How to Choose Winter Tires

Since 2008, all vehicles must be equipped with winter tires from December 15 to March 15. Provided by the Highway Safety Code, this measure is designed to increase road safety for the owners of a taxi or passenger vehicle registered in Quebec. However, to ensure maximum protection you have to choose the best tire for your needs. So what makes a good winter tire?

These are the best tires

There are countless tire retailers to choose from: dealerships, independent repair shops, department stores, and all of which will try to convince you their tires are the best. Know, however, that the best retailer will be the one asking you a lot of questions about your driving style and the road conditions you encounter most often. This means you have to be prepared and understand what your needs are before going out to buy winter tires.

Here are some of the questions you have to consider:

How many kilometres do you drive in winter? Do you drive mostly in cities or in rural areas?
On what type of surface do you want your tires to perform best: snow or ice?
Are you looking for good performance on asphalt or improved traction on a slippery surface?
Are you prepared to put up with tires that are a bit noisier to get better grip?
Do you need studded tires?
Do you use your vehicle to pull a trailer?

A conscientious retailer should ask all of these and other pertinent questions then offer you two choices. Don’t purchase a model of tire because it’s on sale or was recommended by a friend: it may not be the right fit for your vehicle, depending on the latter’s geometry, suspension or weight. As a general rule, a higher price is a good indicator of better tire quality and performance.

The tread: a determining factor

The distinguishing feature of winter tires is a tread design that provides a good traction on road surfaces while expelling accumulated snow and slush. Over the past few years, V-shape and zigzag tread designs have become very popular for their ability to keep the tire grooves free of snow and slush, resulting in improved adherence and safer driving.

Planning to keep your winter tires another season? Before you install them on your vehicle, check the depth of the tire tread. The law specifies that tread depth must not be less than 2/32 inch (1.6 mm) but keep in mind that by 6/32 inch you’ve already lost some traction.

Starting on December 15, 2014, only winter tires bearing the pictograph representing a mountain with a superimposed snowflake will be accepted. This regulation aims once again to improve road safety: by raising manufacturing standards, motorists will be assured they are purchasing tires designed specifically for winter driving in Quebec.