14 October 2022
Automotive
While temperatures double-dutch between cold enough to see your breath and comfortable enough to walk around with short sleeves, it's safe to say that wintery weather could strike us anytime. While it's easy to get lost in the physical logistics of the season, like organizing mittens, coats, and fuzzy Ugg-like boots, it's essential to keep your vehicle in mind.
Do you have winter tires? Have you booked an appointment to have them put on?
With the weather being almost as variable as some people's budgets, it's easy to understand why someone may attempt to stick it out with their all-season tires. However, there are potential long-term savings that come with changing them out for the season, not to mention the obvious safety concerns involved with navigating Canadian winters without the right tires.
Here are three crucial reasons you might want to put winter tires on your car this year.
Avoid accidents with better braking
When the temperature drops below 7°C, the rubber in standard all-season tires begins to harden, making them less able to grip the road as well; this, in turn, increases the required braking distance on cold, snowy (sometimes icy) streets. Some reports show that winter tires can reduce braking distance by up to 25%, depending on speed and general road conditions.
This is because winter tires contain more natural rubber and silica than summer tires. Silica keeps its properties even when it's cold, and most winter tires can handle temperatures as low as -30°C.
Traction is critical in winter weather
Winter tires have easy-to-see slits cut across the tread. These slits help the tires move faster by biting into ice and snow that may be stuck to the road and preventing snow from building up. Hydroplaning (when water that causes your car's tires to lose contact with the road) is another hazard winter tires help alleviate with unique grooves that push water to the side.
The tires are also thinner than the tires made by the original manufacturer. Its reduced width increases the pounds per square inch of pressure, making it easier for the tires to cut through the snow instead of float on top of it.
Savings on top of savings
Better braking and traction mean fewer car crashes (assuming a driver is safe and conscientious). For that reason, drivers who put on snow tires generally see a saving on their car insurance—roughly 2-5%, depending on the insurance company.
Using the right tires for the season also means that both sets of tires will last longer as long as they are stored appropriately during the offseason.
Is your budget tighter than expected this season? You don't need a down payment or a credit check to get new winter tires for your car through LendCare. Apply online today and get your car winter-ready.
Making extra payments on your loan is a great way to make progress toward your financial goals.
Here’s how you can get started:
E-Transfers: Quickly send payments directly from your bank’s online platform.
In-Person Deposits: Visit any BMO branch for personalized service.
Payee Setup: Add LendCare as a payee in your bank account for seamless future payments.
Click here for detailed instructions.