For those of you new to PegCityLovely, Peg City refers to the nickname of my amazing city of Winnipeg; however, we also have another nickname: WINTERPeg!
This year’s temperatures have been so mild that we haven’t really gotten into the true meaning of winter as we know it here in the ‘Peg. But it’s coming, it always does…
I must admit, I do get a bit of anxiety when we get our first dumping of snow. It’s already tough making sure you are complying with safe driving rules, nevermind adding ice and snow to the mix.
How do you prepare your car for winter?
The folks at Fountain Tire suggest to Pack a winter driving kit and put it into your car.
Items should include:
- Warm winter gloves, toque and boots
- Blanket or extra clothing
- Bag of sand or kitty litter
- Small shovel
- Ice scraper and/or snow brush
- Snacks for energy
- Extra windshield washer fluid
- First aid kit
- Flashlight and batteries
- Flares
- Waterproof matches
- Battery jumper cables
Fountain Tire is also known for, you guessed it, TIRES! Specifically, winter tires at this time of year.
DID YOU KNOW?
Canada’s Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) cites studies that show the superiority of winter tires which, unlike all-seasons and all-weathers, are specifically designed for winter.
I’m always amazed at how many posts and status updates I always see in mid to late November about friends and family getting ready to put their winter tires on. And yet, here I am, winter tire-less!
I bought my Hyundai Santa Fe in May 2006 brand spankin new and I have never put on winter tires, in 10 years!
My fiance, Michal, has owned 2 BMW’s and he always changes his tires each winter. Hmmm, now that I think about it perhaps we need a conversation about why he doesn’t’ change my tires too? hahaha (we just have never put money aside for it to be honest)
Funny stuff aside, he’s a total car guy, knows the ins and outs of vehicles, and he can tell you the specs of any car and why you should or shouldn’t buy it if you ask him. Clearly, he knows what he’s talking about!
I told him I was writing about winter driving and the usefulness of winter tires, so I asked if he could provide some insight about why he chooses to change his tires every winter, and here it is:
There is a big difference in traction, it’s not a marketing gimmick. It’s the only piece of your car that makes contact with the surface, it’s like wearing running shoes in winter instead of boots.
That being said it’s much safer especially when you have a family, and by safer I mean you are less likely to slide sideways, you can accelerate faster and brake quicker.
All this means you can drive with a lot more confidence.
It’s peace of mind.
And this is why I’m going to marry him folks! His insight is eloquently put and makes perfect sense to me without any technical mumbo-jumbo. All Season vs All Weather vs Winter, it can get a little confusing as to the benefits of each one.
DID YOU KNOW?Â
Alternating the use of winter and summer tires instead of using all-season tires year-round can offer long-term cost-saving benefits for drivers. Winter tires have been proven to both increase the likelihood of avoiding costly collisions and improve fuel economy, with a resulted reduction of 5 per cent in fuel consumption over the course of a year due to better traction.
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Soooo, guess who’s getting new winter tires this year! Yep, ME!
Oh, but you can too!
I’ll be getting mine soon and you’ll have to stay tuned to see my review of the process.
GIVEAWAY TIME!
Open to Canada only – ends December 12/16 – please be sure to check if there is a Fountain Tire near you before you enter!
What are the benefits for you and/or your family to use winter tires?
**Disclosure: This post is sponsored in partnership with Fountain Tire. **
The added grip on icy roads gives me peace of mind that driving with my family will be safer
I have lost control in bad weather with the all seasons that came with my Mazda. I bought new winter tires and it was a night and day change. I have since sold my Mazda and have a Honda so I would love a new set of tires.
great traction
The benefit is to give us extra grip in icy conditions. Living in northern Ontario we have a lot of bad road conditions and these type of tires help keep people safe. I wish more people would get them but they are expensive.
The benefits for me from using winter tires are better traction which helps to prevent accidents which keeps me safe
They keep us safer. I really find I can feel the difference in steering and braking when I have winter tires on the car as opposed to all-season tires.
We live in the North, winter tires are a must to just stay safe on our snow and icy roads.
Every one should get winter tires! At least it’d b a bit more safe!
Safety is #1 for my family ! We have never had winter tires, this would be awesome !
The biggest benefit is keeping us safe during the winter. Its definitely not worth the risk to not have winter tires
The benefits for my family of winter tires are keeping us all safer. Winter tires provide better traction on slippery roads. I am more comfortable behind the wheel when my vehicle is winterized and prepared for various road conditions. It is great peace of mind to know that I’ve taken steps to be safer on the road.
It will keep us safer during poor weather conditions!
Winter tires grip the road so I will not slide through on the icy pavement or when turning corners.
Winter Tires would give my family a safer drive on the road whatever the conditions
I have better control and i feel safer driving when i have winter tires on the car!
We live in a rural area and I have to drive our son to kindergarten 3 days a week 20 mins away so can’t imagine traveling on winter roads with nothing but winter tires!! It would be dangerous!
This will be our first winter in Canada since 2009 (and only our second since 2014). In 2009, I was in single car accident on the way home from visiting my kids in the hospital (I had triplets bron at 30 weeks!) and it was so scary. I am so afraid of having another accident and we don’t have snow tires!!! I know that they make a huge difference in the safety of my family. Thanks for hosting and the Sponsor for giving.
Besos Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
my road does not get plowed regularly and my car tires are the greatest right now to plow through the snow. new gripes and winter tires would benefit my family and I to get out of our street. This year will be a challenge because my daughter started school and I have to drive her everyday.
I live in northern Ontario, and in a town that’s quite hilly. Even WITH winter tires driving in snow conditions here can be dicey. I can’t imagine what driving would be like without snow tires. It’s just so much safer and better for peace of mind.
Winter tires are crucial for traction at night in the snow and ice!
I feel like the benefits are all about safety. We live in northern Ontario and I travel a lot for work in and out of smaller towns that don’t plow as well as main streets. Good winter tires help me stop quickly when I need to.
Benefits, so many! Aside from things like increased traction and safety, the peace of mind would be great. We’re heading on a January road trip and a new set of tires would be amazing.
Peace of mind that you know when you’re headed out in snowy, slippery conditions that you have the best possible tires to get you to your destination and back home safely.
Safety especially when driving during bad weather
Safety and peace of mind
The benefits would be with my commute to work which is outside the city. I’d feel a lot safer on the winter roads with winter tires.
Safety, better traction
Better grip on these snowy and icy roads! I travel on the highway and it gets quite scary.
Better traction and most importantly safety for the family.
I have a better grip with winter tires on, better control.
Asa parent of a new driver (16 year old girl), snow tires would give me great peace of mind! Fast stopping, better control, more control over all. Thank you so much for the chance to win a set! 🙂
I feel much more in control when I’m driving when I have winter tires on; makes such a difference.
safety!!!!
My car is notorious for getting stuck all winter long. Not in huge drifts of snow, but on icy pavement… especially when it’s on an angle or covered with just a little snow.
I would love to be able to drive throughout the winter with more confidence. And be able to get in and out of my garage on the first try.
We do not get alot of snow here but it is best to be prepared. We have the mountains surrounding us and it is imparative to have proper tires for all the road conditions!
I think the best benefit is just being prepared. You never know when bad weather will hit.
winter tires makes car handling a lot easier during the winter months, thus keeping your family safer
The biggest benefit is keeping us safe during bad weather. We travel quite a bit on the highway and there is a huge difference when we have winter tires on.
There are so many benefits to having proper tires for the conditions! It isn’t worth risking what you have to drive unsafely.