The Ultimate Guide to Tires

Most of us rely on tires every day of our lives. Yet we understand surprisingly little about these rolling pieces of rubber that separate rim from road. Sure, we know to keep them filled with air and fix them when they’re flat – but confusion abounds about the different types, terminology and traits, from rubber composition and tread patterns to performance. We spoke to industry experts for a deep dive on the topic of tires.

Tire types explained

We spoke to Steve Carpino, Senior Consultant on Product Design and Development for Pirelli Tire North America, about the main categories of tire available to BC consumers:

All-season tires:

Formulated for a balance of attributes like comfort, noise and traction in wet, dry and light-snow conditions, all-seasons usually come with a high tread-wear rating, meaning excellent longevity. A better name would be “three-season tires,” however, as their rubber hardens and loses grip below 7°C.

Winter tires:

Created with softer rubber that maintains grip in temperatures below 7°C, winter tires boast a level of cold-weather traction superior to all other types. The three-peak mountain symbol on the sidewall means the tire has passed a government-regulated test for traction on medium-packed snow. Some winter tires come with metal studs that dig into ice, although there are laws governing when and where you can use them (in BC, tires with studs up to two millimetres are allowed on highways October 1 to April 30).

Mud and snow tires:

A variety of all-season tires (identifiable by the “M+S” designation on the sidewall), are designed with blockier and deeper grooves for evacuating mud and snow. As well, extra siping or small cuts across the tread four to seven millimetres deep, open to bite the road surface.

All-weather tires:

Think of these as all-seasons with a focus on the more extreme winter conditions of snow, ice and low temperatures. These are an option for drivers in frigid climates who want a year-round tire, as the rubber compound is designed to stay flexible above and below 7°C. Yet they can’t provide the same level of cold-weather performance as true winter tires, and they typically wear more quickly in warm weather than traditional all-seasons.

High-performance tires:

Sometimes known as summer tires, these are usually found on sport- or premium-segment vehicles. They’re capable of travelling at high speeds and designed to yield a high level of steering response and wet-dry traction. The improved steering response may give a slightly harsher, or bumpier, ride compared to the all-season range of tires.

MEMBERS SAVE

BCAA Members save 5% on all tire purchases at your local BCAA Auto Service Centre and Kal Tire. That’s about $45 in savings on a new set of tires!

Don’t mix and match

Whatever type of tire you purchase, installing four of the same kind is essential to balanced braking and steering performance. For example, if the wet-traction performance of tire A and B were significantly different, there could be very different reactions to braking and steering on the front and rear of the vehicle. This could lead to an unstable vehicle response in emergency situations.

Choosing the right set

Consider the following when shopping for tires:

Ride comfort: Look for "touring" models for a smooth ride. These have a slightly higher aspect ratio, or sidewall height (how thick the tire is between the rim and the ground) compared to tire width. A touring tire is usually a 60 or 65 series, which flexes more, soaking up bumps. A 30, 40 or 50 series tire is going to be stiffer but more responsive, as the sidewall is a little shorter.

Warranty: Most tires come with a manufacturer’s warranty covering defects, and a pro-rated mileage warranty, linked to expected tread life. Some dealers, such as BCAA Auto Service Centre and Kal Tire, also offer repair coverage, to protect against unexpected damage from things like nail punctures and potholes.

Longevity: Expect a trade-off between performance and life expectancy. Most all-seasons are rated for normal street and highway speeds, and designed to wear slowly, unlike tires rated for higher speeds.

Caring for your tires

First and foremost: make sure your tires are always pumped to the correct psi, as indicated on the car’s driver-side door placard, says Ravi Dhaliwal, Senior Operations Manager with BCAA Auto Service Centres. This helps with everything from ride quality to preventing accidental punctures. It also optimizes fuel economy, because driving on a tire that isn’t fully inflated expends extra energy. Regular tire rotation is also key to preventing early wear and other adverse symptoms – he recommends doing this every 8,000 to 10,000 kilometres. Having your wheel alignment checked regularly can also help with even tire wear.

It’s easy to monitor the health of your tread using your tires’ built-in tire wear indicators, notes Dhaliwal.

“These indicators are rubber bumps (almost like little speed bumps) in-between the tire tread patterns and are designed to be a visual indicator to tell you when the tires are worn out,” says Dhaliwal.

“When the top of the tread is even with these bumps, the tires are essentially worn out. This means a loss of traction since there are fewer grooves remaining and could seriously impair your ability to control your vehicle.”

Even if the treads look fine, it is always recommended to have your tires checked by an auto service technician, because rubber can degrade over time.

Make the switch

Once temperatures are consistently above 7°C, it’s time to switch from winter tires to all-season or summer tires. Winter tires are designed for colder conditions, and the warmer weather can cause them to wear down faster. Booking an appointment to have your tires switched at the right time helps improve handling, extends tire life, and ensures optimal safety on the road.

At the same time, it’s also a good idea to have your wheel alignment checked to ensure even tire wear, improved fuel efficiency, and smoother overall vehicle handling. A BCAA Auto Service Centre can take care of it and Members save up to 10% off labour on brakes, wheel alignments, fluid flushes, steering and chassis, and suspension*!

If you have a flat tire or vehicle breakdown, we're here to help. A BCAA Roadside Assistance driver can tow your vehicle to the nearest BCAA Auto Service Centre**. Not a BCAA Member yet? Join today.

Tires and insurance: why it matters

Even with proper tire care, unexpected damage can happen on the road. Having the right car insurance in place can help protect you financially if tire damage leads to an accident or vehicle repairs giving you extra peace of mind beyond regular maintenance.

At BCAA, we make it easy to manage your car insurance with expert support over the phone. With BCAA Optional Car Insurance, you can also get tire protection, if your tire is damaged by a pothole or puncture, we’ll help cover the cost to repair or replace it. To renew, make changes, or get a quote, call 1-888-268-2222. Plus, BCAA Members save up to 20% on BCAA Optional Car Insurance!

^{*10% Member savings applied only to the labour portion on applicable services and repairs. Discount applied before applicable taxes and fees. Cannot be combined with any other discount or coupon. Valid BCAA Membership required. Subject to change without notice, some conditions apply, see in-store for full details. **A tow to a BCAA Auto Service Centre will not count as a call against your Membership. Basic Membership holders can receive up to 50km of free towing mileage when towed to a BCAA Auto Service Centre.}