Which Tires Do You Need for Winter?

Safety in the Colder Months

Three types of tires can be used in winter conditions: dedicated winter tires, all-season tires, and all-weather tires. Here’s how to choose between them.

Do You Need Winter Tires?

If you drive in Quebec, where winter tires are required by law, or British Columbia, where they’re mandatory on certain highways, you’ll need to mount winter tires by the legal start date or face a fine. Elsewhere in Canada, winter tires are recommended rather than enforced, but they have three key features that make them essential if you expect heavy snow or ice for much of the season.

First, winter tires are made of a different kind of rubber compound that stays more flexible as the temperature falls. This extra softness increases grip, providing the first level of safety that winter tires offer.

Second, winter tires have wider and deeper treads to improve traction over ice, and the treads are arranged to move snow and slush from under the wheel more efficiently, again increasing grip.

Lastly, winter tires have a rough texture made up of thousands of microscopic spikes which dig into icy surfaces, reducing the chance of skids or wheelspins.

Drawbacks of Winter Tires

Winter tires also offer a few drawbacks that mean you shouldn’t use them unless your climate is suitable. They’re designed to work best when the road temperature is near freezing or below, and at temperatures of 7°C or higher, they offer less grip than all-season or summer tires.

What’s more, winter tires are less fuel-efficient than regular ones when temperatures are above freezing, and the extra costs can mount up over a long but mild winter. Lastly, as winter tires are unsuitable for summer use, you’ll need to pay for two tire changes each year and find somewhere to store the unused set.

What About All-Season Tires?

If you live in a milder area, you might think that all-season tires would make a good compromise, protecting you in snowy weather without the minor drawbacks of winter tires when it’s warmer. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. All-season tires can handle colder temperatures and heavy rain better than summer tires, but once the snow really starts to fall, they quickly lose their grip and become little better than regular tires.

Unless you live in the mildest of coastal climates where heavy snow is rare, it’s unlikely that all-season tires will keep you safe through a full winter’s driving.

All-Weather Tires for Versatility

There’s a final type of tire that can be a good choice in areas that see some snow but don’t often hit truly harsh temperatures. All-weather tires occupy the middle ground between winter and all-season ones, performing well in moderate winter and summer temperatures alike, although extremes should be avoided. This means that, in many areas, all-weather tires can be left on your vehicle all year round, avoiding the costs of tire changes and storage. Nonetheless, if you can expect temperatures to fall consistently below freezing, dedicated winter tires still make the more prudent and reliable choice.

Ensure Your Winter Safety With a Tire Inspection

Whichever tires are best for your local climate, they need to be in the right condition to handle the coming winter. To ensure your tires are up to the cold-weather challenges ahead, please book a service appointment by clicking the button below.