Manitoba Winter Tires in Canada

Manitoba, like many parts of Canada, experiences harsh winter conditions that summer and all-season tires are simply not built for. Although it might be tempting to leave the all-season tires on your vehicle year-round, this can be dangerous, especially when you live somewhere that experiences sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall for months on end. That is where winter tires come in. Unlike their summer or all-season counterparts, winter tires are engineered to perform in cold temperatures and on snow, slush, and ice-covered surfaces. To maintain superior traction and handling in a wide range of extreme conditions, winter tires usually feature soft rubber, dense siping, and deep tread blocks. Together, these features ensure the tire can efficiently excavate water and slush while remaining flexible. All in all, winter tires are ideal for Manitobans who drive frequently in the winter and who live in parts of the province that experience cold and snowy weather.

What is the difference between All-Season Tires and Winter Tires?

All-season tires and winter tires are not one and the same. In fact, many tire manufacturers have started referring to their all-season offerings as 3-season tires, because the simple fact of the matter is that all-season tires are really only built for spring, summer, and fall conditions in most of Canada. Especially in a province like Manitoba that experiences extreme winter weather, all-season tires do not provide the necessary traction and grip for safe driving. The main differences between all-season and winter tires come down to the tread patterns. All-season tires were developed as a hybrid between winter and summer tires, so they provide a few of the benefits of each. For example, all-season tires usually have a smooth and straight tread pattern that works to repel water, as well as a hard tread compound that makes them more durable. Thus, all-season tires are known to perform well in a wide range of weather conditions, from a hot summer’s day to a rainy day in October, but not so well when temperatures dip below 7 degrees Celsius. Winter tires on the other hand are engineered to perform exceptionally well in winter conditions, but not so well in summer conditions. That is why, if you choose to invest in winter tires, they must be swapped out once the warm weather hits. Winter tires feature high sipe densities, biting edges, deep tread blocks, and are made of soft rubber. All of these features allow them to excavate water, slush, and snow from the contact path and ultimately provide excellent traction, steering, and handling in extreme winter conditions. They perform best in temperatures of 7 degrees Celsius and below.

When Should I Change to Winter Tires?

As any Manitoban will tell you, the transition from fall to winter isn’t always the most predictable. That is why, rather than choosing a specific date or month to install your winter tires each year, it’s better to go by temperature. As mentioned above, the performance of all-season tires becomes compromised in temperatures of 7 degrees Celsius or below. Meanwhile, winter tires perform best in these colder temperatures. Thus, as soon as the daily average temperature drops below 7 degrees, and is likely to stay that way until spring, it’s time to swap out your tires. For many parts of Manitoba, this could mean swapping out your tires as early as October and leaving them on as late as April.

Why You Shouldn’t Use All-Season Tires in Winter

The decision of whether to use all-season tires during a Manitoba winter is ultimately yours. However, keep in mind that improper tire usage will not only lead to wear and tear, but it will make driving more dangerous. When all-season tires are consistently used in colder temperatures, it leads the rubber to degrade faster. Even worse, driving with all-season tires on snowy surfaces can significantly increase your chances of hydroplaning or skidding. Overall, if ice, heavy snow, and slush are par for the course during the winter months where you live, then you should seriously consider investing in winter tires.

Choose Winter Tires at Tire Warehouse

As the go-to tire retailer in Canada, Tire Warehouse has an impressive inventory of winter tires to suit all makes and models of vehicles. From Bridgestone and Firestone to Toyo, Dick Cepek, Radar, Rovelo, Atturo, and more, Tire Warehouse carries all the major global tire brands. In addition to winter tires, you’ll also find all-season, all-weather, summer, performance, and light truck and trailer tires here at Tire Warehouse. To serve you better, we offer quick delivery to all provinces in Canada, including Manitoba. Shipping is provided at a cost of just $5 per tire and we even offer a mobile installation service to all customers. With this service, a professional Tire Warehouse installer will install and balance your new tires right on the spot. Convenience, value, and expertise are what we are known for at Tire Warehouse. Contact us today to speak with an expert and learn more about winter tires at Tire Warehouse. Learn more about winter tires vs all terrain tires