The sun is out, the snow is melting... spring is just around the corner. I bet some of you are itching to get those winter tires off. So when's a good time? Generally, when the temperature is consistently above 7 degrees (Celsius) then it's time to switch to your all-season tires.
It's important not to drive with winter tires through the warmer weather. The winter tires will deteriorate faster with high temperatures because the softer rubber compound can't withstand all that heat. This will significantly reduce the winter tires' service life (premature wear). Another symptom you might notice is very loud road noise, almost like a howling sound.
Keep in mind too that a winter tire doesn't provide you with the right grip needed in warmer temperatures. If you don't have proper grip on the road you'll be compromising braking and handling capabilities.
According to a Consumers Reports test (reported by Globe and Mail), it took a 2012 Chevy Cruze with winter tires “...about 24 feet further, on average, to stop compared to all-season tires when travelling at 60 mph (96.5km/h) on a dry track in normal temperatures. During the same test on a track sprayed with a thin layer of water, winter tires took about 31 feet further to stop.”
Click here for tips on storing your winter tires. If you're in the market for new all-season tires, read this to learn why tire date codes matter.
Image via Stoon/Freedigitalphotos.net
Recently, I came across One Million Moms’ statement that a GEICO Insurance TV commercial ‘…plays with the idea of bestiality.’ What? That cute little gecko? Nope—it turns out it’s a commercial with Maxwell the pig and he’s in a car with is date (a human girl). The commercial shows them in his car overlooking the city and the car broke down. Maxwell is showing how GEICO’s app makes it easy to call for a tow truck. His date is really disappointed that they won’t be getting any alone time since the tow truck is on its way.
On their website, One Million Moms addresses their audience with this: ‘Mom, are you fed up with the filth many segments of our society, especially the entertainment media, are throwing at our children?’ Their goal is “…to stop the exploitation of… children especially by the entertainment media” and I completely admire their stand. I do really believe that some things in media nowadays aren’t helping children (boys and girls) develop a healthy image of themselves and of others. There are certain things that children shouldn’t be subject to because they aren’t mature enough to handle it.
So while I understand the frustration of One Million Moms, I personally wouldn’t say that the GEICO commercial directly points to bestiality. I looked up the definition of bestiality (you know, in case I have this all wrong) and it’s defined as 1) savagely cruel or depraved behaviour and 2) sexual intercourse between a person and an animal.
Spill it! Do you think this GEICO ad encourage bestiality?
Check out another debatable commercial—this time from Fiat.
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