When do you swap your winter tires?

As the seasons change with Manitoba's unpredictable weather thousands of drivers each year struggle with the decision of when it's time to make a change. Deciding when to book your appointment can be a bit tricky, at Jim Gauthier Chevrolet we're here to help you figure that out.

Assuming that your summer tires are 3-season tires (or all-season), a good rule of thumb in Manitoba is to use the 7x7 rule. The 7x7 rule is simple: once daytime highs are below 7 degrees Celsius for 7 days in a row it is recommended to book your appointment to install your winter tires.  Come Spring the opposite applies: once daytime highs reach over 7 degrees Celsius for 7 days in a row it should be safe to remove your winter tires.

While you do still have the risk of an early or late storm 3-season tires can handle some mild winter conditions and should be sufficient if driving cautiously.

The reason temperature is the best measurement to look at is simple. The materials that each tire is made of are designed to perform best at specific temperatures with 7 degrees being the cold weather benchmark.

While the materials and design of a three-season tire provide optimal performance, in a variety of conditions, at 7 degrees Celsius and lower, they become stiffer and performance begins to drop.  Winter tires on the other hand are designed to do the opposite and are ideal for cold, icy conditions, but begin to perform poorly and wear more quickly above 7 degrees Celsius.

Of course, with thousands of others waiting for the right conditions make sure you keep an eye on the long-term forecast to make sure you book at the best possible time for the long-term care of both your winter and summer season tires.

Tips to store your off-season tires if you choose not to use in-store storage.

1. Plan out where your storage will be – your tires should be stored in a cool, dry place and always out of direct sunlight. Most garages, sheds, and attics are not suitable due to fluctuations in temperature and humidity levels. a basement or other climate-controlled space is ideal.
2. Check the condition of your tires each time you remove or install your tires. Check tire pressure, look for cracks, bulging, discoloration, or other signs of wear, and ensure the tread depth is sufficient and consistent all the way around the tire.
3. Clean your tires before storage and, after ensuring they are fully dry, wrap them in durable tire bags which can help preserve the look and condition of your tires while in storage.
4. Tires mounted on rims are preferably stacked on their sides in a pile but can also be stood upright, or hung from a rack or hook. Unmounted tires are best stored standing upright and should never be hung as this can distort the tire.
5. Avoid chemical exposure, including tire dressing and shines. One of the harshest chemicals for your tires to be exposed to is ozone so ensure your tires are not stored near electric motors that can generate ozone (such as near a furnace, sump pump, or central vacuum). You should also avoid storage in areas with solvents, fuels, and lubricants.

Book your seasonal tire exchange: schedule-service

Shop New Tires: tire-store

Not that many years ago, some of us, with a touch of gray recall, that a V8 pickup, on a good day, pumped out less than 200 hp and 300ft/lbs of torque and had a towing capacity of about 8,700 lbs. Despite numbers lower than today’s engines these trucks had all the power needed to handle the everyday tasks of the farmers, construction workers, and tradesman who drove them.

Now we have the 2.7L 4-cylinder high-output turbo engine that naysayers love to declare has no guts, and is barely up to the task of hauling the groceries and dog food home from the shop.  In reality, the 2.7L outshines those V8s of the past by a large margin. It even measures up to the capabilities of today's V8s. So closely in fact that the naturally aspirated V8 engine better watch its’ back.

The 2.7L high-output engine has been tuned to torque, torque, and more torque which means that when you’re ready to go, it moves with an immediate responsiveness and power that surprises even the most enthusiastic V8 lover.

While the 5.3L V8, may outproduce the 2.7L in hp 355 vs 310, the 2.7L produces a whopping 430 ft/lb of torque vs the 5.3L at 383 ft/lb. That focus on high on-demand torque, delivers an impressive throttle response, with an immediate take-off that puts you back in the seat and makes towing a breeze.

Paired with the same eight-speed transmission as the 5.3L V8, in the 2.7L it feels like a perfect match. The eight-speed transmission with the 2.7L shifts smoothly, always seems to be in the right gear, and isn’t shy about downshifting when it's needed. Not that it needs too very often while riding that wave of torque.

As for towing the 2.7L in a 4x4 Crew Cab, short box layout, has a towing capacity of 9,000 lb, just 200 lbs shy of the same configuration 5.3L V8.  Once again it all comes back to that high, on-demand torque. This engine's wide-bore cylinders and dual turbo generate a nearly instantaneous response with significant torque, even at low RPM, that provides all the power needed to get plenty of mass moving quickly.

Just looking at the numbers, the 2.7L Silverado starts to look like a really great deal, especially when you account for the better fuel efficiency and lower sticker price.  Now we can compare numbers all day, but at the end of the day it’s how driving it feels, and getting behind the wheel is the only way that you can truly understand what this torque-loving truck can do.

So do yourself a favour, get in touch today, and let’s head out on a test drive in one of these hardworking trucks.  For those die-hard V8 fans hesitant to give it a shot, consider this. If you actually want to out-match the diminutive 4-cylinder 2.7L with a V8, you are going to have to go big, as in 6.2L V8, or go home, because the 2.7L officially puts the 5.3L on notice.  Don’t believe us? Your only option is to get behind the wheel and prove it.

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