicle stability, braking and cornering.

• Mixing tires with different tread patterns, internal construction, and size degrades the stability of the vehicle and should be avoided.

• As a tire wears, snow traction is reduced. Winter tires that are half worn have reduced traction and should be considered similar to an allseason tire on snow-covered roads or in severe snow conditions.

• Proper air pressure extends tread life, improves safety, and reduces fuel consumption — all vital factors in saving energy and protecting the environment. Tire pressure decreases as temperatures drop, so be sure to measure the pressure in your tires at least once a month when they are cold, preferably when the car has been driven less than 2 km or parked for
at least 3 hours.

For more information about proper tire maintenance, go to www.betiresmart.ca

Founded in 1920, The Rubber Association of Canada is the national trade association of the rubber industry. Its members include those who produce tire and non-tire rubber products as well as suppliers to the industry.

Contact:

Gilles Paquette, The Rubber Association of Canada
(905) 814-1714, gilles@rubberassociation.ca

Jane Wilcox, Xposure PR Inc.
(905) 464-4435, jane@xposurepr.com

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