Who's buying new snow tires this winter? (which means "snow tyres" for those who know what a toast cooling rack is)
I did my research! I've got the scoop! Like, what do you need to know about buying a new set of snows, eh? 🇨🇦
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SUPERVlXEN · F
swirlie · F
@SUPERVlXEN
Okay, I hear you because I use to think the same way... get one more year out of them, right?
My research has brought to my attention that we are wrong in thinking that. If we think that we can get "one more year" out of a set of snow tires, they're already useless as snow tires from a technical as well as a potential litigation perspective, particularly if their state of wear is obvious to us as laypersons.
From a technical perspective, as soon as a snow tire is 55% worn with 45% of the original tread remaining, it is no longer considered a "snow tire" by definition.
From a potential litigation perspective, if you're involved in an auto accident between November and April regardless of the road surface condition and it was determined that your "snow tires" were worn by 55% or greater, you will actually be charged by police with being 'partially at fault' for the collision, even if the other car was totally 'at fault' who caused the collision.
The same analogy applies if you run summer tires in winter and are involved in an auto collision, even on dry roads in winter.
The reason for this is that your snow tires would be deemed unsafe for winter driving conditions and therefore were 'partially causal' in the collision. This is because it would be argued that you could have avoided the collision on your end if you had proper tires on your vehicle. Your insurance premiums would double over that one.
The design difference between summer tires versus winter tires/snow tires (3 different categories here) are one of temperature. Each tire category is only legal to use under very defined temperature conditions. This means it is illegal to use snow tires on your car in the middle of summer, which means you can be charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle if a cop stops you in summer and you've got snow tires on your car.
Okay, I hear you because I use to think the same way... get one more year out of them, right?
My research has brought to my attention that we are wrong in thinking that. If we think that we can get "one more year" out of a set of snow tires, they're already useless as snow tires from a technical as well as a potential litigation perspective, particularly if their state of wear is obvious to us as laypersons.
From a technical perspective, as soon as a snow tire is 55% worn with 45% of the original tread remaining, it is no longer considered a "snow tire" by definition.
From a potential litigation perspective, if you're involved in an auto accident between November and April regardless of the road surface condition and it was determined that your "snow tires" were worn by 55% or greater, you will actually be charged by police with being 'partially at fault' for the collision, even if the other car was totally 'at fault' who caused the collision.
The same analogy applies if you run summer tires in winter and are involved in an auto collision, even on dry roads in winter.
The reason for this is that your snow tires would be deemed unsafe for winter driving conditions and therefore were 'partially causal' in the collision. This is because it would be argued that you could have avoided the collision on your end if you had proper tires on your vehicle. Your insurance premiums would double over that one.
The design difference between summer tires versus winter tires/snow tires (3 different categories here) are one of temperature. Each tire category is only legal to use under very defined temperature conditions. This means it is illegal to use snow tires on your car in the middle of summer, which means you can be charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle if a cop stops you in summer and you've got snow tires on your car.
SUPERVlXEN · F
@swirlie
Nah, I have my mechanic's word on this. So, they're more than good for our winter weather conditions. The summer tyres tho will need to be changed before I get them back on the car in the Spring.
Nah, I have my mechanic's word on this. So, they're more than good for our winter weather conditions. The summer tyres tho will need to be changed before I get them back on the car in the Spring.
swirlie · F
@SUPERVlXEN
It's always good to know what your mechanic's word is based on, which means your own knowledge of tyres becomes a very valuable "second opinion", which is why I provided this information to you.
Keep in mind as well that a mechanic is legally required to make sure the tyres are not too badly worn and that they meet legal roadworthiness standards, however most mechanics are not well-versed in the functionality of the snow tread itself, only that the tyres are technically legal to be on the car, period.
Just because a tyre is legal for another winter as declared by your mechanic, does not mean that those snow tyres are safe and functional as a 'snow tyre'. That was the whole point of my post.
Any snow tyre that is deemed basically legal for one more winter is already well beyond their safe and functional standard as a snow tyre and any mechanic who tells you that your tyres are good for one more winter, requires a second opinion.
It's always good to know what your mechanic's word is based on, which means your own knowledge of tyres becomes a very valuable "second opinion", which is why I provided this information to you.
Keep in mind as well that a mechanic is legally required to make sure the tyres are not too badly worn and that they meet legal roadworthiness standards, however most mechanics are not well-versed in the functionality of the snow tread itself, only that the tyres are technically legal to be on the car, period.
Just because a tyre is legal for another winter as declared by your mechanic, does not mean that those snow tyres are safe and functional as a 'snow tyre'. That was the whole point of my post.
Any snow tyre that is deemed basically legal for one more winter is already well beyond their safe and functional standard as a snow tyre and any mechanic who tells you that your tyres are good for one more winter, requires a second opinion.
SUPERVlXEN · F
@swirlie
My mechanic is also a close friend and wouldn't endanger my security or health. As I stated, my snow tyres are the best functional to the climate I live in. You won't have to spend long paragraphs up and down on me with trivial I can look up myself on the internet. Thank you.
My mechanic is also a close friend and wouldn't endanger my security or health. As I stated, my snow tyres are the best functional to the climate I live in. You won't have to spend long paragraphs up and down on me with trivial I can look up myself on the internet. Thank you.