BCAA

18 BCA A .COM FALL 2018 Getty Images, iStock Tire types explained We spoke to Steve Carpino, Senior Consultant on Product Design and Development for Pirelli Tire North America, about the main categories of tire available to BC consumers: All-season tires: Formulated for a balance of attributes like comfort, noise and traction in wet, dry and light-snow conditions, all-seasons usually come with a high tread-wear rating, meaning excellent longevity. A better name would be "three-season tires," however, as their rubber hardens and loses grip below 7°C. Winter tires: Created with softer rubber that maintains grip in temperatures below 7°C, winter tires boast a level of cold- weather traction superior to all other types. The three-peak mountain symbol (see above) on the sidewall means the tire has passed a government-regulated test for traction on medium-packed snow. Some winter tires come with metal studs that dig into ice, although there are laws governing when and where you can use them (in BC, tires with studs up to two millimetres are allowed on highways October 1 to April 30). Mud and snow tires: A variety of all-season tire (identifiable by the "M+S" designation on the sidewall), these are designed with blockier and deeper grooves for evacuating mud and snow. As well, extra siping, or small cuts across the tread four to seven millimetres deep, open to bite the road surface (see the diagram on p. 20). All-weather tires: "Think of these as all-seasons with a focus on the more extreme winter conditions of snow, ice and low temperatures," says Carpino. These are an option for drivers in frigid climates who want a year-round tire, as the rubber compound is designed to stay flexible above and below 7°C. Yet they can't provide the same level of cold-weather performance as true winter tires, and they typically wear more quickly in warm weather than traditional all-seasons. High-performance tires: Sometimes known as summer tires, these are usually found on sport- or premium-segment vehicles. They're capable of travelling at high speeds and designed to yield a high level of steering response and wet-dry traction. "The improved steering response may give a slightly harsher [or bumpier] ride compared to the all-season range of tires," says Carpino. (right) A vehicle's safe cornering and braking depends on the condition of its tires; (inset above) winter tires, identifable by the three-peak mountain symbol, sport deep grooves to channel away snow, as well as a soft rubber compound that stays grippy under 7°C; (below) all-season tires are really "three-season tires" that perform best above 7°C. SIDEWALL HEIGHT

• Cover