Some B.C. drivers are facing longer-than-usual waits to get snow tires because the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted deliveries and manufacturing, according to dealers who spoke with Black Press Media.
Brett Delaney, co-owner and manager of OK Tire in Langley said normally the store would have an 91裸聊视频渁bundance91裸聊视频� of winter tires.
Now, the wait for some popular brands and 91裸聊视频渘ot-so-popular sizes91裸聊视频� can be as much as six to seven weeks, Delaney estimated.
There has also been a 91裸聊视频渟pike91裸聊视频� in demand that appears to be driven by 91裸聊视频渟nowbirds91裸聊视频� who are staying in Canada this year rather than heading south to the States for the winter, Delaney added.
91裸聊视频淚t has been interesting,91裸聊视频� he commented.
Delaney expects the situation should have returned to normal by 91裸聊视频渆arly to mid-spring,91裸聊视频� but in the meantime, he advises drivers to book sooner rather than later if they want tires.
91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e booking a week, week-and-a-half ahead.91裸聊视频�
Ryan Cox, assistant manager at KAL Tire in Langley, said their store is also experiencing some delivery delays.
91裸聊视频淚t depends on the size and the brand,91裸聊视频� Cox explained.
91裸聊视频淎 lot of manufacturers are running behind schedule,91裸聊视频� Cox observed.
Most tire makers shut their factories down in March for two weeks or more as a precaution during the early days of the pandemic, with most reopening by April.
As a result, production backed up and winter tires were shipped later than usual, meaning they could be in limited supply until later into winter driving season.
Tire companies in Asian markets like China and Korea have been especially hard-hit by shipping disruptions.
At Country Tire in Langley City, owner Howie Wirsch has noticed a difference, but didn91裸聊视频檛 think it was all that unusual.
91裸聊视频淪ome sizes are getting picked over,91裸聊视频� Wirsch told the Langley Advance Times.
91裸聊视频淸But] it91裸聊视频檚 always spotty, this time of year.91裸聊视频�
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Not that everyone will be installing new snow tires.
Roughly one in 10 Canadian drivers opted to leave their winter tires on through the summer because of COVID-19, and one in six were waiting longer to get snow tires installed, according to a national survey by the KAL tire chain.
A survey of 1,633 motorists from BC to Ontario found 11 per cent of respondents never had their winter tires removed last spring, and among those who did switch out their winter tires, 60 per cent planned to wait until at least November or when snow is forecast or falling to have their winter tires installed.
Bad idea, according to Kal Tire regional director for urban retail stores Mike Butcher, who warned running winter tires through the summer can 91裸聊视频渟ignificantly91裸聊视频� reduce tire life so 91裸聊视频渢here might not be enough tread depth or grip for safe winter driving.91裸聊视频�
B.C. drivers were most likely to keep their winter tires on over summer at 18 per cent, followed by Alberta at 15 per cent and Manitoba at nine per cent
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Winter tires or chains are required on . For select highways not located through mountain passes, tire and chain requirements end March 31.
Drivers caught without proper winter tires 91裸聊视频� which must also be in good condition 91裸聊视频� face a $109 fine.
dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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