Snow is on the ground and now is the time people rush to their local tire shop to get those winter tires on their vehicle.

Killarney Tire Service has been busy installing winter tires for several weeks and co-owner Sean Phillips expects the rush to continue for a few more weeks. “We have been extremely busy and we are booking two or three days in advance at the moment. We just want to get everyone rolling and their tires on so we can keep them safe on the road.”

Phillips says as the temperature drops below 0 the rubber compounds of a traditional tire all-season tire start to stiffen up where as the winter tire has a lot of silica in the tread which will allow thew rubber to remain flexible and pliable in the winter.

“In the last few years technology has really advance ten fold and it continues to advance with new advancements and better technology.”

People worried about switching to winter tires might be too expensive can take advantage of financing programs offered through MPI and Sean Phillips says there’s often rebates and incentives from the various tire companies.

“When considering a switch to winter tires people need to take into consideration their driving habits are they primarily on icy roads or in deeper snow and there is the option of studded tires which a lot of people are going back to.”

Phillips says the number of people using winter tires continues to increase and he always says once you drive with winter tires you will never drive without them.