Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/728142
Installing only two winter tires isn't a good idea. Mismatched tires can negatively affect stability and handling. "Vehicle handling is optimal when you have tires of the same type, size, speed and load rating on all four wheels," says Miller. Uneven grip between the front and back can cause your car to lose control in a corner, and it reduces the effectiveness of anti-lock brakes and traction- control systems. FALL 2016 BCA A .COM 31 Winter Tire Cheat Sheet ON THE ROAD Winter Tires p.31 | Drive Smart p.33 Misconceptions about tires are all too common. So sit back and let Stu Miller, Senior Operations Manager with BCAA Automotive, take you to school. Cold temperatures decrease air pressure. You lose about 1 psi in your tires for every 5°C drop in temperature. In cold weather, check your tire pressure more often, and add air to counteract the drop. Check pressure when your tires are cold, says Miller, because driving can warm the air and temporarily raise pressure. Even if your vehicle is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), check pressure manually, with a high-quality gauge (and don't forget the spare). Winter tires are affordable. Simple math: if you have two sets of tires, both last twice as long. You'll pay more upfront, but the cost difference is negligible down the road. Miller recommends purchasing a second set of wheels, and keeping your winter tires mounted on them. Many shops will swap wheels for free, or a nominal fee. But having tires mounted and balanced can cost anywhere from $80 to $120. ■ You need winter tires at 7°C and below, even if the roads are dry. In cold temperatures, the rubber on all-season tires hardens, reducing traction – even on clear roads. Winter tires are made of a softer rubber compound. They also have better grip on ice and snow, thanks to their wide tread blocks and "sipes" – extra cuts in the rubber that shunt away moisture. All-wheel drive vehicles need winter tires. An all-wheel drive system (AWD) may give you more power to accelerate and drive in slippery conditions, but it won't help with braking or cornering. For that, you still need the added traction of winter tires. "When you're in four-wheel drive mode, essentially what's happening is the back tires are pushing the car and the front tires are pulling," says Miller. "In a corner, the car still has a tendency to lose traction because the front tires start sliding." – MEMBERS SAVE – BCAA Members save 10% on labour and get a two-year warranty and free car wash with every service or repair at BCAA Auto Service Centres in Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon and Nanaimo. bcaa.com/autoservice