It looks like a few factors have Chatham-Kent area residents shopping for snow tires earlier than usual.
Matt Picard, the service manager at Auto Motion on Queen St. in Chatham, says the amount of snow in the region and snow tire shortage last year, coupled with new insurance for Ontario drivers starting January 1, are all contributing to early inquiries.
"If you can prove to your insurance company that you have snow tires on your vehicle, it will actually give you a bit of a rebate on your premiums through your insurance," says Picard. "So it's another incentive for customers just to make sure that they've got the right tire on their vehicle for the right season."
Picard says the average cost of a good snow tire runs between $150 and $250 each. He also suggests you educate yourself on the different ratings, traction control reports, handling capabilities, fuel consumption, and how well they perform.
Southwestern Ontario typically has a snow tire shortage because it's usually the last region to receive snow, which typically drives consumers to buy the specialty tires.
Picard adds that late October and early November are typically ideal times to have snow tires installed.
