5 Most Common Winter Driving Mistakes Jan 27

1. Not Slowing Down
One of the biggest problems with winter drivers is they do not slow down enough despite reduced traction on the roads. They continue to drive near the speed limit when traction is clearly reduced because of weather. This makes turns far more dangerous than they should be.

 2. Not Checking Road Conditions
Drivers should be checking road conditions and weather conditions before heading out.. Local radio stations, The Weather Network, etc. are great resources for this information to your trip.

3. Bad Vision Techniques
Driving safe is dependent on where you’re looking. It is important not to stare at the vehicle directly in front of you. Any mistakes they make, you are likely to make the same mistake. So look forward to where you are heading whether it is an intersection or highway exit.

4. Driving in Bulky Clothing
With winter weather, comes more clothes and layers. Wearing a heavy coat can hamper steering inputs and reduce the range of motion for the driver’s arm. And wearing winter boots may lead to loss of control if the driver isn’t careful. It is much harder to tell how depressed the pedals are when wearing such boots. Many vehicles today have excellent heating systems, so it is not necessary to be bundled up when in a car.

5. Driving versus Public Transit or Walking
When you really consider it, it is not necessary to drive for every errand and appointment. Consider other alternatives like taking the bus or even walking if it is a short distance and not too cold outside.

Tag(s): Winter Driving, Winter Tires

Car Winterization Checklist Jan 20

Battery Cables and Terminals
Make sure the battery terminals and cable ends are free from corrosion, and the connections are tight.

Drive Belts
Inspect the underside of accessory drive belts for cracks or fraying. Many newer multi-rib “serpentine” belts are made of materials that do not show obvious signs of wear; replace these belts at 60,000-mile intervals.

Engine Hoses
Inspect cooling system hoses for leaks, cracks or loose clamps. Also, squeeze the hoses and replace any that are brittle or feel excessively spongy.

Tire Pressure
Check tire inflation pressure more frequently in fall and winter. As the average temperature drops, so will tire pressures — typically by 1 PSI for every 10 degrees. The proper tire pressure levels can be in the owner’s manual or on a sticker typically located on the driver’s side door jamb. Also, check the spare.

Air Filter
Check the engine air filter by holding it up to a 60-watt light bulb. If light can be seen through much of the filter, it is still clean enough to work effectively. However, if light is blocked by most of the filter, replace it.

Lights
Check the operation of all headlights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, emergency flashers, and back-up lights. Replace any burnt out bulbs.

Wiper Blades
The blades should completely clear the glass with each swipe. Replace any blade that leaves streaks or misses spots. In areas with snow, consider installing winter wiper blades that wrap the blade frame in a rubber boot to reduce ice and snow buildup that can prevent good contact between the blade and the glass.

Washer Fluid
Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir with a winter cleaning solution that has antifreeze components to prevent it from freezing

Brakes
If there is any indication of a brake problem, have the system inspected by a certified technician to ensure all components are in good working order.

Transmission, Brake and Power Steering Fluids
Check all fluids to ensure they are at or above the minimum safe levels.

Source: AAA Mid-Atlantic

Tag(s): Winter Driving, Winter Tires

Winter Driving Academy Jan 10

There hasn’t been much snow in Toronto due to above average temperatures. This doesn’t mean there won’t be snow this season though. When it does snow, it will mean challenging driving conditions for drivers. With snow and ice on the road, cautious drivers slow to a halt as confident drivers become reckless. On January 10th, Richard Spénard, a professional driver and driving instructor for Michelin Canada, will be in Toronto to demonstrate how to drive safely on winter roads, no matter the weather conditions or driver personality. Find out what type of driver you are here.

What: Media demonstration of winter driving techniques
(Taping and interview opportunities)
Who: Richard Spénard, professional driver
When: Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Time: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, on appointment
Where: Parking lot, Ontario Place
955 Lakeshore Boulevard West, Toronto

For additional safety driving tips, please visit the Michelin Winter Driving Academy.

Tag(s): Winter Driving, Winter Tires

Tires Deteriorate Regardless of Use Dec 30

Recently, it has been reported that car tires deteriorate even without frequent day to day use. This includes spare tires too. According to Ronald Montoya, consumer advice associate at Edmunds.com, “People often rely on a tire’s tread depth to determine its condition, but the rubber compounds in a tire deteriorate with time, regardless of the condition of the tread.”

“Like an old elastic band, a tire’s rubber can eventually develop cracks on the surface and on the inside wall. This cracking can cause the steel belts in the tread to separate from the rest of the tire.” Most tire manufacturers state that a tire can last up to 10 years though, provided that annual inspections are done.

As a consumer, you can perform a visual inspection as it can offer clues to the degree of your tire’s deterioration. You can also take it to the garage every couple of months to get a tire professional to give you their expert evaluation of the state of your tires. There are many factors that can increase the speed your tire deteriorate including excessive heat and erratic driving. Nothing lasts forever so evaluate the state of your tires today because it may be time to buy a new set.

OK Tire Promotion Dec 12

Check out the latest promotion on OK Tire! You can get $80 rebate on a set of 4 Toyo Tires. Act fast as this deal ends on Friday!

 

Research: Winter tires can save lives Dec 2

Research conducted by The Government of Quebec in the two years since winter tire use became universal in the province has proven conclusively what tire makers have long known, driving on winter tires saves lives and reduces serious injuries.

The 2011 study, which compared Quebec road accident statistics before and after winter tire use became required, shows that in the past two winters there has been a five percent reduction in road accident injuries that can be directly attributed to winter tire use. The research concludes that winter tires prevent about 575 road-accident injuries per winter in Quebec. The study also found that vehicle accidents resulting in death or serious injury declined by three percent.

Read more: http://www.sharenews.com/local-news/2011/11/18/research-proves-winter-tires-can-save-lives

Tag(s): Winter Driving, Winter Tires

Should snow tires be mandatory? Nov 25

Everyone has seen commercials for snow tires, most notably, the ones with two cars stopping at a stop sign. One car skids and the other doesn’t. You can guess which one has snow tires. There are provinces such as Ontario where snow tires are not mandatory. There are some areas of the province which are warmer and thus making snow tires mandatory doesn’t seem to be very practical. Cost is also a factor as a set of winter tires can start from $600 and this does not include the rims. Southern parts of Ontario experience very little snow as well, making it not very practical for the province to make snow tires mandatory.

The government of Saskatchewan recently announced they will not be making snow tires mandatory. Saskatchewan’s minister responsible for the car insurance corporation is not convinced that by making snow tires mandatory, that this would reduce collisions. “There’s no substitute for safe driving,” the minister added. “There’s many things you can do to make your cars safer. Winter tires is one of those things that people can do and if that’s a choice people make, that’s great.” Quebec and parts of British Columbia are the only provinces that requires winter tires.

Tag(s): Winter Driving, Winter Tires

2 Winter Tires versus 4 – What’s the difference? Nov 4

It is a common misconception that having two winter tires on the front of the vehicle is as effective as having four winter tires. This is not true. In fact, front wheels will only affect the car as starts moving, but overall you will not have optimal traction for handling.  Having 2 different tires on your car decreases  its handling ability. With different tires in the front and rear of the vehicle, you will find that it will not react and perform optimally under varying weather conditions. This can be particularly risky when driving during challenging weather conditions where snow, black ice and rain are dangerous factors that can impede your control.

It is important to have the same level of traction on all four corners of the car. Installing four winter tires allows you to maintain the most balance and control over your car which can make the difference between life and death. For maximum safety, it is recommended that you install all four winter tires at the same time. In some provinces like Quebec, it is actually required that winter tires be installed on all wheels.

For more information, visit Calgary Winter Tires and GT Radial Canada.

Tire Rating System Oct 28

Below are types of tires and their seasonal attributes. You may decide on certain types of tires depending on weather conditions in your area.

Summer tires: Best for summer, fair in spring and fall, poor in winter

Winter tires: Best in winter, fair in spring and fall – but wear heavily, poor in summer.

All-season – Fair in spring, summer and fall, poor in extreme cold conditions

All-weather – Good in winter but not as good as “winter” tires, fair in spring, summer and fall.

TireStarz Dealer Locations Sep 14

TireStarz is located in every province across Canada! The Dealer Finder also lists OK Tire locations as well. You can find Bridgestone and Firestone tires locally at a TireStarz. Put the power of TireStarz to work for you!

Watch the latest Bridgestone TV spot right on Tirestarz.ca!

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