Knowing a lot about tire technology is not a high priority for most people when climbing into their vehicles for their daily commute. They may have a superficial understanding of the importance of driving on properly inflated tires that still have tread on them, but that’s usually where it ends. With winter rapidly approaching, it’s time for a valuable lesson on the composition of winter tires versus the composition of all weather and all season tires.
“When the country gets to the point where the temperature is consistently below 10 degrees, that’s when your all-season tire compounds and your summer tire compounds tend to harden up,” said Nick Chute, Service Manager at Bourgeois Hyundai. “ These tires behave like a hockey puck sliding on the road when you try to stop. Winter tires, on the other hand, have a softer compound that remains flexible and grippy in temperatures below 0°C. They provide better stopping power and feature specially designed sipes that improve traction on wet and slushy surfaces.”
For that reason alone, Chute suggests driving on a dedicated winter tire is the safest option for drivers in the area. Booking your winter tire swap prior to the rapid decline in temperature and weather conditions is simply a good idea according to Chute. He said having the car on the hoist for the swap is also a great time to have the licensed mechanics at any of the four locations of The Bourgeois Auto group conduct a winter ready maintenance package on your vehicle.
“When it’s time to do your tire swap we always do a multi-point inspection,” he said. “We check the tire tread and the wear on the tires going onto the vehicle. We inspect the battery to ensure it has lots of life left. We check and top up all the fluids. And we do a full brake inspection to ensure they’re well lubricated and not starting to rust or seize up.”
There are some other small things drivers can do to be prepared for safe driving through the winter months. These include always keeping an extra jug of washer fluid in the vehicle, having a good snow brush, packing a roadside kit with a blanket, flare, and pylons, and installing new wipers.
“Wipers are important in the winter, and they can be affected by the salt and brine they put down on the roads. Make sure your wipers are fresh so you have the best visibility possible,” he said.
Founded in 1945 by Lionel Bourgeois, the Bourgois Auto Group company began with its flagship location in Midland. With the expansion, the group now includes Bourgeois Midland Nissan, Bourgeois Ford North in Parry Sound, and their newest addition, Bourgeois Midland Hyundai.
To book your winter tire swap or winter maintenance package, visit Bourgeois Auto Group online.
This article was sponsored by Bourgeois Auto Group, a 2024 MidlandToday Reader Favourite.