When you get married or enter into a long-term relationship, there are many discussions and compromises that occur. You are in a partnership, and partnerships require compromise due to the fact that you are both human beings with unique opinions. It is always a blessing when you see eye to eye on a given topic, however, when it comes to topics such as winter tires for our vehicles, who knew that would become The Big Winter Tire Debate.
My husband grew up in a location in Ontario that typically doesn’t get as much snow as other areas. Because of this, he had never heard of the need for winter tires. He thought they were only for people who lived up in the Great White North.
Growing up, I don’t recall my parents using winter tires on their vehicles. But, ever since I have been out on my own, they have expressed a strong opinion that they are an absolute necessity. Now, they put on their winter tires each and every fall.
Enter: the big winter tire debate.
Back in June 2014, I got a new vehicle. We were hoping that we could get away without winter tires, but boy did I ever learn the hard way! I will never forget, it was one cold, wet and slippery day. I picked up my kids from school and I honestly didn’t think that I would make it up the hill (and it’s a small hill too!) My tires were skidding all over the place and I was shaking in fear. It was on that day that I knew that I would never drive a vehicle without winter tires again.
The Great Winter Tire Debate was over.
There would be no more discussions in our household.
Sometimes it takes life experiences like that to make you realize how you feel about a certain topic.
I have done my research and since then, learned that even on dry roads, winter tires can make a significant difference to your stop time when driving in cold and slippery weather.
Regardless of where you are in Canada, winter tires are one of the most important investments you can make to keep your vehicle on the road and your family safe. According to Tirecraft (a Canadian owned and operated expert in tires and automotive service), the general rule is that winter tires should be used between Thanksgiving and Easter.
There’s no better time to get refreshed on winter tires
with this year’s Ultimate Guide to Winter Tires.
If you’re new to driving, there will be some information that you might be learning for the first time to help you stay safe on winter roads. Even if you’re a seasoned driver, we can always use some refresher tips and reminders. Safety is KEY!Be sure to enter for a chance to WIN a $1,000 Tirecraft gift certificate. This, opportunity ends on December 1st at 12 PM EST.
Did you know that each Tirecraft is locally owned and operated? I love to support locally owned and operated businesses. The experts at Tirecraft can offer a number of recommendations that are tailored to your driving style and habits, to your vehicle and the winter conditions where you live, helping you get the most out of your winter driving season!
Do you have winter tires on your vehicle?
This post has been generously sponsored by Tirecraft, the opinions and language are my own.
We just put our winter tires on and I too am afraid to drive now without them.Sometimes I work late into the night on night shift and I am the only vehicle on the road going home so they are seriously important to me.I also like to support local businesses too.
Oh yes, I can see how important proper tires would be for night, winter driving, Wanda! What line of work are you in?
Hubby and I were just talking about tires last night. I thinks he’s putting winter tires on this week at some point.
It’s that time of year, isn’t it?
Thanks for the info. I am lucky my husband looks after this department!! I think it would be rather overwhelming in the sea of black!!
LOL yes – to me, tires all look the same, but they are definitely NOT!
We are putting our winter tires on tomorrow to get ready. I feel safer with the winter tires on when I am driving in snow/ice.
Absolutely, Judy! I’m glad to hear that you are getting yours on so that you are ready 🙂 The snow is coming…..
Thanks for the info,having the right tires is so important
It definitely is, Kathy!
We had that discussion when I just about hit a curb with our brand new car, it came with four season tires. The new car was automatic and I had always drove standard and good four season tires work just find then. My husband told me I just needed to learn to drive automatic. The next year, he took my car out in a snow storm and he said we need winter tires because I just about didn’t make the turn…Haha! Too funny but hay, we got winter tires.
It often takes an experience like that for us to realize that we do need to change something. Me too!
Yes,
ooo i definitely entered into that contest for tires. And wow, hubby and I just got a brand new vehicle and thought because it was new we didn’t need winter tires….um ya i think we will revisit this convo!
I’m telling you, Kristen – I was terrified when my 6 month old vehicle was having trouble driving in the winter! The winter tires make a HUGE difference. Let me know what you decide – I love to hear what everyone does.
I am married to a mechanic and he changes our tires every year, except this year and I asked why and he said that we have good all season tires on and no need to change, I’m glad that I am married to a mechanic that looks after all of this stuff!!
That would be VERY handy to be married to a mechanic. My hubby is my IT support 😉
It’s simply something that I do here, I see too many accidents with cars in the ditch where there ‘was no need for winter tires’. Having a 4 wheel drive doesn’t help there either! In Germany it’s been made law that you have to have the right tires for the road conditions, in an accident you’re the loser if you have the wrong tires on your car.
I have never had winter tires. It has been a more popular topic in recent years though, so I have wondered if I should. Our street is literally a hill straight up from our driveway, I’ve had a few battles trying to get out! 5 years of living here and I have mastered that hill even on the worst of winter days with my all season tires