How To Do Alberta Winter Tires On A Budget
How To Do Alberta Winter Tires On A Budget
Posted on September 10, 2024
As the days slowly get shorter and we start gearing up for fall weather… it’s time to start thinking about how to do Alberta winter tires on a budget.
While your all-season tires perform well in moderate to warm conditions, Canadian winters present a chilly and icy challenge best suited for winter tires. They can significantly reduce braking distance, and improve control and traction in snowy -30°C conditions.
In this blog we’ll explore:
- different tire types
- why winter tires are best for Canadian drivers
- how to do winter tires on a budget
Read: Demystifying Car Service Costs: Answering Your Most Common Questions
Different Types of Tires
Let’s explore the different types of tires available for Toyota customers. Firstly, all-season tires.
All-Season Tires
These time-saving tires are intended for year-round use in mild to moderate climates. They’re designed for great performance, long tread life and improved fuel efficiency, but are not recommended for Canada’s severe winter conditions.
Read: All Season vs Summer Tires
Summer Tires
Secondly, summer tires are specifically designed for warmer conditions and sportier vehicles. They can enhance steering response and handling precision, and offer a firm grip on dry roads! However, as they are intended for sportier vehicles, they can wear out more quickly than all-seasons due to enhanced grip.
Winter Tires
These tires are recommended as soon as daily temperatures drop below 7°C. Why? Simply, they are designed to perform optimally in cold, snowy conditions. Winter tires are made from engineered rubber intended for use only in cold temperatures and offer superior traction over other types of tires.
If you do a lot of inter-provincial travel, you’ll know that some BC highways legally require winter tires from October 1st to April 30th. Additionally, Quebec legally requires them between December 1st and March 15th!
However, using winter tires in warmer weather conditions can result in accelerated tire wear and poor vehicle handling.
Truck Tires
Light truck tires are designed for off-road traction, on-road handling, and high-level performance. So if you own a Toyota Truck or SUV, these tires are for you!
What We Recommend
We recommend Canadians in passenger vehicles use all-season tires in the warmer months of the year. For the colder months, we recommend winter tires. For specialty vehicles or trucks, there can be other tires to consider.
To discover the best tires for your vehicle, check out our Tire Centre or chat with our team here.
Tips For Alberta Winter Tires On A Budget
Now that you know the differences between Toyota tire options, learn how you can do winter tires on a budget below.
Alberta Winter Tires On A Budget: Check The Tire Tread
The tire tread is the part of the tire that makes contact with the road, and groove patterns can vary from tire type to manufacturer. As you drive, the tire tread gradually wears down from contact with the road.
A key part of checking if your winter tires are safe to drive on the road is checking the tire tread depth. A Toyota Service Technician can check and record tire tread depth for you, or you can do it yourself at home!
For this, all you’ll need is a quarter. Take the quarter and insert it into one of the tire grooves. If you can see the tip of the caribou’s nose, you may need to replace your tires! Alternating your tires can help reduce accelerated tread wear and help your tires’ last longer, but if your tread has worn too low, you will need to replace them.
Alberta Winter Tires On A Budget: Toyota Tire Price Match
If you need to get new tires on a budget, then Toyota has you covered! Our Toyota Tire Price Match guarantees that if you buy new tires from West Edmonton Mall Toyota and you find a better price elsewhere within 30 days, we’ll match it!
You can bring in a printed quote for the same tire within 30 days of purchase, and the Service Manager will refund you the difference.
We carry high-quality tires from a variety of manufacturers, including Continental, Bridgestone, Dunlop, Firestone, Good Year, Michelin, Hankook, Laufenn, Yokohama, and more. Explore our Tire Centre here.
Alberta Winter Tires On A Budget: App Cash-Back Offer
Not only do we have our Tire Price Match, but our customers can receive up to 5% Cash Back Rewards on tire purchases through our app!
Download the West Edmonton Mall Toyota App to earn Cash Back Rewards. Additionally, you can earn points on all transactions, schedule service appointments, and receive exclusive deals with our West Edmonton Mall partners.
Learn more here: Explore the WEM Toyota App
Your Edmonton Tire Centre
West Edmonton Mall Toyota has one of the largest service centres in Edmonton and a wide catalogue of Toyota Genuine Parts and tires. Importantly, we're your convenient tire centre of choice in West Edmonton!
Schedule your tire appointment through the app or our convenient booking services here.