Even Canadians don't understand Winter tyre markings

ERJ staff report (DS)

Toronto, Canada - Up to 57 percent of Canadian drivers will head into the season without winter tyres, in areas where winter rated tyres are not mandated by law. Furthermore, nearly one in five drivers is not aware of the snowflake symbol which means the tyre is suited to Winter use.

All-weather tyres, a relatively new tyre category in Canada, bear the "mountain/snowflake" symbol. Yet only 21 percent of Canadians are aware that all-weather tyres are more effective in winter conditions than all-season tyres.

"As the leading tyre retailer in Canada, we help drivers through the winter season by offering over 3,500 different tyres including brands like Michelin, Goodyear, Hankook, Continental and Pirelli," said Carol Deacon, Associate Vice President of Automotive for Canadian Tire. "With one of the broadest tyre selections in the country, we can make sure that Canadian drivers find the right tyre for their vehicle, needs and budget."

From September 2nd to September 4th, 2011, an online survey was conducted among a sample of 1,007 Canadian adults who drive a car and who are Angus Reid Forum panel members. The margin of error on the full base - which measures sampling variability - is +/- 3.01 percent. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.

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Press release from Canadian Tire