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winter tires 2011

How ready are YOU for this winter season?!

First frost has come and gone. The weather man says flurries will feather the grass this week. All around the city lawns have been mowed for the very last time, fall bulbs planted, bags of leaves disguised as pumpkins or scarecrows will soon be used to prepare next year’s compost pile. The earthy smell of fall begins to fade and the wind takes on a new bite; it’s an unmistakable reminder that winter is on its way.
Driving, in any season, isn’t easy in our fair city. Whether you are coming from East or West, North or South, you can always be sure that something is blocked somewhere. When the wet streets meet the new freezing temperatures, we’re reminded as drivers that those All Seasons just don’t cut it in this city; our houses aren’t the only things that need “winterizing” – our cars need it to. Despite the fact that winter tires are now compulsory by December 15th, CAA Quebec reports a marked delay by motorists in the changing of their seasonal tires. A few theories can be advanced to explain this phenomenon: the economy for one causes people to cut or push back on things they don’t consider a necessary or immediate expense. Some folks just think that it is something that they can put off until they see that first real snowfall. In fact, this is such a common perception that garages across the city are inundated with installation requests during this time; the rush jobs can lead to a reduced quality installation or the unavailability of your first choice tire. Veteran drivers [and meteorologists] know that in this city you have to be prepared for anything – whether it’s cold dry pavement, thick wet snow or a virtual ice rink. The rising popularity of SUVs with 4-wheel-drive or sedans with ABS brakes can also give the Montreal driver a false sense of security. While those are great features to have that can be a benefit to drivers who know how to use them properly – successfully navigating the city in the winter depends on the conditions of the road, your winter driving ability and the performance of your tires.
Pirelli, this year’s leading winter tire maker, offers a solution to meet the needs of any type of driver in all road conditions. [Click HERE to compare!] The Winter Snow Control Serie II, for example, is a great solution for the “city” car driving down the relatively dry pavement of the Trans-Canadian highway as well as through the congested streets like Decarie Blvd.; where only tires that are designed to expel slush and snow can safely unbury you from behind the snow piles left by city plow trucks. If you are looking to reduce both the impact on the environment AND on your wallet, you might consider the Winter Ice Control , the newest member to the Pirelli tire family. Although it has a lower performance ranking on dry pavement, this eco-friendly tire that was made to handle extreme Nordic driving conditions features circumferential boxes and small grooves, a milled surface and directional tread design that delivers increased traction, stability, & braking on ice and snow.
Sporty, more aggressive drivers can benefit from the Winter Sottozero . With its IBS Technology and New Temperature Dynamic Compound, this tire features superior traction and handling on all road conditions, especially cold dry pavement. The Sottozero will leave you feeling like winter driving is just as easy as in the summer.
Autobar is just one supplier that recommends Pirelli’s studable Winter Carving Edge as the best defense against the worst winter has to throw at you:
“While designed to accept tire studs to enhance traction on packed snow and ice, they can also be used without studs if desired. Winter Carving radials are designed to perform in wet and dry conditions, as well as enhance overall traction in snow and on ice. Winter Carving radials use Pirelli’s Adaptive Compound Technology (ACT) to blend winter performance with wear resistance.”
Featuring a “directional tread design with rounded shoulders to increase hydroplaning resistance” and an optimized stud layout to reduce loss of studs, the Carving Edge is a favorite for the most severe weather conditions*.
*Due to the traction capabilities this tire is recommended to be installed in sets of four only.

Choosing a good winter tire can mean the difference in whether you are house bound or bound around a pole this winter. All Season tires can be a bit of a misnomer if you have ever tried to get up a hill in January or down one in December. The right tire can shorten your braking distance by half, can improve handling around corners and reduce hydroplaning with increased speeds. The right tire can save your life.
Autobar has trained service technicians that can execute a quality installation and an experienced sales staff available to ensure that you choose the product that is most appropriate for your motor vehicle and driving habits. This season, let Autobar help you get winter ready!