5 Reasons Snow Tires Make Sense (And Save Dollars) For Ontario Drivers

Nearly 80% of Canadians now use snow tires, according to the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC), signifying their importance for road safety and vehicle performance in the cold.

But safety isn’t the only reason to invest in snow tires. They can also improve fuel efficiency, tread life, insurance prices, and more.

Read on to learn more about the benefits of using snow tires in Ontario, or contact your local TIRECRAFT to get personalized snow tire recommendations straight away.

5 Reasons To Invest In Snow Tires In 2022-2023

1.   Snow Tires Reduce Insurance Costs For Ontario Drivers

As of January 1st, 2016, all insurers must offer discounted rates to drivers who use snow tires. The snow tire discount typically ranges between 2-5%, but it all depends on your policy and provider, as neither the Ministry of Finance nor the Government of Ontario specify the amount.

Of course, certain conditions must be met before you are eligible for the snow tire discount. For example, your snow tires must still be within their recommended service life, typically 6 years or so, and the treads must be in good condition. Policyholders may also need proof of purchase, proof of installation, and a clear photo of the tire to submit to their insurers.

If you need help assessing your eligibility or collecting the necessary documents, get in touch with your local TIRECRAFT. We’ve helped thousands of drivers save on insurance with quality snow tires, and we can do the same for you.

2.   Snow Tires Reduces The Risks Of Costly Collisions

There is a huge body of research showing that, in terms of winter safety, snow tires are a true nonpareil. For example:

• 79% of drivers say snow tires saved them from an accident last year, according to the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC)’s “2021 Canadian Consumer Winter Tire”
• Snow tires reduce braking distances by 33.6% compared to all-seasons, according to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation. That translates to about 9 metres or two full car-lengths!
• Snow tire usage is directly associated with a 5% reduction in fatal winter accidents, according to research by the Government of Quebec.

With a good set of snow tires and a defensive-driving mindset, you can greatly reduce your risks of losing control. Beyond keeping you safe, this will drastically lower your annual repair and maintenance costs, preventing one of the most common causes of misalignments, wheel and suspension damage, and premature part failures: collisions!

3.   Snow Tires Increase The Life Of Your Tires

Obviously, switching over to snow tires will extend the life of all your tires by giving both sets an “off-season.” But that’s not all.

Using all-season tires in cold weather is also a major cause of premature tire wear. Why? Because their tread compounds are not meant for cold weather, and because the likelihood of slips and spinouts greatly increases in the snow.

By switching over to snow tires when temperatures drop below 7 degrees Celsius, you can prevent this issue altogether.

4.   Snow Tires Increase Fuel Efficiency

Snow tires also use less energy than all-season tires in winter because they grip better and stay pliable in frigid temperatures, both of which help transfer your engine power to your tires more efficiently. This translates to big gas savings at the pumps.

5.   Snow Tires Simplify Basic Tire Maintenance

Many drivers see snow tire changeover as a chore, but there’s a silver lining. When you’re already in the habit of visiting your local TIRECRAFT for changeovers twice per year, it becomes much easier to stay on top of your basic tire maintenance.

For example, tire rotations become baked in to your standard changeover service, and you get the expert’s eye on your tires more often, which greatly increases your odds of detecting damage, uneven wear, or misalignments before any serious problems arise.

By the same token, you also get many more opportunities to collect MyTIRECRAFT Rewards points, which can be spent later on to reduce the costs of any auto repair, maintenance or part replacement services.

Browse All The Best Snow Tires Under One Roof: Visit TIRECRAFT

To learn more about the benefits of snow tires and get personalized recommendations based on your unique budget, vehicle, and driving needs, contact your local TIRECRAFT.

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