10 tips for choosing winter tires

  1. Shop your winter tires in the summer
    Shop your winter tires in the summer or fall. You will find better prices. No need to wait for the first snowfall as demand is on the rise, winter tire dealers who will quickly identify the good deal, will sell their goods at a much higher price.
  2. What are your needs for winter tires
    Once you have decided to start your shopping, ask yourself what are your needs for winter tires. Do you have a lot of mileage outside the city or are you more of an urban traveler? This will or will not influence the decision to purchase studded tires and you will choose a tire that is better suited to your needs.
  3. Do you live in the city or in the countryside?
    If you do not drive a lot during the winter season and you stay in the city, you do not need to buy high-end tires because the urban areas are generally well maintained and easily driveable.
  4. Choose ice grip winter tires
    It will be important for frequent flyers to choose a winter tire adapted to the routes they cover. If your route has roads that are often icy, it’s worth it to invest in ice grip type tires.
  5. Buy used winter tires
    If buying used winter tires may seem like a good deal, check the condition of the tires in question. It would be a shame to buy tires that will be completely obsolete before the end of the season since this would require you to make a new purchase and therefore increase the amount allocated to your purchase. But one thing is for sure, used tires are much cheaper than new tires!
  6. Check the dimensions of your tires
    Before you go in search of your winter tires, check the size of the summer tires that your vehicle is wearing. You will need to find exactly the same dimensions on your winter tires to ensure you ride safely and get the best road holding. To do this hang out with you, your owner’s manual when shopping. If you no longer have it in your possession, enter the details in a notebook and bring it with you when shopping.
  7. The coverslip must be at least 6/32!
    When you are offered a particular tire, make sure that the slat is at least 6/32 in order to meet minimum safety standards. A tire whose slats do not go to the bottom will not ensure a perfect grip on the road.
  8. What is the speed rating?
    Check the speed rating of your new winter tires. The speed rating of your new tires should be identical to that of your four-season tires otherwise, they will not ensure the same handling.
  9. What price to pay for winter tires?
    The budget for the purchase of winter tires should be taken into consideration. If your budget is rather modest, look for a new good quality recycled tire rather than a used tire. Since you only use it four months a year, it will run much slower and offer you better value than a used tire.
  10. Winter tire tests to consult
    Finally, if you have any doubts about the purchase of winter tires, do not hesitate to bring a friend connoisseur during your shopping. If you’re not lucky enough to have a garage friend, check out consumer magazines such as Protect Yourself magazine or CAA publications. You will find performance tests and recommendations that may be useful to you.

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