20 Jan Best Tires for Driving in Wet Weather Conditions
Hello Raincouver,
Vancouver summer weather is wonderful but mother nature gives us unpredictable weather in our winter season. We’ve all heard that Vancouver gets rain 9 out of 12 months of the year. We even sometimes get snow and black ice. So, how do we cope with this? In Eastern Canada winter tires are required by law as the roads can be blanketed with many feet of snow. However, here in Vancouver not so often. Yet, we do get the occasional drop of that lovely white fluff. Looks great on the mountains!
What should we be concerned about when it comes to driving, we might ask ourselves.
Winter tires are always the best choice in the winter months. Winter tires are developed to be softer on the cold wet pavements. Depending on the type grip pattern you choose, winter tires will give you better traction and disperse the wet slippery roads best.
Directional Tire Patterns
Winter tires with DIRECTIONAL grooves (arrow like patterns in one direction or V-shaped) offer even greater grip on snowy patches and wet roads. Think of your tires shovelling the snow and/or spreading the water surface as your car moves forward.
Asymmetric Tire Patterns
Winter tires with ASYMMETRIC designs are made to handle best in wet conditions and give you support when maneuvering on the roads. Nowadays, major tire factories offer more Asymmetric patterns to perform combo road exposures, wet and dry. So, if you see a tire that looks like it has a half and half tread pattern designed for winter don’t be too quick to judge. These patterns are on ALL SEASON tires (M+S) and WINTER (SNOWFLAKE OR 3 PEAKS MOUNTAIN).
Symmetrical Tire Patterns
Then we have our SYMMETRICAL tire pattern that are best driven on dry roads. Their performance on wet surfaces are not the best. We see them more on regular passenger vehicles as opposed to higher performance vehicles. Not to say they aren’t good. Picture Mexico weather.
So, what have we learned so far about choosing the best winter tires? Well, it surely depends what your needs are – whether you are city driving or going up slippery, wet, hilly roads. In most cases, winter tires are a better choice regardless of the roads you take. If you plan to drive up to ski resorts or head to the interior, WINTER tires are mandatory now! So think about your driving habits and ask your trusted tire store for help picking out the winter tires best suited to your needs.
Drive safe out there!