The great winter tire debate rages on...

Well here we go for another winter weather rollercoaster! The season has been fascinating so far with weather going up and down on a daily basis, and days like today meeting record temperatures (or close to) each day so far this December! With so little snow coming down in the city, many people are questioning the logic in buying a dedicated set of winter tires for their vehicles...are they really required...are all season tires enough??!!

Preparing to switch the tires with dad

These questions are asked every year and every expert under the sun has an opinion, the Toronto Star for example has a page this week that has stories for pro/con points of view for the tires...which way does one turn!

I'm no expert, and I definitely do not have full knowledge about the chemistry behind the tires that allow them to be better in the snow, but speaking from my own experience (driving since 1996) I can safely say that winter tires are worth the money they cost and then some! I have driven FWD, AWD, RWD throughout my life and each of those vehicles has been driven with and without winter tires...and boy can I tell the difference! You can definitely feel the difference when turning and braking as those are the functions that will keep you out of harm's way more than the ability to accelerate...ahem..AWD...cough...cough...

 Sure the majority of people may feel they don't need them...and of course some have driven since the 50's without them and yet somehow survived!  Tires are the ONLY thing keeping you connected to the road...so it makes sense to put the best on that you can! We all the know the first cars in the ditch and in accidents are the AWD trucks and cars! It's the tires...not the AWD that helps you steer and stop!

I almost like the Winter Rims better!

More questions to ponder...should I get a dedicated set of rims(yes...it's easier/cheaper in the long run)...size up(No!)...size down(Yes!)...what make(I Love my Toyos!)...what to look for(use google...I won't do your work for you!)...and just to throw another curve in there we have ALL WEATHER TIRES! Brand new on the market and claiming they are MUCH MUCH better than all season tires, but still do not come to the performance of dedicated winter tires...they do everything well...but nothing great...let yourself make the decision...

With today's tendency of smaller condos....smaller garages...and smaller houses being built, having a dedicated set of tires really can take up valuable real estate...but no worries...the shop will store them for you for a fee! I'm luck as I keep them at the cottage, on their own rims, and it takes me 20min to switch them on my own! But some of us just aren't that lucky!

In the end...look at your needs, do your research, and look for sales...the season has started...and the prices will start falling soon as stock is still there (unlike last year) and shops will be trying to move their stock before the summer season starts!! (Just bought my new set right before the winter tire switch!)

W