Those of us in snow country are busy putting our snow tires back on the car at this time of year, but this time Iran into a couple of surprises when I went to Walmart to have the work done on my car.
I have a front wheel drive vehicle, so I asked to have the snow tires put on the front where they could be used to pull me through the ice and snow.
"Can't do it," said the technician, and he pulled out a letter with a highlighted section on the bottom. Apparently they have found that front wheel drive cars with snows only on the front can become unstable. Their instructions are to put the first pair of snow tires on the back where they will grip and lead to safer stops.
"But how does that help me get going?"
"It doesn't," he replied. "You'll need four snow tires."
The cynical part of my mind immediately jumped to the forefront and labelled this as a cash grab, or perhaps more kindly, as Walmart's efforts to help the manufacturing sector by selling more tires.
The more I thought about it, though, the more it made sense. If the front part of your car stops well and the back half is comparatively slippery, you could end up making a quick stop and being passed by your own back bumper, in a spin.
So, I conceded and asked to have all four tires replaced with snow tires. That lead to surprise number two.
"Can't do it," he said. "I only have two left."
Only two snow tires left in the store on November 11th???
Well, it turns out that since our neighbouring province, Quebec, has decided to make the use of snow tires mandatory, there is a shortage of snow tires in our region in Canada. I would have to go on a waiting list for my front snow tires.
So, the forecast is for snow tomorrow, and if you happen to be following me in traffic, you will no doubt be greatly impressed with how smooth and steady my car is as I come to a well-controlled stop.
You may need to wait for a while for me to get going again, though.
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