This year, we have to admit, the snow took us by surprise. Many drivers, however, have not responded quickly enough and still find themselves without their winter tires. You are lucky, since this year, it is on December 15 that the use of winter tires is made mandatory.

On the other hand, as of next year, this date will be reconciled on December 1st. And admit that with the hasty winter conditions this year, we could have opted for November 15 without fear of being wrong.

Once these things understood, and since you have already called your technician at Groupe Automobile Desjardins to make an appointment, it is still important to know a little more about winter tires.

1. Understand the types of tires.

All tires are not created equal.

All Season Tires: Designed for comfort, noise and traction in wet, dry and light snow conditions. The rubber component hardens and loses adhesion when it is colder, especially below 7 degrees Celsius. There are now four-season tires that can survive in winter, but their capacity is always lower, and we recommend them only to those who stay briefly at home before heading south, for example.

Winter tires (symbol of the mountain with three peaks). Superior traction and traction compared to other tires, because the soles are made with a softer rubber that maintains grip when the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius. Their deep treads adhere extremely well to snow, ice and heavy rains.

Muddy tires and snow (symbol M + S). A variety of all-season tires that have deeper grooves for better performance in mud and snow. They also have extra sipes (small cuts on the tread) for more traction and traction.

2. Never mix and match.

Whatever type of tire you use, it is important to install four of the same type to achieve balanced braking and steering performance. Different types of tires react differently to road conditions, braking and steering, which means that your car may not be able to react properly in an emergency.

3. Consult an expert before installing smaller tires.

Talk in advance with an expert to avoid unpleasant surprises, especially if you drive a newer car. For example, smaller tires can distort the readings of the speedometer or interfere with stability and traction control, which is essential to avoid uncontrollable skidding.

4. Check your tread

Before installing your current winter tires, make sure they always have a tread thickness of at least 5 millimeters (6/32 inches). Never wait until they reach the minimum legal tread depth of 1/7 millimeter. But hey, your specialist can evaluate your tires and tell you if it’s worth thinking about new soles.

Good tires and a good winter maintenance of your car will contribute to grip and braking performance, but we must also adapt our driving habits to the conditions so that we are all safe. Even with winter tires, it’s important to drive at lower speeds and leave more space between you and the car.