Save money and stay on the road
Next set of rubbers may not be cheap, but a little due diligence helps
Rather than despairing them as an inevitable cost of driving in Canada in winter, try looking at snow tires as a consumer challenge where savvy shoppers can get the best deal while keeping themselves safe on the road.
We are saturated with an abundance of different tire manufacturers, all clamouring for our money and continued loyalty. Mail-in rebates abound and the increase in specific size coverage means a much larger selection and more competitive prices. While the initial cost of winter tires (especially with the purchase of dedicated winter rims) can be substantial ($800 to $1,500 for popular mainstream vehicles), their use can save tread wear on the summer set.
If you factor in auto insurance premium discounts for the use of snow tires (usually five per cent), over the long term these car snowboots don’t have to be a financial burden. (As of Jan. 1st, 2016, all Ontario insurance companies will be required by law to offer some type of winter tire premium discount. Currently 45 per cent of private insurers do so and the average amount is five per cent. And, of course, with snow/winter tires there’s always the proven benefit of increasing your chances of making it through another winter unscathed.)
First off, size matters. It’s always good to review how tires are sized. It basically involves three physical dimensions and load and speed ratings. On the side wall of your tires you’ll find an embossed set of numbers and letters indicating its specs. You’ll always need this information before calling a retailer to check prices.
It will usually appear as a variation of this: P225/75R16 or LT265/70R17. The P and LT stand for passenger and light truck tires, respectively. The next three numbers represent the tire’s width in millimetres and the next two numbers are the aspect ratio, which is based on the height of the tire’s side wall (the distance between the edge of the wheel rim and the top of the side wall where it meets the tread face). The number 75 means the side wall is 75 per cent of the width measurement.
Load and speed ratings seldom make a difference, except for trucks and high-speed vehicles. If your current ride is shod with anything over 17-inches in diameter (the last two numbers of your tire’s size) or has an aspect ratio below 65, you can save considerable money by checking out optional sizes.
With advice from a qualified tire retailer, you can often choose a slightly narrower tread (much better in snow or slush) with a taller side wall (often cheaper) but with the same overall circumference.
This last measurement is crucial with modern vehicles and their numerous on-board computers. If you choose the wrong circumference (anything larger or smaller by three per cent of the original size) you may run into a host of problems, from anti-lock brake failures to transmission-shifting faults and so on, not to mention inaccurate speedometer and odometer readings.
If changing the diameter of the tire is being considered, remember that you’ll have to price replacement rims as well. Many winter-tire users go with this option anyway to take advantage of lower seasonal changeover costs ($320 versus $60 per year on average). Winter rims also reduce the chance of damage to the tire or rim during dismount and mounting procedures and they will keep your alloy summer rims from the ravages of salt and winter grit.
Sorting through the choices and prices is often hard without a baseline for comparison. No tire manufacturer publishes its prices on websites and few independent shops or regional/national chains offer this data. Two glaring exceptions are Canadian Tire and TireRack.com in the U.S. By perusing the Canadian Tire website you can find out the price range of most of the popular winter tires. Figures from TireRack, however, have to be taken with a large grain of salt. Aside from the exchange rate and shipping costs, tires and other auto parts are priced very differently in Canada and in the U.S.
Knowing an average selling price is crucial to decide if you’re getting the most from a “Buy 3, Get 1 Free” advertised special (the most common tire promotion). Most retailers apply only a 20 to 25 per cent mark up on tires, but some will quote the tire company’s MSRP as the selling price for the first three. This can be an inflated figure, leaving little or no benefit to the consumer wishing to take advantage of an advertised special. So it pays to ask what price your retailer is using for a Buy 3 Get 1 special.
The top rated winter tires (as selected by Canada’s Automobile Protection Association) are Bridgestone Blizzak, Michelin X-Ice 2, Nokian Hakkapeliitta and Toyo Observe Gsi5. Winter tires can be sorted into two basic categories: ice radials and traditional snow treads. Ice radials are recognized by their very smooth (almost summer tire-like) profile, while traditional snows have the large block design with deep, wide grooves to keep snow and ice from packing up in the tread. Unless you regularly travel down deep-snow covered roads, stick with the ice radials. They are considerably quieter and have less impact on fuel mileage while still providing great traction and control.
Winter rims can also be obtained for competitive prices. First, avoid multi-fit rims that are made to fit more than one make/model of vehicle. These are seldom hub-centric, which means the weight of the vehicle on multi-fits is supported by the wheel studs instead of the hub itself. Hitting a curb or pothole can lead to wheel-fastener damage. As well, many multi-fits require special wheel nuts or spacer/adapter plates.
Direct-fit rims are readily available for mainstream vehicles from a variety of sources. Most are priced in the $70 to $100 range for 17-inch and smaller sizes. Don’t forget to check OEM products when shopping, as many carmakers have become quite competitive in their steel-rim pricing.
Some of the best deals for winter tires and rims can be found on sites such as Kijiji. Many vehicle owners who trade up to a newer vehicle find that their winter tires and rims won’t fit the new car. They often list these items for sale online, as few have the room to store them, and prices can be less than half of retail. But be cautious. Unless a seller can confirm that the rims will fit your vehicle, be prepared to dry-fit one to make sure. Confirm the tire size is correct and check for tread wear and dry-weather cracking. Small cracks that aren’t deep enough to expose the light-coloured sidewall support cords under the rubber are usually OK.