I dont know this to be the gospel truth, but I was told by a tire retailer a year ago that most winter tires are usually only beneficial for the first season or two, and in Calgary usually just one.
Reason being, aside from the odd winter storm like this past week, we generally drive on dry pavement for most of our winters in this chinook country. The rubber compounds that make winter tires beneficial are typically softer materials and those that stick to ice are generally only the first 10 percent of the tread. This beneficial material is quickly worn off on dry pavement.
This is something that has always discouraged me from buying blizzaks for example. If we were in Quebec or somewhere that has snow for months on end I can see the benefits, but here it seems like a bit of a luxury considering our driving conditions through the majority of our winter.
Not saying anyone who has purchased winter tires is wrong for doing so. Just a couple of thoughts that were expressed to me by a "tire professional". Once again I dont know if he was full of crap or not.
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