Winter is here, and you should consider road safety during this strenuous season. Having winter tires is one of the easiest things to protect yourself while driving in the snow and ice. They consist of four pieces of rubber that provide you with peace of mind when driving on snowy or icy roads.
Mobile Tire provides its customers with winter tires made from high-quality materials and small teeth that allow them to shovel through snow and ice. In cold temperatures, they are malleable and allow drivers to control slippery surfaces. Although winter tires are not required in every province and territory across Canada, in some provinces, they are mandatory. Find the full list here.
Winter tire mandates in Canadian provinces
Winter tires are appropriate for driving in cold weather and are subject to local regulations. The Highway Safety Code requires winter tires from December 1 to March 15. Winter tire requirements for highways that do not pass through mountainous terrain or areas with heavy snowfall are set to expire on March 31. Here is how provinces recommend using winter tires across Canada
- Winter tires are not required in Alberta or Saskatchewan but are recommended in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, and the Northwest Territories.
- British Columbia requires winter tires on certain highways from October 1 to April 30 each year. All-season mud and snow tires are legal on BC highways with winter tire requirements. British Columbia requires winter tires from October 31 to April 30, but the requirement ends on March 31 in some areas.
- Winter tires are required by law in Ontario, but it is recommended that you change them out when necessary. Winter tire-required sections of the Trans-Canada Highway 1 are marked by signs and can result in a $109 fine.
- All provinces recommend winter tires, but Manitoba and Ontario provide incentives to encourage you to use them. In Manitoba, you may be eligible for a low-interest government loan to cover the cost of qualifying winter tires.
Benefits of using winter tires
Winter tires, all-season tires, and all-weather tires are similar in their characteristics. All-weather tires have a shorter lifespan than regular tires and are more cost-effective than switching between winter and all-season tires. Winter tires are more effective on ice and snow, but they degrade more quickly on asphalt. They are most suitable for spring, summer, and fall. Winter tires and all-weather tires have a 3-peaked mountain/snowflake (“Alpine”) logo on the sidewall, but not all-season mud and snow (M+S) tires.
Winter tires should be switched out when the temperature consistently rises above 7 degrees Celsius. They should be kept on until the temperatures rise again in the spring.
You will likely encounter problems if you put off getting winter tires until the first snowfall. Winter tires last longer than all-season tires, so you’ll need to change them every six months. If you’re the do-it-yourself type, you can change them yourself. However, if you are unfamiliar with changing tires, you can hire a mechanic to do you. Winter tires can help you save money on your insurance premiums, and you can save thousands of dollars throughout your life.