For drivers wanting the safest winter driving experience, tire makers recommend winter tires.
The great Canadian winter is nearly upon us. Drivers from coast-to-coast are either changing over to winter tires, or trying to decide whether winter tires are right for them.
To help with this annual decision, Canada’s tire makers are giving consumers the facts with a winter tire and driving brochure available free from participating tire retailers and online at the industry’s tire education website betiresmart.ca.
In recent years, more and more drivers have chosen to invest in winter tires, and with good reason. Recent advances in winter tire technology offer motorists significant advantages, not just on snow or ice, but on cold dry road surfaces as well.
Rubber stiffens as temperatures get colder, reducing traction capability. Modern winter tire rubber compounds, however, keep their elasticity even at temperatures as cold as minus 30 degrees Celsius and lower. The result is superior traction and performance in all road conditions during winter compared to all-season or conventional summer tires.
“The idea that winter tires are only for snow or ice covered roads is old-fashioned thinking,” says Glenn Maidment, President of the Rubber Association of Canada (RAC), which represents Canada’s tire makers. “Drivers should think of winter tires as ‘cold weather’ tires that offer superior traction, braking and cornering in every winter driving condition, including dry surfaces. The surface grip advantage offered by winter tires becomes evident when temperatures fall below seven degrees Celsius. When you can see your breath, its time for winter tires.”
Since the late 1970s, all-season tires have been a popular choice for Canadian drivers. Even though all-season tires can provide safe all-weather performance, drivers need to know that winter tires are more efficient once the temperature starts to fall. Winter tires offer up to 50 per cent more winter traction than all-seasons.
Canada’s tire makers also advise motorists to use winter tires on all wheel positions. Using winter tires on the front or rear axle positions only can create a serious traction imbalance that can lead to a loss of control, particularly when cornering.
When shopping for winter tires, motorists should look for the “three peak mountain snowflake” on the sidewall. Only tires stamped with this distinctive symbol meet or exceed specific snow traction requirements established by the tire industry.
Another key to safe winter driving is proper tire inflation, which is more challenging to maintain in winter. Every five degree Celsius decrease in temperature results in a loss of about one psi in air pressure. A temperature drop of 15 degrees Celsius, for example, which can happen frequently in winter, typically results in 10 per cent under-inflation.
Tire under-inflation is a serious threat to vehicle safety. Under-inflated tires have a smaller footprint, which weakens their grip. The result is diminished braking and handling capabilities, not to mention significantly higher fuel bills due to increased rolling resistance.
Drivers should use a tire gauge to measure their air pressures monthly to ensure their tires are always inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation. Visual checks are not an accurate way to measure inflation.
Winter tire consumers should also remember that excessive tread wear can diminish traction. Tread depth should always be checked at the start of the winter driving season. Drivers who are unsure if their tires are overly worn should consult a tire professional.
Drivers can learn more about selecting and maintaining winter tires by visiting betiresmart.ca.
“Canada’s tire makers offer a wide variety of excellent winter tires,” says Maidment. “Drivers should consult with their local tire retailer to find the winter tire that is best suited to their driving habits and conditions. Motorists should also visit their tire retailer to get a copy of our brochure and learn more about how advances in winter tire technology have made the winter driving environment a safer place to be.”
Showing posts with label driving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label driving. Show all posts
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Monday, December 17, 2007
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
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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