Installing winter tires is the first step to ensuring road-readiness
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 27, 2016 /CNW/ -- With temperatures dropping and winter weather officially underway across Canada, Bridgestone Americas (Bridgestone) is reminding Canadian drivers to select the right set of winter tires and make installation arrangements.
"The storms we saw in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and northern British Columbia earlier this month served as a harsh reminder that now is the time to prepare our vehicles for incoming winter weather," said Justin Hayes, product manager, U.S. & Canada, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. "Winter driving safety starts with installing the right set of winter tires for your vehicle and the driving conditions you will experience this season."
The Blizzak tire line from Bridgestone is engineered to handle winter's worst conditions, offering trusted performance and impressive grip in snow, slush, ice and on dry roads. Bridgestone has two flagship offerings in the Blizzak tire line: the Blizzak WS80 tire for cars and minivans and the Blizzak DM-V2 tire for crossovers, SUVs and pickup trucks. Both tires feature proprietary MultiCell™ technology from Bridgestone, which helps the tires stop safely on ice.*
Drivers taking their winter tires out of storage can perform a few simple checks to ensure they are capable of enduring another season on the road:
- Visually inspect the tires for any cracks, bulges, cuts or snags.
- Assess the tread by making sure tread wear is even across the tire.
- Ensure tires aren't too worn and that there is enough tread remaining to provide proper grip through the winter season. Tread depth is important because the tread pattern is designed to bite into the snow, creating effective snow-on-snow traction.
Once winter tires are installed, maintaining proper inflation pressure is critical. Drivers should check tire pressure regularly, particularly following significant changes in temperature. With every 5 degree Celsius drop in temperature, tires will lose 7 kPa (1 psi). Maintaining proper air pressure can help increase tires' wear life and improve fuel efficiency.
Hayes also suggests performing a basic winter vehicle maintenance check at your local automotive service provider, "We tell drivers to remember the Four Bs of winter driving – battery, brakes, blades and Blizzak winter tires. Make sure you've replaced your wiper blades recently, or even switch them to winter blades, and have your brakes and battery checked by a professional."
For information about Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires or to find a Bridgestone retailer, visit www.BridgestoneTire.ca.
*Based on stopping distance in ice rink testing of Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 tires (235/55R17) versus Firestone FR710 tires (235/55R17). Actual results may vary based on proper tire maintenance, vehicle, driving style and road conditions.
About Bridgestone Americas, Inc.:
Nashville, Tennessee-based Bridgestone Americas, Inc. (BSAM) is the U.S. subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, the world's largest tire and rubber company. BSAM and its subsidiaries develop, manufacture and market a wide range of Bridgestone, Firestone and associate brand tires to address the needs of a broad range of customers, including consumers, automotive and commercial vehicle original equipment manufacturers, and those in the agricultural, forestry and mining industries. The companies are also engaged in retreading operations throughout the Western Hemisphere and produce air springs, roofing materials, and industrial fibers and textiles. The BSAM family of companies also operates the world's largest chain of automotive tire and service centers. Guided by its One Team, One Planet message, the company is dedicated to achieving a positive environmental impact in all of the communities it calls home.
SOURCE Bridgestone Americas, Inc.
Media Center, 877-201-2373, http://www.bridgestonetire.ca
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