Winter Tires

Winter Tires, also known as snow tires, are tires specifically designed for use in snow and ice. They have a unique tread pattern and rubber compound that allows them to excel at winter driving. Winter tires perform best in temperatures of 7 degrees Celsius or below and should never be driven during the summer in Canada. (Just as summer tires become a liability when driven in the winter, winter tires become a liability when driven in the summer.) Further, winter tires feature a soft rubber compound that allows them to remain flexible and stable, even in freezing temperatures. They also have a blocky tread compound with heavy siping and biting edges, all of which help excavate slush and ice from the contact patch and grip the snow. Together, the features of winter tires ensure a safe, stable, and comfortable ride all winter long.

Why Winter Tires?

Winter tires offer better traction, grip, and stability than any other tire when driving in winter conditions. These tires were specially designed to not only withstand but thrive in extreme weather, such as heavy snowfall, slush, and ice. Unlike summer and all-season tires whose capabilities are severely compromised in winter weather, winter tires continue to perform, even in the harshest of conditions. Thus, if you live somewhere that experiences sub-zero temperatures, regular snowfall, and slushy or icy conditions for months on end come winter, winter tires are highly recommended. No all-season or all-weather tire out there has the same capabilities as a true winter tire.

Are Winter Tires Required in Canada?

The federal government of Canada has not issued any sort of country-wide winter tire mandate, however, certain provincial governments do require the residents of their province to use winter tires during the cold months. Quebec and British Columbia are the two Canadian provinces that have mandatory winter tire requirements. In Quebec, the mandate is in effect from December 1st until March 15th each year. In British Columbia, the mandate is not province-wide but highway-specific. This means that if you regularly drive on highways in BC that are outside of the Lower Mainland and Southern Vancouver Island, you will be required to have winter tires on your car. For these highways, the winter tire requirement takes effect on October 1st and ends either March 31st or April 30th, depending on the highway. Further, while tires are not legally required in any other Canadian province, those that experience heavy winters, such as Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and the Maritimes, do recommend it. Some of these provinces even provide incentives like lower insurance premiums or low-interest loans to

Winter Tire Brands

Given the popularity of winter tires, especially in Canada, you can expect almost every major global tire manufacturer to carry winter tires. Michelin, Bridgestone, Toyo, BFGoodrich, and Firestone are just a few of the brands that offer winter tires. Whether you’re after a budget-friendly winter tire or a high-end one, you’ll have no trouble finding a model to suit your vehicle. One of our favourite lines of winter tires comes from Bridgestone. They launched a brand called Blizzak that features some of the best winter tire technology we’ve ever seen. All Bridgestone Blizzak tires offer extreme grip, stability, and driving comfort, no matter the road conditions.

Choose Winter Tires at Tire Warehouse

As the #1 tire provider in Canada, Tire Warehouse carries a vast inventory of winter tires. Whether you require winter tires for your compact car, SUV, light truck, or commercial vehicle, you’ll be able to find them here. We have partnered with the leading global tire manufacturers in the world to ensure our customers have a wide range of options when it comes to winter tires. Plus, Tire Warehouse makes shopping for winter tires easier than ever before. You can browse, order, and have your new winter tires delivered, all from the comfort of your home. Tire Warehouse offers fast delivery times of just 2 to 4 business days and low shipping costs of $5 per tire. We also ship all across Canada, including to remote areas and the Territories. To make your shopping experience even more convenient, you can choose between having your new tires shipped directly to your home or the installer of your choice. You can also take advantage of Tire Warehouse’s mobile installation service, where an automotive professional will install and balance your newly-delivered tires right there on the spot. Contact us today to speak to one of our tire experts and learn more about our winter tire offerings. Read more about Winter Tires Tread Depth