Switch to Winter Tires at 7°C for Safer Winter Driving

Switch to Winter Tires at 7°C for Safer Winter Driving

Posted on October 28, 2024

Switch to winter tires at 7 degrees for safer winter driving—it’s one of the most impactful steps you can take. But why 7 degrees? Here are seven reasons that make this temperature the ideal tipping point:

1. Winter tires perform best at 7 degrees Celsius or below

When you switch to winter tires at 7 degrees, you’re choosing a softer rubber compound than what’s used for summer or all-season tires. In cold weather, harder compounds become even stiffer, reducing grip and traction on cold pavement (which also hardens). Below 7 degrees Celsius, winter tires offer noticeably better control, whereas summer tires can feel like “ice skates” on icy roads.

Check with Drive BC for BC winter driving requirements

2. Cold surfaces reduce traction

Just as asphalt gets sticky in extreme heat, cold weather has the opposite effect, making road surfaces slick and challenging for tires. Switch to winter tires at 7 degrees, and you’ll notice they’re designed to stay grippy on these cold, wet surfaces, ensuring you’re ready for winter’s demanding conditions.

3. Deeper treads enhance snow traction

Canadian winters bring sudden snowfall that can turn a simple commute into a snow-covered adventure. At 7 degrees, we’re often close to that first snow. Winter tires with deep treads help bite through snow, slush, and rain to maximize road contact, so switch to winter tires at 7 degrees and be prepared.

4. Sipes: a hidden safety feature

Those small, wavy grooves on winter tires, called sipes, are engineering wonders. When they meet the pavement, they open slightly, drawing water into tiny pockets and then expelling it as the tire rotates. This feature helps maintain traction by minimizing water buildup under your tires.

5. Hydrophilic rubber for added grip

Moisture on cold surfaces acts like a lubricant, which can reduce traction. Toyota-approved winter tires come with a hydrophilic coating—a sponge-like layer that increases grip on icy, wet roads, helping you drive safely even in the iciest conditions.

6. Shorter stopping distances enhance safety

Tests by Britain’s Auto Express show that on wet pavement at 7 degrees Celsius, winter tires stop 7 meters sooner than summer tires from 80 km/h. This difference in braking distance can make all the difference in an emergency.

7. Microbubbles improve traction

Some Toyota-recommended winter tires use an advanced multi-cell rubber compound with micro bubbles. As the tread wears, these tiny bubbles get exposed, working like mini sipes to absorb water and improve grip on icy roads, making your drive even safer.

Looking for a set of Toyota-approved winter tires? Campbell River Tire Center has the best selection of Winter Tires approved for your Toyota. Check out our online catalogue today!