## When to remove winter tires?

Although Quebec law requires that we keep them on until March 15, snow and cold temperatures sometimes lead us to wait for a little... but not too long! Winter tires used on warm asphalt get damaged and much less efficient braking. In addition, winter tires with softer rubber will tend to have poorer handling performance, especially when cornering.

Take this opportunity to check the pressure. It's been said repeatedly that an under-inflated tire consumes more fuel and wears out prematurely. For example, a tire under-inflated by as little as four pounds results in a 2% increase in fuel consumption.

## Lose the extra pounds

For safety reasons, we drag shovels, sand, salt, traction plates, mittens, etc. It's time to take it all off and lighten your vehicle. Being overweight is as bad for your car as it is for you! The more weight you add to a vehicle, the more fuel it consumes.

## Clean, clean, clean

Salt, sand and sludge: your vehicle is probably filthy, inside and out. You need to wash it well to prevent the dirt from directly damaging the surfaces on which it is embedded or attracting moisture and rust. And you should even wash your brakes!

## For a gorgeous looking

It's best to wash your car's exterior when it's overcast, otherwise in the shade or indoors. That's because water droplets from the wash turn into miniature magnifying glasses under the sun's rays and damage the paint.

Regardless of ecological considerations, it is essential to use water to clean properly. However, a pressure washer can reduce waste by making the spray much more effective at removing dirt, especially on moldings, inside the fender well and under the vehicle. It would be helpful if you sprayed until the water dripped off.

We don't need to give you a lecture on washing a vehicle, but remember that using specialized products generally gives better results (dish soap leaves wax deposits, harsh detergents can scratch the paint and damage the shine, etc.).

You can let your vehicle air dry, but the minerals will dull all your work in the water, which will stick to your vehicle. Ideally, dry it with a microfiber towel, absorbent but not scratchy, or better yet, with a chamois.

Finally, for the more meticulous, apply a wax or sealant to your vehicle to make it shine even more and to facilitate your next wash.

## Don't forget the interior

Of course, you'll need to vacuum up all the accumulated grit and sand. While small handheld vacuums are handy, they have limited power. A few dollars invested in accessing the industrial vacuum cleaner at the gas station next door will make the job easier and save you a lot of time.

For ringed carpets, a solution of water and vinegar will help you remove the traces left by the calcium.

It is essential to clean underneath carpets to prevent moisture from setting in and causing its friend, corrosion, to attack your floor.

Clean all interior surfaces - dashboard, doors, seats - with a cloth soaked in warm water or an appropriate product. Avoid ammonia, which can damage plastics.

That leaves the windows! Use a specialized cleaner or a mixture of water and vinegar, but avoid ammonia, which can damage tinted windows and protective films.

## Everything is clean and beautiful

Now your vehicle is almost as good as new. Change the wheels if you want to rekindle the flame and give it a minor facelift. You might be surprised at the difference in style!

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How to properly clean your vehicle in the spring?

### Can we prevent brake wear?

If you don't brake hard and perform regular inspections of your brakes, you'll be able to prevent premature wear and extend the life of your tires and brakes while saving money and fuel!

#### A few drops of lubricant will save you a lot of money!

During the cold season, our brakes are under more stress than ever. Add to that calcium and salt, and your braking system may need special attention come spring. To avoid premature wear and tear and all the consequences, knowing a little about your brakes and the proper way to maintain them is essential.

## What are the brake parts?

A vehicle's braking system consists of several mechanical parts that, when properly maintained, provide optimal braking performance. The booster, master cylinder, brake fluid, line, callipers, discs, and pads are the system's main components.

All the parts are connected: when you step on the brake pedal, the pressure from your foot is transmitted to the master cylinder, which disperses brake fluid into the line. This deploys the brake pads against the discs, and the friction between these two components causes the vehicle to slow down until it is fully braked.

The discs and pads are the most likely to wear out quickly because they are constantly subjected to robust and recurring friction.

## Why and when should I have my brakes checked?

A sound braking system is essential for safe driving. That's why it's essential to make sure your brakes are working properly. Plus, maintaining your brakes will save you money in the end because you'll have to change them less often.

It is recommended that you have your brakes serviced at least once a year, preferably every six months. It makes sense to do it simultaneously by changing your tires (in the fall and spring), as the brake system components are much more accessible without the wheels!

It is important to note that owners of performance cars, commercial vehicles, and those often on the road should have their brakes inspected more regularly, every three months.

## Any signs or symptoms of brake wear?

There are a few signs that may alert you to the condition of your braking system.

First, if you hear a loud or metallic sound when you step on the brake pedal, your pads are likely worn.

If your braking distances have increased, it's also a sign that your brakes are worn.
Also, if your brake pedal doesn't offer as much resistance or if the pedal drops lower than usual, it's a good idea to have your braking system inspected.

Also, if you feel a vibration when you brake, you probably have a brake failure.

Finally, if a warning light comes on in your dashboard, whether it's for the brakes or the ABS, you should go to a mechanic shop to investigate the source of the signal.

## What does my mechanic do when he services my brakes?

When you visit a garage to have your brakes serviced, the technician will first visually inspect the various components. For the brake pads, it is the thickness that your mechanic checks: new pads are more or less 10 mm thick, and they must be replaced when they reach 2 mm. It would be best if you changed the discs simultaneously as the pads to have an optimal braking surface.

Next, your mechanic should lightly grease the calliper guides and the contact surfaces between the pads. The purpose of this lubrication is to avoid blocking, often due to rust. If they do, the constant friction between the pads and the discs causes premature wear of these parts and excessive fuel consumption.

## Can brake wear be prevented?

Besides adopting a less aggressive driving style and washing your vehicle, it is also possible to clean the discs of your brakes yourself to prevent their wear and improve braking efficiency. The salt and calcium on the roads in the winter make exposed brake parts hard to live with and cause them to rust.

That being said, to clean the discs, it is essential to use the appropriate product, i.e. brake cleaner, available in big box stores for about ten dollars. Take advantage of a time when your wheels are not on your vehicle, such as when you change your tires to clean your brakes. Spray the fluid on the discs, wait a few seconds, then wipe off the excess with a clean cloth. Be careful not to put any product (very corrosive) on the paint or rubber not to damage them.

So, especially in the spring, when you do your spring cleaning, take the time to clean your brakes well to avoid corrosion.

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Brake maintenance is an investment!

**In winter, road conditions are more hazardous and erratic, so it's crucial to adapt your driving accordingly. We thought it would be a good idea to give you some tips and tricks for winter maintenance and driving.**

## Maintenance

### Is it essential to maintain tires?

Tire maintenance is primarily a matter of prevention. Indeed, wheel alignment prevents rapid, even premature, uneven and irregular wear of your tires. Unless there is an impact or a sudden change in your vehicle's behavior, which causes it to pull to one side or the other, it is generally recommended to align and rotate your wheels every 10,000 km. Please note that some tire manufacturers require that tires be rotated after 5,000 km for their warranty to apply.

Another aspect not to be neglected to optimize the life of your tires is the pressure. An under-inflated tire, even slightly, increases the risk of overheating or even bursting. In addition, tread wear is accelerated, and fuel consumption increases.

Conversely, the tread of an over-inflated tire wears out much faster, and the tire becomes very vulnerable to impacts, so it is risky to drive on a deformed road, debris or a pothole.

### What about wheel care?

Although most cleaning products recommend using above 10°C, it is essential to wash your vehicle, even in winter. Snow, calcium, salt and dirt can eat away at metal, chrome and paint, causing rust problems on your vehicle and wheels. Ideally, choose a mild day, find a shelter, garage, car wash, underground parking lot, wash your vehicle, wax it and, most importantly, dry it. That way, you'll protect your car's paint and the finish on your wheels.

If you feel a vibration in your vehicle, check for snow or ice build-up in one or more of your wheels before rushing to your mechanic. If there is, clear the wheels and brakes, and everything should be back in order.

### Winter Driving

You've been told many times that you need to slow down and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you in winter, even if the road is dry. Why? First of all, the rubber of winter tires is softer than that of summer or four-season tires, which dramatically improves grip, but decreases road holding, especially in turns.

#### When you lose traction

If you feel your vehicle slipping under braking, don't "pump" the brake pedal, increasing the braking distance. Ideally, it would help if you pressed hard enough to slow down while avoiding triggering the ABS. This system, which releases and reapplies brake power dozens of times per second to prevent wheel lockup, also increases braking distance on snow or ice. You'll recognize it when it's triggered by an unpleasant return to the brake pedal.

The front or rear wheels can skid when you take a turn. As you approach a turn, the car wants to go straight. To keep your balance, slightly ease off the gas or brake pedal. This will put weight back on the front wheels, allowing them to turn. 

On the other hand, if you feel the rear end losing traction, a slight acceleration will put weight back on the rear wheels and stabilize the car.

The tread pattern is designed to dig into the snow, reducing stability when cornering.

Also, if you have reduced the diameter of your wheels, as recommended, the sidewalls of winter tires are more prominent and softer to better grip the ice, which again reduces handling in turns.

In short, the advice is valid, regardless of the road conditions. So, slow down, especially in curves!

## Tips and Tricks

### Should I raise my windshield wipers in case of ice?
While it may seem like a good idea to raise your wipers when there is ice on the road to prevent damage, it is a bad idea. In fact, over time, this practice can reduce the pressure of the wipers on the windshield, leading to visibility problems.

It's best to leave the wipers in position and start the engine before you start plowing or scraping the vehicle so that the heater can de-ice the windshield and clear the blades of ice. If you are in a hurry or your car is not equipped with a remote starter, start by scraping the other windows or use a little windshield washer fluid or the mixture below.

An ultra-efficient de-icer recipe
A mixture of water (1/3) and rubbing alcohol (2/3) is enough to remove the ice. However, it is essential to respect the recommended proportions for this mixture. Using only hot water would be a grave mistake, as it would simply crack the glass. Put the mixture in a spray bottle for an easy and practical application!

### How do I keep my doors from freezing?

Not everyone is lucky enough to have a garage to park their car in. The cold, coupled with condensation, can make it difficult to open the doors. To avoid this inconvenience, you can put a thin layer of petroleum jelly (yes, good old Vaseline) on the sealing rubbers or spray them with a silicone-based lubricant. You don't need to put much on; you can even wipe off the excess and avoid getting dirty with the grease.

### How to de-ice locks?

The «lock de-icer» should be kept outside the vehicle... Please put it in your briefcase, backpack, purse, diaper bag, or even in the kitchen drawer, but not in the glove compartment, where it will be inaccessible when the need to de-ice your locks arises.

As a preventative measure, you can lubricate the locks with a penetrating product such as WD-40 (but not Jig-A-Loo, which is sensitive to freezing).

### What is the fastest way to de-ice the inside of windows?

Following a scientific method, Mark Rober tested (video). He proved that the most effective technique to defrost the inside of the windows is to turn on the heater to maximum, activate the air conditioner, select air circulation with the outside (not the inside) and open at least one of the windows.

To prevent fogging, which will turn into frost, you can use a stocking filled with clumping cat litter (which absorbs moisture) and wash the inside of the windows with a liquid anti-fogging treatment or shaving cream!

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Tips and tricks to get through winter in complete safety

**Do you live in the country, or do you have to drive on back roads quite often in winter? Then you'll need to choose winter tires specifically designed for the conditions of back roads, which are often poorly maintained and both snowy and icy.**

**Here's what you should look for in terms of features.**

## Good in the snow = aggressive design and spacing

A winter tire designed to perform better on secondary roads will need to tackle large amounts of snow to better "shovel" the flakes as it passes. So look at the tread pattern and go for more aggressive designs with larger spacing between blocks. If the spaces are too small, the tire won't be able to get between the flakes, and from there, it won't move you well. You'll have maximum traction and better slush evacuation with a more open design.

## Are studded tires necessary?

A studded tire is preferable for maximum efficiency on secondary roads because you will get a superior grip on ice, as the stud clings to the icy surface as it passes. Studs are therefore not mandatory, but they do maximize efficiency on secondary roads, which are often freezing. In these conditions, the studded tire could be your ideal winter tire.

However, a studded tire is noisier than a regular winter tire. If the smooth ride is part of your criteria, you should consider it. Also, some multi-storey or underground parking lots do not allow studded tires, so consider this when purchasing.

In summary, a good winter tire for secondary roads will have an aggressive design, wider blocks, and studs in an ideal world.

## Reduce your speed

Even if your vehicle is equipped with great tires, as soon as you suspect the road is unsafe, whether it's ice or snow, the golden rule is to take it easy on the throttle. Your tires will grip the road better. Likewise, it's essential to handle the steering wheel carefully to maintain control of the vehicle. Avoid surprises caused by a drastic change in tire grip and slow down during the winter months.

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What do you need in a winter tire for secondary roads?

**In Quebec, winter tires are mandatory between December 1st and March 15th. Did you know that? As soon as the temperature drops below 7°C or the road is covered with ice or snow, the rubber of summer or all-season tires becomes hard and offers little grip.**

However, since winter weather conditions usually arrive before December 1st, it is strongly recommended to equip your vehicle with winter tires before this mandatory deadline. This way, you can avoid the last-minute rush to the garage and get caught by winter.

## Start the winter with a well-shod vehicle

For optimal traction on snowy, icy or wet roads, the tread depth of your tires should be at least 4.8 mm (6/32") at the time of installation, across the entire width of the tire.

We believe this is the minimum acceptable to avoid compromising your safety, even though the law allows tires with a tread depth of only 1.6 mm (2/32").

## How to check the date of manufacture of your tires?

Please pay attention to the date of manufacture of your tires, especially when you buy them.

A tire that is worn out or is several years old will have a hardened tread and will be less effective on snowy or icy roads.

Look for the 4-digit DOT marking on the sidewall to find out when a tire was made. For example, 1621 means the tire was manufactured in the 16th week of 2021.

Finally, you don't need to constantly monitor the thermometer to decide to install your winter tires. Late October or early November is an excellent time to install your winter tires to simplify your decision.

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Winter tires in Quebec: be ready before December 1st

**Despite the many problems related to the labor shortage or the pandemic, PMCtire.com will help you find the best prices on top brand winter tires for cars, SUVs and light trucks.**

This page contains a news article about our company PMCtire.com and our various employees and managers specializing in selling tires, wheels and parts online at the best prices.

_News provided by PMCtire | Nov 02, 2020, 14:55 ET_

SHERBROOKE, QC, Nov. 2, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - The COVID-19 pandemic and the snowbirds that will have to spend the next winter in Canada are driving an increase in online shopping and demand for winter tire installation.

These situations are in addition to the precautions and measures put in place in mechanical shops due to the second wave of COVID-19. In addition, a slowdown in tire production at the beginning of the year could cause a shortage of tires and delays in delivery for certain brands and sizes.

The pandemic has undoubtedly changed consumer habits and, inevitably, those of online purchases of winter tires that are both safer and more affordable, as is the case at PMCtire.

"The volume of online sales achieved in 2020 represents twice the level of growth of the last few years, which was already very significant. From the outset in 2008, we have relied on a personalized online tire sales service, free delivery almost everywhere in Canada, excellent prices, and a very large selection of tires and wheels. This was an excellent strategy because 12 years later, our growth continues and is accelerating exponentially. We offer more than 110,000 products, with guaranteed compatibility for your vehicle, delivered quickly to your home, to one of our affiliated garages, or to your local garage", said Pascal Boutin, President of PMCtire.

Due to the first wave of the pandemic last spring, many motorists preferred to keep their winter tires when the time came to change for summer tires. Unfortunately, some of them will have to buy new winter tires because their tires have worn out more quickly.

Because winter tires have softer rubber combined with the hot summer temperatures, the treads can degrade more quickly and increase the risk of hydroplaning and skidding in the coming season.

## When is the best time to install winter tires?

Although winter tires are not mandatory until December 1, don't be surprised by winter. British Columbia and Quebec are the only provinces in the country that have winter tire legislation. Drivers in certain mountainous areas of British Columbia must use winter or all-season tires between October 1 and April 30.

### COVID-19 : A possible nationwide winter tire shortage?

The global slowdown in tire production at the beginning of the pandemic prematurely reduced inventories. For many garages that are also facing a labor shortage, the season is shaping up to be a difficult one.

At PMCtire.com, there is a pragmatic side to things. Tires can be purchased, and the balancing has already been done by a specialized employee. With a simple jack and a key, the installation of the wheel assembly is quick and easy! PMCtire customers have the choice to install the wheels themselves, contact one of our affiliated garages across Canada, or deal with their local garage!

### Satisfied customers for 12 years

For 12 years, thousands of consumers have been choosing PMCtire, a secure e-commerce site designed to help motorists across Canada buy the best tires at the best prices! Customers, assisted by our experts, can choose from a catalog of more than 110,000 different products from leading tire and wheel manufacturers. Customers who purchase a set of 4 tires and 4 wheels receive them ready to install! PMCtire's specialists install and balance tire and wheel sets at no charge in the shop before shipping them!

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COVID-19 : A possible nationwide winter tire shortage?

If you own a passenger vehicle (Honda Civic, Volkswagen Jetta, Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, etc.), a crossover (Honda HR-V, Mazda CX-3, Nissan Kicks, Subaru Crosstrek, Volvo XC60, etc.), or an SUV (Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V, Ford Edge, Toyota RAV4, etc.), look no further! Here are our top 5 best 4-season tires, designed specifically for your vehicle!


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