When Should You Put on Winter Tires & Take Them Off? (By Province)

Winter tires are four pieces of rubber that not only give you peace-of-mind but also much-needed grip and stability on those snowy, icy roads. These tires outperform all-weather and all-season tires when temperatures drop below 7 degrees Celsius. But does that mean you change over to winter (or snow) tires the day that mercury hits 7 degrees? 

Knowing when to change over to winter tires depends on various factors including temperature and provincial regulations. We’ll help you get a grip on when to swap over to your winter tires (and when to change back to your summer tires) and if there are any provincial rules that you should know about.

What provinces have mandatory winter tires?

While winter tires are recommended and encouraged for all Canadian drivers, there are only two provinces where winter tires are mandatory by law: Quebec and British Columbia. 

Quebec

Under the Highway Safety Code, winter tires are mandatory from December 1 to March 15. Failure to outfit your vehicle with winter tires can lead to a $200-$300 fine, plus costs. Even though December 1 is the cut-off point, winter often comes sooner in La Belle Province, which means it helps to install those tires sooner rather than later. 

British Columbia

In a province known for mountainous peaks, it’s no surprise that winter tires (or all-season mud & snow tires) are compulsory for certain highways from October 1 to April 30.

These highways include Highway 3 (Crowsnest), Highway 5 (Coquihalla), Highway 20 (Chilcotin-Bella Coola), Highway 26 (Barkerville), and Highway 37 (Stewart–Cassiar) among others.

For highways that don’t pass through mountainous passes or high snowfall regions, winter tire requirements end on March 31, but this date could be extended. The list of highways with a March 31 date includes (but is not limited to) Highway 99 (Sea to Sky), Highway 3A (Castlegar-Nelson-Creston), Highway 12 (Lytton-Lillooet), and all highways on Vancouver Island. 

Highway 1 (Trans-Canada) is one such example of a highway that has a March 31 requirement in some parts and an April 30 requirement in others. 

Signs are posted on these designated roadways to let you know when you’re on a winter tire-mandatory stretch. Vehicles not equipped are prohibited and failure to obey this law can lead to a $121 fine.

Provinces where winter tires are recommended

Manitoba

Besides Quebec and BC, all other provinces recommend the use of winter tires. However, in Manitoba, a snow-heavy province with mostly flat surfaces, you can receive a low-interest loan from the government to purchase qualifying winter tires and associated costs. As for when it’s time to put them on, temperatures usually hit around 7 degrees on average around late October, according to The Weather Network. 

Ontario

Ontario also offers an incentive to get you driving on winter tires. This comes through lower insurance premiums rather than a loan like in Manitoba. This could be as much as a 5% reduction in your premium. The average point when temperatures hit 7 degrees in Ontario varies because it’s such a large province, but usually, it’s from late October to mid-November. 

All other provinces and territories

In Alberta and Saskatchewan, winter tires are not mandatory but both governments recommend their usage during severe weather conditions. The same goes for New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and, perhaps surprisingly, the Territories. It’s a good idea to change your tires around early November in these areas when temperatures begin to hit around 7 degrees. 

When can you put studded tires on?

Studded tires are specially designed winter tires that have up to a hundred metal studs embedded into each tire. Each stud only protrudes about 1/32 of an inch from the tire’s surface but under the full weight of the car, these studs claw at ice and snow on the road like tiny pickaxes. Studded tires can help provide additional traction on snow and ice, but depending on where in Canada you live they may not be an option for you. 

Some provinces in Canada have unique regulations when it comes to studded tires, include whether or not you can have them at all, and what times of year you can drive with them on your vehicle. For more details about studded tires read our article here.

When do you take winter tires off?

Driving on winter tires when the thermometer starts to head north can be destructive. Winter tires are designed to perform best on ice and snow, not when the asphalt is hot from the sun. It’s not only unsafe, but it will also cost you money because the winter tires will degrade faster. Therefore, it’s imperative to change back to your normal tires at the right time. 

Unless you live in Quebec (March 15) or areas of BC (April 30/March 31), use the 7 degrees Celsius rule to know when to change back to standard tires in the spring. If the temperature heads above 7 degrees, go to your automotive specialist for a changeover or possibly do it yourself if possible.

Rated for Severe Snow Service: Look for the logo

According to Transport Canada, each winter tire should feature this 3-peaked mountain/snowflake (“Alpine”) logo:

This symbol indicates that the tire is certified to meet certain performance criteria in snow testing and should provide snow traction that’s better than all-season mud & snow (M+S) tires. Expect to see this symbol on the side of winter tires and all-weather tires, but not all-season tires.

Please Note: All-season mud & snow (M+S) tires also meet the mandatory winter tire requirements on B.C. roads. If no 3-peaked mountain/snowflake (“Alpine”) logo, British Columbian drivers can look for tires that feature the M+S designation.

Are all-season tires good for winter?

Don’t let the name confuse you, all-season tires are most suitable for spring, summer, and fall. That’s why some companies have changed the name to 3-season tires. 

And although all-season mud + snow tires are legal on BC highways with winter tire requirements so long as they have a tread depth of 3.5mm, it’s recommended to have winter tires or all-weather tires on your car before it starts getting really cold.

Therefore, if you use all-season or summer/performance tires, you might want to invest in a good set of winter tires as well. 

Another option is to purchase all-weather tires, which can be kept on your wheels all year round. All-weather tires also feature the Transport Canada-authorized 3-peaked mountain/snowflake (“Alpine”) logo.

So, is it cheaper to go with all-weather tires or swap between a set of winter tires and all-season tires? 

Generally, a set of four winter tires will cost you between $400 and $800. The same can be said for a set of all-season tires and a set of all-weather tires.

If all three sets cost approximately the same, you might think that a set of all-weather tires is the right choice since you’ll only have to purchase one set and forget a tire change schedule altogether. The problem is, since you’ll be driving with them for all 12 months of the year, all-weather tires have a shorter lifespan.

On the other hand, swapping out winter tires for all-season tires every six months means both sets of tires will last a lot longer. So, even though you’re paying for two sets, you won’t have to replace those tires nearly as often!

Get more information on the differences between winter, all-weather, and all-season tires here.

How do winter tires work?

Winter tires are specially designed to provide superior performance and safety in cold weather conditions, including snow, ice, and slush. Here's how winter tires work to keep you safe on the road during the harshest months:

1. Specialized Rubber Compound

• Cold-Resistant Rubber: The rubber used in winter tires is formulated to remain flexible and soft at low temperatures. Unlike all-season or summer tires, which harden in the cold, winter tires maintain their grip on the road by staying pliable even in sub-zero conditions.
• Improved Traction: This flexibility allows the tire to conform to the surface of the road, enhancing traction on icy and snowy surfaces. The rubber compound often includes silica, which improves grip and reduces rolling resistance in cold weather.

2. Unique Tread Patterns

• Deep Treads: Winter tires feature deeper treads compared to all-season or summer tires. These deeper grooves help channel snow, slush, and water away from the tire's surface, reducing the risk of hydroplaning and improving contact with the road.
• Aggressive Patterns: The tread pattern of winter tires is more aggressive, with larger and more pronounced blocks that can "bite" into snow and ice. This design enhances the tire's ability to grip slippery surfaces, providing better acceleration, cornering, and braking performance.
• Sipes: Winter tires are equipped with numerous tiny slits, known as sipes, within the tread blocks. Sipes increase the tire’s biting edges, which improves traction on ice and packed snow by providing additional contact points with the road.

3. Wide and Open Channels

• Snow and Water Evacuation: The tread design of winter tires includes wide and open channels that effectively expel snow, slush, and water from under the tire. This helps maintain consistent contact with the road, reducing the likelihood of skidding or sliding.
• Self-Cleaning: As the tire rotates, the open tread channels help "self-clean" by pushing snow out of the treads, ensuring the tire remains effective throughout the drive.

4. Enhanced Braking Performance

• Shorter Stopping Distances: The combination of flexible rubber, deep treads, and multiple sipes significantly improves braking performance on snow and ice. Winter tires are engineered to stop much more quickly in winter conditions than all-season tires, reducing the risk of accidents.
• Ice Grip: On icy surfaces, the sipes and soft rubber compound provide better grip, allowing the tire to "bite" into the ice, which reduces slipping and improves control.

5. Temperature Sensitivity

• Optimized for Cold Weather: Winter tires are designed to perform best when temperatures consistently drop below 7°C (45°F). At these temperatures, the softer rubber compound remains flexible, whereas the harder rubber of all-season or summer tires becomes less effective.
• Not for Warm Weather: The rubber compound in winter tires is not suitable for warm weather. When used in temperatures above 7°C, winter tires can wear out quickly and may not perform as effectively, which is why they should be removed once the weather warms up.

6. Performance in Snow and Ice

• Superior Traction: Winter tires provide much better traction on snow and ice compared to all-season or summer tires. This improved traction results from the combination of soft rubber, deep treads, and sipes that work together to maintain grip on slippery surfaces.
• Confidence in Harsh Conditions: By offering better control, shorter braking distances, and enhanced stability, winter tires give drivers confidence when navigating through challenging winter conditions.

What’s the cost to change winter tires?

If getting down on your hands and knees with a lug wrench doesn’t sound too appealing, getting your winter tires changed is a service you can easily find at places like Canadian Tire, Costco, and Kal Tire or pretty much any automotive garage. The price varies because you are paying the installation of each tire, plus the balancing of the tires and pressure checks. The whole process could set you back between $60 to $100+. 

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