DRIVE LIKE A PRO THIS WINTER & SAVE
make winter & summer easy by a wheels-tires package
When you get a wheels and tires package for winter, switching is easy and you’ll save money in the long run. Think of it this way: your summer or all-season tires get a break and will last longer since they’re only on the road for a few months. The same goes for your winter package. But it’s not just about savings – your driving will be much safer for stopping, cornering, and getting moving from a standstill.
Rubber compounds (soft or harder) are designed for the road temperatures the tires roll on. Summer tires are best for warm conditions and winter/snow tires are best for cold. And while an all-season tire’s name suggests year-round usage, they often prove to not be up to the task for winter.
WHAT ARE WINTER TIRES AND WHY DO I NEED THEM?
Traction is the key…
Automotive engineers have spent hundreds of hours designing systems for cars that give better control through ABS and traction-control, but these systems do not improve or create winter traction – they limit the performance of your vehicle to the traction provided by your tires.
When you switch your summer shoes to boots to improve your own footing traction in snowy and icy conditions so you don’t slip, the same applies to your vehicle. Switch to winter tires!
Today’s high-tech winter tires utilize tread designs and features such as the multicell rubber compound in the Bridgestone Blizzak to give you traction in snow and ice that is considerably better than what an all-season tire can do.
Think physics: Traction comes from friction between rubber and road. In cold weather, all-season rubber gets stiff and slippery (like walking on ice in leather shoes). Winter tires use special soft compounds and aggressive tread blocks with thousands of tiny sipes (slits) that squash into snow, creating “snow-on-snow” grip – way better than rubber on ice.
Common Myths About Winter Tires – Busted!
- Myth: “All-season tires are fine year-round.”
- Reality: All-seasons are a compromise. Below 45°F (7°C), their rubber hardens like plastic, losing grip. Winter tires stay soft and flexible.
- Myth: “I have AWD/4WD, so I don’t need winter tires.” Reality: All-wheel drive helps you go faster from a stop, but does nothing for stopping or cornering. Tests show AWD with all-seasons still slides farther than FWD with winter tires!
- Myth: “Winter tires are too expensive/noisy.” Reality: A second set on rims pays for itself by doubling the life of your summer tires. Modern winter tires (like Michelin X-Ice Snow) are quieter than ever on dry roads and last 6-10 seasons with proper care.
- Myth: “I drive carefully, so I’m safe.” Reality: Even at low speeds, black ice or slush can catch anyone. Winter tires give you that extra margin when others lose control and slide into you.
Don't Risk It – Get Winter Ready Today
Every winter, thousands of crashes happen because drivers thought “it won’t happen to me.” Fines for inadequate tires (in some states/provinces), higher insurance after an accident, or worse – injuring yourself or others.
At European Auto Service Shop, we make it easy: Full winter wheel/tire packages installed, balanced, and ready to swap. Contact us today for a quote – drive like a pro, stop like a champ, and arrive safe.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: How Winter Tires Save Lives and Stop You Faster
Did you know that on ice at just 20 mph (32 km/h), a vehicle with all-season tires can take over 200 feet to stop – that’s longer than half a football field? With dedicated winter tires like Michelin X-Ice or Bridgestone Blizzak, that distance drops to under 100 feet – often 40-60% shorter!
