Tyres must also have a tread depth of at least 3,5 mm. A combination of summer tires and chains is not an acceptable substitute. The province recommends wearing chains in extreme weather, and signs are posted on some stretches of highway urging you to wear chains “from October 1 to March 31.” Manitoba is one of many provinces that do not have a law mandating the wearing of winter tires, but instead states that studded tires are allowed from October 1 to April 30. However, one important thing to remember is that Manitoba has a winter tire program. The program encourages residents to purchase winter tires by offering low-interest financing of up to $2,000 per vehicle (up to 48 months at prime +2%). Manitobans who are approved for this winter tire funding can also use the money for additional costs such as assembly and balancing, rims, nitrogen filling, and more. Maintaining the right air pressure extends tread life and improves safety. Tire pressure drops when temperatures drop, so check pressure at least once a month when tires are cold. All provinces recommend and encourage motorists to use winter tires.
Here are their specific recommendations: There`s a reason Canadians like to talk about the weather, as one of the coldest countries in the world – only Russia, Greenland and Antarctica are colder – we have a lot to say about how winter conditions affect our lives. This particular region has some of the harshest winter conditions in all of Canada, which may be why Yukon has the highest minimum tread depth of 4mm, but don`t be fooled! Again, there is no legislation for winter tires. Yukon does not have a firm date on when winter tires should be put on, so we recommend using the same dates as in Quebec or switching to winter tires when temperatures drop below seven (7) degrees Celsius. For roads with winter tire designations, passenger vehicles, 4-wheeled vehicles, and standard four-wheel drive vehicles must use winter tires or mud and winter tires. Tyres with the following symbols are legal: studded tyres and chains are only allowed from 15 October to 1 May. However, the chains may only be used by emergency vehicles, agricultural tractors or road vehicles used for snow removal or winter maintenance. Chains and bolts are not allowed on heavy trucks. Passenger cars can use traction devices such as chains with their winter tires. Provincial law states that vehicles must use winter tires on most highways from October 1 to April 30. The requirement ends March 31 for certain roads that do not cross mountain passes or areas with heavy snowfall.
Do you own winter tires? Are they needed where you live? Would you recommend others buy winter tires? Let us know in the comments below. In Quebec, all cars (including taxis) are required by law to install winter tires from December 1 to March 15 inclusively. They must have the icon of the mountain and the snowflake. Otherwise, a fine of $200 to $300 will be imposed. Another useful guide is the SAAQ`s Highway Safety Code. They recommend using winter tires before official dates, especially in regions like Gaspã©, where winter arrives much faster than cities. The dimensions of the tires are of a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm, but the under-covered standard, as reported in winter driving forums by experienced Quebec motorcyclists, is 3.5 mm. Although it really depends on where exactly you are in Quebec. Meanwhile, studded tires are also allowed on roads from October 15 to May 1, but most would agree that there is no need to wait for the official date. New Brunswick welcomes the use of studded tires between Oct.
15 and May 1 and does not have legislation governing winter tires. The only exception to this rule is that school buses must wear winter tires during the winter season to ensure the safety of all school children. Tyres must also have a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm. Nevertheless, the recommended time to switch to winter tires should be late September to early November. The Far White North may have by far the harshest conditions in all of Canada. You can imagine that this would lead to mandatory legislation for winter tires in winter, but again, there are no regulations that say so. Regardless, the obvious feeling in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut is that winter tires are a necessity. During heavy snowfall, which can turn into ice or deep mud, the only way to drive safely with effective traction is to install winter tires. Temperatures can drop below seven (7) degrees Celsius as early as September, so be prepared for a quick change from summer to winter tires. Studded tires are available between November 1 and 31.
May and winter tires are highly recommended during this period. Surprisingly, one of Canada`s most icy and snowy regions doesn`t have a law regulating the use of winter tires, but as you might expect, winter tires are still highly recommended! The government is proposing to use winter tires and studded tires during cold seasons rather than all-season tires. Saskatchewan also has a mandatory minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm for all winter tires. Our advice? Saskatchewan can get snowy as early as October, so get these winter tires on the stats! In some mountain areas, winter tyres or chains are required by law between 1 October and 30 April. Signs are posted on highways where winter tires are required. This is usually the case when approaching high mountain passes or inland highways, where weather conditions are known to change rapidly. During this period, bolts up to 3.5 mm are allowed and must be mounted on the front and rear wheels. Vehicles weighing less than 10,000 lbs can have up to 130 bolts in total. Manitoba: Studded tires can only be used between October 1 and April 30. Below we have listed each jurisdiction`s requirements and recommendations for the use of tires, studs and chains, as well as the validity date of these requirements (start and end dates) and references to official sources.
The province of Alberta does not require vehicles to be equipped with winters in winter or has laws prohibiting the use of studded tires at any time of the year. The Ministry of Transportation recommends that all vehicles be equipped with four all-season or winter tires when driven in inclement weather. There are no regulations banning tire chains, but if they cause damage, you can be charged for it. If you buy a new set of tires, place your order well in advance of winter. Contact your tire supplier and follow industry best practices. Tire pressure decreases in cold weather. Underinflated tires wear out faster and reduce fuel efficiency. Check your tire pressure monthly and do it outside, not in a heated store.
The correct tire pressure can be found in the driver`s door or in the owner`s manual on most cars. These tires outperform M+S (Mud and Snow) tires at temperatures below 7°C. They offer the best traction on snow, ice and cold weather. They are made of a natural rubber compound that helps them stay soft and flexible when temperatures drop. This helps them keep control of the road. The following is a list of Canadian provinces and territories regarding the regulation of winter tires and winter studded tires: Winter tires are not mandatory in Ontario, but the government recommends using them between October 1 and April 30. Drivers who wear winter tires are also incentivized to save money, which includes lower insurance premiums instead of a loan, meaning savings of up to 5%. Similarly, studded tires are allowed in Northern Ontario between September 1 and May 31 in areas such as Parry Sound, Thunder Bay, Algoma and many others, but can be fined if used outside of these areas. Heavy snowfall and cool temperatures are just as common in Northern Ontario as they are in rural Quebec, so studded tires would be ideal for added safety.
It is also helpful that non-Ontario drivers be allowed to drive in Ontario with studded tires for up to one month. Regardless, Canadian winters always fall below seven (7) degrees Celsius, so it is always recommended to drive winter tires during the winter season! Tyres must bear the symbol “M+S” (mud + snow) or the three-spoke snowflake/mountain symbol (see below). Some winter tire manufacturers have a label with both symbols. The two tyres on the main driving axle shall match. Studded tires are allowed in Manitoba from October 1 to April 30, and there is no law prohibiting owners from using tire tracks. There are no regulations for tire tracks and they are allowed “as needed”. Like neighbouring Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island recommends using winter and studded tires from October 1 to May 31. However, it should be noted that the province does not intend to impose legislation on the use of winter tires.
In addition, on studded tyres, studs shall not protrude more than 3,2 mm from the tread surface. Studded tyres shall have a minimum tread depth of 1,6 mm. There are several ways to judge when your winter tires should be mounted on your car, from checking low temperatures to government regulations and the age-old trick of monitoring the current weather. However, depending on the Canadian province you are in, the rule of thumb applies: you should drive with winter tires during the winter months.