How to choose the right set of winter tires

Fall is in the air, so it’s already time to start thinking about winter tires. Are your tires looking worse for wear as the December 1 installation deadline looms? The Certified Auto Repair team has a few tips to help you ensure your vehicle is properly equipped for the rigours of winter.

What type of vehicle do you drive?

Firstly, you must select winter tires that are suitable for your class of vehicle. For instance, winter ties for compact cars and SUVs are versatile and suitable for various vehicles. They’re available in a wide variety of sizes to fit subcompact, compact and mid-size cars, vans, small crossovers and compact SUVs. On the other hand, winter tires for pickup trucks and mid-size SUVs are designed specifically for large vehicles and those that tow heavy loads.

What are your winter driving habits?

Some winter tires perform well on ice, while others perform best on snow. For this reason, your sales consultant will ask you several questions about your driving habits in order to recommend the most appropriate tires. Here are three of the most common scenarios.

• You mostly drive in the city

Do you live in or near a large city like Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Gatineau or Longueuil and use your car to go to work, shop and occasionally visit family in the countryside? If this sounds like you, you need tires that bite into the snow and have excellent braking capacity on ice.

• You mostly drive in the countryside

Do you live outside a big city or in a small town or village? If you drive long distances daily for work and commute several hundred kilometres at least twice a winter, you need tires with excellent traction in deep snow and good braking ability on the ice.

• You make long intercity trips

Do you often drive between large urban centres for work or frequently travel outside Quebec? If so, your driving comfort and fuel consumption are critical factors. For this reason, we suggest investing in tires that perform well on ice and in deep snow.

Studded tires are only recommended for people who often drive on dangerous or poorly plowed back roads.

What’s your budget?

When it comes to which brand of winter tires is best, a higher price tag often means better quality. If you’re on a budget and need to buy used winter tires, make sure they’re compatible with your vehicle, less than 10 years old and have minimal wear. The tread depth should be at least 6/32”.

Make an appointment at your nearest Certified Auto Repair to buy a new set of winter tires and have them professionally installed.