Tire sales and installation in Airdrie, Alberta

Think about where you live. If you are in the mountains, heavy snowfall areas, or do a lot of winter driving, we recommend winter tires with the Alpine symbol. The symbol’s proper name is the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Symbol. Transport Canada acknowledges that tires with this symbol meet specific snow traction performance requirements. They are designed specifically for use in severe snow conditions.

All-season tires are good for shorter trips in winter. They can usually do well through a few storms and patches of ice. If you’re a careful and skilled winter driver, you might be OK with all-seasons. For most winter driving in Alberta, we recommend good winter tires

Any driver, new or experienced, can find themselves spinning on a patch of ice. When this happens, try not to make sudden movements. So don’t hit the brakes or the gas pedal. Let the car slow down. Slowly turn your steering in the direction of the slide. If the sliding continues, apply the brakes gently to try to slow down your vehicle.

Most experts agree that all-wheel drive (AWD) is better for winter driving. An AWD system kicks in when you need extra help on snow or ice. Four-wheel drive (4WD or FWD) is good for heavy snow or extreme conditions. If you are driving on highways and in urban areas, go with an AWD vehicle. 

Yes, you can drive long distances with winter tires. They are ideal for long journeys and shorter trips, as well. If you’re going long distance, check the condition of your winter tires before you set off. Make sure they are in good condition and properly inflated.

Yes, you can inflate tires when it is below freezing. In fact, you should keep an eye on your tire pressure all year but especially in the winter. The cold can make tires lose air, so you end up with low tire pressure. Check them often or ask our Service team to do this for you.

Don’t drive on winter tires in the summer. They are not designed for hot weather. Heat build-up in the tire could lead to a blow-out and a serious accident. Summer and all-season tires are designed to get rid of heat. Next, driving on winter tires in summer will wear out the soft rubber quickly.

Yes, if you paid for comprehensive and collision insurance coverage, tires are protected. But there is a limit to coverage. Normal wear and tear isn’t included. But slashed or stolen tires are covered. Some insurance policies even include pothole damage. Check with your insurance company to see what coverage you have.

Good winter tires will last four or five seasons. But a tire’s life span can depend on how you look after it and how you drive. Uneven wear, low pressure, and fast stops and starts will all cause faster-than normal wear. In Canada, most manufacturers recommend replacing winter tires when they reach a tread depth of 4/32 inch. A tread depth below 4/32 is classed as bald and is a serious safety hazard.

No, good winter tires give better gas mileage than all-seasons. The softer rubber and deep grooves mean they can glide over snow and ice. This gliding results in less energy consumption. All-seasons don’t have this glide and use more gas in the winter.

If you take care of your tires and vehicle, winter tires can last for up to five seasons. Maintain them by checking tire pressure often. Stop early or uneven wear by keeping them balanced and aligned.

We recommend switching to (or buying) winter tires when the temperature goes down to 7 ° C or lower. The softer rubber and traction will grip the roads and help keep you safe. In spring, after a week or so 7 ° C or higher, change to summer tires.

You will know if your tires need alignment because your steering wheel will pull to the left or right. It may even vibrate when you accelerate. Another sign of misaligned tires is a squealing noise from tires. You’ll also see that your tires are wearing unevenly. Get your steering checked as soon as possible if you spot any of these signs.