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The Magic Number is ....... 7.
Once it hits 7 degrees Celsius consistently here in Alberta it is time to replace your all season, or summer tires with winter tires. It became law in Ontario a couple of years ago that all vehicles must run on winter tires in the winter. This only makes sense because winter tires make your vehicle must safer on the winter roads.
Transport Canada states, “At temperatures below 7°C, standard tires begin to lose elasticity, resulting in reduced traction. Winter tires retain their elasticity to grip at much lower temperatures.
Why is this? Well winter tires are made of a different rubber compound than your summer tires. The rubber is softer, will conform to the road better and has deeper channels and treads to whisk the ice, snow and water away much more efficiently.
And don’t forget to check your tire pressure consistently and often.
For every five degree temperature drop, the tires lose one pound of air pressure -- so it's especially important to check your air pressure after the first frost. And a plus to properly inflated tires is optimum fuel efficiency.
And because when the cold hits everyone will want their tires on quickly, we recommend that you book an appointment now to have them installed around the end of October – that way you know you will riding on safe tires.
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