Nicholas Camilleri
LIFE REPORTER
PHOTO BY NICHOLAS CAMILLERI // Winter tires like this out-perform all season tires, as they attain better grip the lower the temperature gets.
Winter tires are an essential when it comes to driving in the winter months, an automotive mechanic said.
“With our environment we have snow and extreme temperatures which is why winter tires are a must-have,” said Gary Popaduke, owner of Gary’s Automotive Repair in Brampton.
Quebec has laws that require drivers to use winter tires from Dec.15 to March 15, a law that has yet to hit Ontario roads.
“Quebec has done it and I don’t think it’s a bad idea, a lot of accidents happen because we don’t have that law,” said Popaduke,
He said that a lot of people don’t realize how important winter tires are.
“It’s once you are in the situation, it’s too late,” he said.
Popaduke said having snow tires on cars would make the roads a lot safer.
“Some people don’t believe it, until they run off the road,” said Popaduke.
He also said that all season tires are only useful to a certain degree, as they become useless once it’s too cold, whereas winter tires attain better grip the colder it gets.
Tony Pereira, a licensed automotive technician who has been with Honda for many years, said people don’t know how much of a difference appropriate tires make, until you put them on the car and notice.
Pereira said he doesn’t think winter tires should be mandatory, but instead “insurance companies should reward drivers who choose to use winter tires with some sort of discount”.
Chelsea Moylett, 20, a nursing student, said she feels confident in her Jeep.
“I trust my all-wheel-drive,” said Moylett.
Moylett said her parents take care of the vehicle when it comes to “that stuff”.
“I will be honest, I should probably know a bit more about having winter tires,” said Moylett.