Drivers: are your winter tires losing their grip as the weather warms up? Michelin recommends an all-season solution for safer motoring

LAVAL, QC, April 14, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - It's been a long, hard winter for many Canadians and as signs of spring begin to appear coast to coast, Michelin Canada is reminding drivers that it's time to switch out winter tires for tires that can adapt to the season, while keeping road safety top of mind. Michelin Canada is also recommending an all-season solution for safer motoring with the expansion of the MICHELIN® Premier™ tire family and  the launch of the new MICHELIN® Premier™ LTX™ tire, featuring EverGrip™ technology that makes these tires safe when new and safe when worn.

Professional race car driver and Michelin driving expert Carl Nadeau encourages all Canadians to remain vigilant while driving this summer and reminds them of the importance of using tires adapted to the season: "As temperatures rise, some drivers don't give a second thought to the state of their all-season or summer tires. Worse, some even decide to keep their winter tires on. With temperatures steadily above 7°C, winter tires decline in grip and control, requiring a much greater distance to come to a complete stop compared to all-season or summer tires. And the lack of traction and control only gets worse as temperatures rise."

"Safety is our guiding principle at Michelin, and with the expansion of the Premier™ tire family, Michelin is reaffirming its commitment to the safety of all Canadian drivers," says Sylvaine Cuniberti, Marketing Director for Michelin North America (Canada) Inc. "The revolutionary MICHELIN® Premier™ LTX™  tire features the EverGrip™ tread, which evolves as it wears to prolong safety."

Presently available to dealers for order, the MICHELIN® Premier™ LTX™ tire will be introduced to the general public as of June 1^st and will initially be available in 30 sizes (from 16 to 22 inches) fitting a range of SUVs/CUVs/light trucks and utility vehicles such as the Ford Escape, Honda CRV, Toyota Rav4, and 2016 Kia Sorento among others. To complete the Premier family expansion, the MICHELIN® Premier™ A/S will also be available in an additional 12 sizes (from 15 to 17 inches).

Michelin Canada encourages drivers to prepare ahead of time, by conducting proper safety checks and adhering to a few safe-driving tips.

Check Your Tires: After all, tires are the only part of your car that touch the road.

• Check your tires for wear – Using the "Quarter Test'', put the Quarter head first into your tread. The top part of the figurehead should be partially covered by the tread. If you can see the whole head, it's time to replace the tire.
• Check the air pressure – Tires can lose up to 1 psi (pounds per square inch) of pressure every month. Use a proper pressure gauge to check pressure when tires are cold (before driving or three hours after driving). Make sure your tires are inflated to the pressure that's listed on the sticker inside the driver's door of your car.

For more tips on safe driving, visit http://www.michelin.ca/tires-101/driving-and-safety-tips/driving-tips.page

About Michelin
Michelin, the leading tire company, is dedicated to sustainably improving the mobility of goods and people by manufacturing, distributing and marketing tires for every type of vehicle. It also offers innovative business support services, digital mobility services and publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 170 countries, has 112,300 employees and operates 68 production plants in 17 countries. The Group also has a Technology Center, responsible for research and development, with operations in Europe, North America and Asia. (www.michelin.com). The MICHELIN Premier™ A/S and  LTX™ tires, featuring EverGrip™ technology are made in North America.

SOURCE Michelin Canada

Image with caption: "MICHELIN® Premier™ LTX™ tire (CNW Group/Michelin Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150414_C6537_PHOTO_EN_14277.jpg

Image with caption: "Michelin Canada (CNW Group/Michelin Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150414_C6537_PHOTO_EN_14278.jpg

Media Contacts: Robin Smith, Hill + Knowlton Strategies, 416 413 4603, 416 320 4124, [email protected]; Irene Aguzzi, Michelin North America (Canada) Inc., 514 475 7684, 450 978 7635, [email protected]