Canada is home to intense winters with even the most southern parts of the country experiencing intense winters with the snow and ice that comes with them. This means that drivers need to take extra steps in order to drive safely during the winter months.
One of the best ways to stay safe while driving in the winter months is to use snow tires. Snow tires help your car grip the ground while driving on snow and ice, greatly reducing the chance of you sliding out of control. In addition, many car insurers will offer you a discount for purchasing as set of snow tires.
There are even laws that demonstrate the importance of using winter tires. Quebec requires drivers to use winter tires from the middle of December to the middle of March. This law was passed in 2008, and it actually resulted in the brief phenomenon of people stealing winter tires. This demonstrates the importance of knowing how to shop for winter tires.
Our Picks For The Best Winter Tires In 2025
A set of high-quality snow tires will save you money and keep you safe. You should do some research on snow tires, and comparing reviews from multiple sites is a good way to find right set of snow tires for you.
Here is a list of five of the best snow tires on the market.
Studded Vs Snow Winter Tires
It is common for drivers not to know if they need snow tires or studded tires. The vast majority of drivers will want to purchase winter tires without studs. This is because snow tires should be able to handle winter conditions without the negative features of studded tires.
Studded tires are great for driving on ice, and they are a good option for people who frequently drive on unmaintained roads. However, studded tires literally dig into the road, and this has caused some places to ban the use of studded tires completely. Indoor parking garages generally ban studded tires. In addition, Southern Ontario has banned the use of studded tires.
Things To Consider When Buying Winter Tires
There are some major differences between winter tires. The most important features are ride quality, longevity, and the warranty. This will keep you safe while ensuring you get the most value for your money.
Look For A Snowflake Inside A Mountain (On The Tire)
You should look for a specific symbol to see if your winter tires are rated for Canadian winters. This symbol is a pictograph of a snowflake inside a mountain, and it should be located on the tire’s sidewall. This shows that the tire has passed a snow test by “Transport Canada” to see if it can handle medium snowpack conditions.
A tire with this symbol should be able to handle normal Canadian winter driving conditions. It is important to look for this symbol as some manufacturers may simply imply that their tires are good for winter driving. In addition, it is common for people to confuse “all-season” tires for “winter” tires.
When Should I Change Over To Winter Tires?
You should change over to winter tires in anticipation of winter. This will allow you to be ready for the first snowfall or cold temperatures. You should use winter tires whenever the temperature gets below seven degrees Fahrenheit. This is because the soft tread on winter tires will help your car grip to the road.
It is important to start using winter tires when it first starts to get cold. This is because it takes time to put four tires on your vehicle. This results in many drivers procrastinating until it is deep into winter. You should put winter tires on right away as it will allow you to drive safely and navigate roads where other drivers may not have winter tires yet.
You should not use your winter tires during the summer months. This is because the soft rubber on winter tires will break down quicker when driving on warm roads. This will result in you wearing down your valuable tires quickly. In addition, winter tires will not offer the same performance features as all-weather tires during hot weather.
Purchase Your Winter Tires Early
You should purchase your winter tires early. This is because many drivers think that they will be able to purchase them anytime. However, many tire shops run out of winter tires early in the season. In addition, manufacturers switch over to producing all-season tires in anticipation of springtime. This means that you may not be able to get the tires you want, have to pay higher prices, and you might simply not be able to get winter tires if you delay purchasing your tires.
In addition, many mechanics will have trouble keeping up with the demand to change tires. This will usually require you to go on a waiting list. You can get your tires changed quicker and more conveniently if you schedule a tire change early.
Use A Complete Set Of Snow Tires
In the past, drivers use to only put a set of snow tires on either the front or back wheels of the vehicle. This was because drivers assumed that they would only need traction on the wheels that propelled the vehicle. This practice resulted in many vehicles losing control while driving, and it is heavily recommended that drivers do not follow this practice.
A full set of winter tires will allow your car to operate safely. In addition, a full set allows a car’s traction control system to better operate.
How Long Do Winter Tires Last With Proper Care?
It is important to make sure that your winter tires are not worn out. This is because you will not get the benefits from their aggressive tread during weather conditions when you will need your car to stick to the road.
However, there is some debate over how long winter tires will last. There is a difference in the longevity of different kinds of winter tires. Most manufacturers will rate their tires as being good for six seasons. However, Transport Canada says the tires should be good for ten seasons. You should inspect your tires regularly to see if they show signs of damage or wear.
You can check to see how old your winter tires are by reading the ID number on the wall of the tire. The last four digits of the ID number is the year it was manufactured.
How To Maintain Winter Tires
Winter tires are softer than traditional tires with their tread being important to allowing them to function as winter tires. This means that winter tires can wear out quickly, and so it is important to know how to maintain them properly.
It is important to make sure that your tires are properly inflated. This will help to stop the walls of the tires from touching the road. This is especially important in the winter months as the pressure in tires can change by one pound per square inch for every ten degrees (F) in temperature change.
You should also rotate your winter tires frequently. This is because winter tires are soft, and because driving on snow results in the tires sliding more frequently. Regularly changing your tires will help to change the wear pattern on each individual tire. This will allow your tires to retain their tread for longer.