The Canadian winter has now officially begun. Temperatures are below freezing. Ice is a continuous decoration on the roads and yet thousands of us must still make that daily commute to and from work each day. To help ensure you make your journey safely this winter-time we’re uncovering several of the prevailing winter driving myths.
Myth: You Only Need Two Winter Tires
There are still drivers who believe they need only two winter tires if they have a front or rear wheel drive vehicle. But nothing could be further from the truth. Putting winter tires on only the rear wheels of a rear-wheel-drive vehicle will mean your car is able to accelerate fine but will experience difficulty stopping safely due to the lack of traction on the front wheels. And drivers that only put front winter tires on a front-wheel-drive vehicle will find that they have handling issues and the balance of the vehicle is thrown off by the lack of rear traction. Vehicles require traction from all four tires to function effectively in winter weather
Myth: You Need to Let Your Engine Warm Up
While older model vehicles may still be designed to warm up slowly within the cool wintry weather, newer cars use more efficient lubricants and therefore don’t require much time to warm up. In fact, warming up a vehicle often just wastes the driver’s time and gas. 15 seconds of idling is the most any modern vehicle will require in reaching maximum performance potential.
Myth: All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles are Better in the Snow
Four-wheel-drive vehicles might offer greater performance when off-roading and in difficult conditions, but the average person won’t notice the difference between four-wheel-drive vehicles and other models. That’s because these vehicles are not any better for city driving in the snow than rear-wheel or front-wheel drive vehicles. The quality of the snow tires is the most important driving factor, rather than the synchronization between the steering wheel and the tires. High performance snow tires can help with effective turning and stopping on ice and snow.
By reviewing the myths in this blog, you can achieve a greater understanding of your own winter driving needs. Speak with one of our trusted parts specialists today to learn more on how to maintain your safety this winter.
