KAL TIRE SHARES CHECKLIST TO HELP CANADIAN DRIVERS PREPARE FOR COLD, SNOWY ROADS

VERNON, BC - Monday, November 4, 2024

Cold temperatures and winter conditions expected across western and central Canada

VERNON, BC—As temperatures begin to drop and winter conditions set in across western and central Canada, Kal Tire is sharing tips to help drivers ensure their vehicles are ready for a safe winter driving season.

“Installing winter tires with adequate tread depth is the first step to staying safe on the roads this winter,” says Mike Butcher, vice president, store operations, Kal Tire. We all know weather can change quickly from one day to the next in Canada,” says Butcher. “It’s always safer to have your winter tires on for a few weeks when conditions are mild than to have your summer tires still on when harsh conditions hit.”

Winter tires

Drivers can look for the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol to identify a designated winter tire that has passed traction tests on snow. With special rubber compounds that stay soft in mild to very cold temperatures and deep tread blocks that grip snow, slush and ice, true winter tires and all-weather tires are designed to provide reliable grip throughout the colder months.

Starting this year, a new ice grip symbol will also help identify select tires designed to deliver superior braking and cornering performance on ice.

Winter tire pressure

Another critical and often overlooked winter safety tip is ensuring tires are properly inflated. As temperatures drop, drivers should be checking their tire pressure monthly. A temperature decrease of 10 degrees Celsius can mean a loss of 1 to 2 pounds per square inch (PSI)1, the unit used to measure tire pressure. Low tire pressure can impact vehicle handling, increase the risk of a tire blowout, shorten tire life and reduce fuel economy.

A winter-ready vehicle

A checklist to get vehicles winter-ready makes it easier to ensure nothing is missed. Some of the most important steps include:

• Check battery life and make sure battery connections are secure. Most automotive service providers can easily check battery life and report if a battery is ready for winter.

• Check wiper blades. The rubber should be changed at least twice a year so it can effectively wipe away blowing snow, rain, and slush.

• Check vehicle alignment. Misaligned vehicles can pull to one side, leading to dangerous driving situations especially in winter.

• Check condition of brakes to make sure they are working optimally for dependable stopping.

• Pack an emergency safety kit that stays in the vehicle. Include a first aid kit, flashlight, jumper cables, emergency blanket, gloves and shovel.

• Top up fluid levels. Engines and other systems need fresh and sufficient lubrication to perform at their best.

“When it’s cold out there, we want to make sure drivers are prepared for whatever driving conditions they might experience,” says Butcher. “Checking tire pressure once a month, packing a safety kit, and doing regular preventative maintenance will help avoid getting stuck on the side of the road and bring peace of mind knowing your vehicle is ready to get you safely to where you need to be.”

About Kal Tire

Kal Tire is one of Canada’s largest independent tire dealers and one of North America’s largest commercial tire dealers. Kal Tire’s Mining Tire Group is an international leader in mining tire service and supply, servicing more than 150 mine sites across five continents. The company has warehouse facilities across Canada servicing more than 260 Kal Tire retail and commercial stores. Kal Tire owns and operates 11 truck tire retread facilities across Canada, plus six earthmover retreading facilities located in Canada, the United Kingdom, Chile, Ghana and Mexico. The company employs more than 6,500 team members. For more information, visit KalTire.com.

Additional media resources:

Infographic: Winter-Ready Checklist >

Contact

For more information please contact:

Nikki Kinakin Supervisor, Communications

Communications@KalTire.com