Should i buy snow tires

Some cars have over tire choices available! A final burp of winter weather and frozen precip on the ground is where winter tires would still be the best option. When I asked my friends who drive locally, most do opt to purchase separate snow tires for the winter months in Canada. But with more driving in the mountains in winter, I may need to consider a set of winter tires.

Snow tires can range greatly in price, depending on the size your vehicle requires and the quality of the tire and brand. But even at the high end, that can be less than the cost of being towed out of a ditch in a blizzard. Or worse. My wife and I are wanting to move closer to her parents and we were wondering what we can do to prepare for the colder weather. According to leading tyre maker Continental, a car fitted with winter tyres braking on snow can come to a stop from 31mph in 35 metres, which is eight metres, or about two car lengths shorter than if it was fitted with summer tyres.

The difference is even more pronounced on ice. At a slow 18mph, a car with conventional tyres takes an extra 11 metres to stop, which is the length of a double-decker bus. If you live further north where temperatures are regularly in single figures, or you know that you'll be driving for many miles over the winter, then it's worth considering a set of winter tyres.

Either way, that's a lot less than 4WD, but still quite an outlay. You also need to consider whether it's worth paying for a set of wheels to fit them on. This might be expensive, but then if you're switching regularly, it may work out less to get a set of cheaper steel rims to fit them on than going to your local tyre fitter every time you want to swap over. There's no point in trying to fit them yourself, as you need dedicated machinery to mount and balance the tyres on the wheels.

If you've bought a set of winter tyres, then the simplest course of action is to replace your conventional tyres on your car's wheels. This is best done at a tyre fitter, so that they can fit and balance your rubber properly. However, that does mean you'll be back at your tyre fitter in the spring to put your conventional tyres back on.

Another alternative is to buy a set of wheels to go with your new winter tyres. You could get a matching set of alloys, but a cheaper alternative is to either get a smaller wheel design, or even basic steel wheels, if they're available. Cars get pretty filthy over winter anyway, so a set of steels won't spoil your car's aesthetics much. If your car has a full-size spare wheel, it's worth considering fitting that with a winter tyre as a matter of course.

There's a greater risk of punctures in winter due to potholes, while a winter tyre is OK to drive for a short period in warm weather, as long as you replace the punctured tyre as soon as possible.

Currently there's no such thing as a winter-spec space-saver spare wheel, but regular space-savers feature treads that are designed to work in a range of conditions, usually at speeds up to 50mph. If your car has run-flat tyres, you can get winter run-flats that remain useable even after a puncture. One obstacle to fitting winter tyres is having somewhere to store your other set of tyres when they're not in use.

If you haven't got a garage or shed to store them in, it can be a real inconvenience, and that's where the tyre hotel comes. It depends on the conditions in your area. While winter tires will suffice in most situations, in a severe snow storm or in rural areas that are not plowed regularly, chains could be required by law.

Check for inclement weather and road condition updates before heading to your snowy destination. Studded tires are winter tires with metal studs mounted into the actual tire, providing maximum traction on ice and snow. However, they make for an uncomfortable ride and can damage pavement, so they should only be used in the worst conditions. Studded tires are also pricier than chains, so are best suited for those who drive regularly through mountain passes and heavy snowfall.

Some states prohibit the use of studded tires, so it is best to check your local regulations before investing in them. Not all winter tires are created equal. Some perform better on ice than snow, while others are created especially for high-performance sports cars.

Check your car's oil level, coolant level, tyre pressures and lights. If your car hasn't been serviced for some time, it might be worth getting it done before winter sets in. It'll help ensure that everything's in good order before the temperature falls. Now's also the time to attend to any mechanical or electrical faults because they could bring your car grinding to a halt in the worst possible weather. Test all your car's systems as well because you don't want to find out later that things like your heated rear windscreen have failed.

If your car's cooling system doesn't have the correct amount of antifreeze in it, you could experience a major failure, most likely in the form of a cracked radiator, when the thermometer starts falling below zero. Get an antifreeze tester from your local motor factors and check your handbook to see what the mixture should be, and what kind of antifreeze you should be using.

Any local dealer or garage will be able to test it for you, if need be. Advertisement Back to top Inspect the rest of the cooling system as well to ensure that the radiator, coolant hoses and water pump are free from leaks or visible damage. The cold can take its toll on your car's battery, even more so if you're not driving regularly. If you find your car slow to start as the temperature falls, your battery is most likely on its way out. So if you've any doubts about the condition of the battery, get it tested by a local dealer or garage.

If your car's battery goes flat when left for several days because of a fault or a drain caused by an alarm system, consider investing in a trickle charger to keep it topped up - or get an automotive electrician to resolve any issues. Carry a set of spare bulbs in your car, too, to avoid getting caught out.

Older cars may also benefit from an upgrade to more powerful bulbs in order to improve visibility, but make sure to choose compatible and appropriate bulbs.

Rattles, squeals, shakes, a soft brake pedal and a noticeable increase in stopping distance are all signs that your car's braking system is in need of attention. Stopping distances are vastly increased on icy or snowy roads, and worn or faulty brakes will only exacerbate them further - so it's best to get them looked at.

Advertisement Back to top 6. Give your tyres a once-over The condition and quality of your tyres will make a dramatic difference to how your car performs on wintery roads. If the tread is low, the sidewalls are damaged, you've a slow puncture or they're a budget brand, you may find your car much harder to control.

Check them over carefully and replace them if the tread is low or if there's any sign of damage. You should also seriously consider switching to winter tyres. One of the biggest dangers in winter is a lack of visibility. Replace any wiper blades that are in poor condition with high-quality items, top up your washer fluid with winter-mixture screenwash and carry clean cloths to wipe down your glass and side mirrors. It's advisable to carry additional screenwash in the car.

Running out can quickly lead to your windscreen becoming obscured by salt and grime. You may also want to get any windscreen chips or cracks looked at, as the cold could lead to them becoming much more severe. The cold temperatures can cause doors to stick to weather seals, in turn making the doors hard to open or even damaging the seals themselves.

Don't use Vaseline to lubricate the seals because it will degrade the rubber. Use a quality rubber care stick like Gummi Pflege instead. It's worth taking a minute to go around the car with a can of silicone lubricant as well, and spraying it in to hinges, locks and linkages. It'll stop things sticking when the temperature falls. Don't use WD, though, because it's not a suitable substitute for proper lubrication.

Pack a bag with spare bulbs, jump leads, a torch, a decent tow strap, a high-visibility vest, warm clothes, a charger for your phone, some chocolate and some bottled water. Even if you only get stuck in a jam, they could come in handy. If your area experiences frequent or occasionally severe snowfall, consider carrying some wooden planks, a shovel and some old carpet.

All of this can be used to help get a stuck car moving. Advertisement Back to top It may be beneficial, if you have them, to pack a small selection of tools and spares - such as a bottle of coolant, oil and an ancillary belt. The UK has one of the slowest uptakes for winter or all-weather tyres in Europe. As soon as temperatures drop below 7deg Celsius, winter tyres are proven to reduce stopping distances and make your car easier to control, even in dry conditions.

Scroll up to read our comprehensive guide to winter tyres.