Cost of living in Canada may mean winter tires are put on ice. Here’s why
With winter just around the corner for Canadians, many are likely dreading the age-old problem of driving in snow, but a new study shows one in three are considering not investing in winter tires due to the ongoing cost of living crisis facing the country.
The Canadian Consumer Winter Tire Study, conducted by Leger and commissioned by the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRA), found that while a large majority of the country use the tires equipped for snowy and icy roads, there’s still 31 per cent who say they’re facing costs that make winter tires a difficult purchase to make.
The study does note even with that difficulty, a large majority — 85 per cent — believe winter tires are an important investment despite that rising cost of living, meaning it may put some at odds with whether to invest or not.
“People are concerned about their finances, but also they recognize the advantages of winter tires on Canadian roads,” Michal Majernik, manager of communications with TRA Canada said in an interview.
That advantage was shown in the study, with 81 per cent of Canadians driving with winter tires noting they felt they saved them from either an accident or losing control of their vehicle when on snowy or slippery roads.
Majernik said Canadians are aware that winter tires work and as Canadians continue to face more severe weather, including snowstorms, knowing what tools they can use can be helpful, though amid ongoing inflation it’s not without issue.
“We have more severe storms perhaps and we do have winter tires and Canadians are aware that winter tires will work and they provide the safety advantages when driving in inclement weather,” he said.
“At the same time, we are sort of facing the issues of finding money to
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