Now that we are well into Fall, Thanksgiving 2016 is all but a distant memory and Halloween has now arrived. While these dates on the calendar give us plenty of reasons to celebrate the onslaught of fall, they also make it all too easy for us to avoid the looming task of switching to our winter tires before the weather truly turns nasty.
Every year in Victoria, when the rain turns to snow and the snow turns to ice, do you find yourself always asking yourself the same questions?
- Are my car’s all-season tires going to be enough to get me through another year of winter-driving?
- Will the weather even get bad enough to warrant two types of tires this year?
- Do I even need to worry about it?
Answering these questions is an internal debate many Victoria drivers wrestle with at this time of year. Read More
If you don’t know how to change a tire, getting a flat can be a nightmare. Depending on where you are, how much traffic is flying by, and whether or not you have a roadside assistance package it can be a very stressful experience.
Like parallel parking, and knowing which streets in Downtown Victoria are one-way, changing a flat tire is a handy and necessary skill for all drivers. Read More
Tire pressure is a measure of the amount of air in your car’s tires, measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). You should be checking your tire pressure routinely to ensure that your tires are inflated to their optimal pressure for your particular vehicle.
Why is correct tire pressure important?
Having the correct tire pressure is important for a few reasons, including safety, fuel economy and the life of your tires. Next to your brakes, your tires probably have the most impact on your driving safety. If your tire pressure is off, it can affect braking, cornering and the overall stability of your vehicle. With the correct tire pressure, your tires will last longer, save fuel and improve the handling of your car, preventing accidents.
Correct tire pressure will give you comfort, durability and you will experience the intended performance of your vehicle..
Winter might be mild in many parts of British Columbia, but that doesn’t mean driving is a breeze. According to an ICBC survey, almost 4 in 10 respondents feel less confident driving during the winter. What’s more, 7 in 10 feel less safe and more frustrated by the actions of other drivers.
Staying off the road is the safest (and least stressful!) option, but that’s not a reality for most drivers. So, what you can do instead is reduce your speed, keep your distance, and make sure your car is prepared for the wet, wild, and chilly weather.
Winter tires
Winter tires aren’t technically mandatory in BC, but the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure can designate them to be required on certain roads and highways, including the Malahat, from October 1 to March 31. If you go beyond the signs and are caught driving on these roads without winter tires, police can ticket you and make you turn back.
Pesky fines aside, winter tires are a safer option for driving in the winter, even here in Victoria. Our temperatures regularly dip near freezing and all season tires harden up and lose traction at temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius. And while driving without winter tires will not void your insurance (remember, they’re not mandatory), they can affect how much you’re at fault. Read More
