How many Canadians use winter tires? As of 2023, the answer is 76%, according to a poll commissioned by The Tire and Rubber Association of Canada. Although winter tires are mandatory in Quebec (100% usage), use of winter tires in the remaining provinces of Canada ranges from 64% to 94%. But why do you need winter tires?
Why you need winter tires in Canada
Winter tires and snow tires: the same or different?
Snow tires came along first. Decades ago, as the number of people buying and driving cars increased, a safer option for winter driving was needed. Snow tires came on the market, and with their deep, wide treads that didn’t stiffen as much in the cold temperatures, winter driving improved.
However, snow tires were made to handle just that: snow. Most of us live in areas of Canada where snow, slush, sleet, ice, and even rain find their way onto our winter roads, making driving hazardous. The broad, deep treads of snow tires worked fine in deep snow, but they were less effective in all other winter conditions.
Winter tires provide a safer drive in the Canadian winter. Their flexible rubber tread consists of many smaller grooves designed to move snow, slush, and water through the treads and out of the way.
That may sound like winter tires are suitable for driving in warmer weather, too, but they’re not: their pliability works in 7 ˚C and lower. They become too soft in the warmer weather and can lead to slippage in the rain. Summer and all-season tires, however, become too stiff in colder temperatures.
Both situations affect your grip on the road.
Is a tire really made of rubber?
Rubber is one component of modern tires. However, if tires were made of only rubber, they’d be soft and sticky.
The exterior you see on your tire is the tread and sidewalls. Underneath all that, though, are layers consisting of fibreglass, steel, rayon, nylon, aramid, Kevlar, and polyester. These components combine to give your tires the proper balance of strength and elasticity so you can drive safely. They also react differently to hot and cold temperatures, expanding and contracting when the temperature changes enough.
Are winter tires really safer?
Quebec legislated winter tires in 2008. In 2011, their ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable (Department of Transportation and Sustainable Mobility) reviewed collision data for the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 winter seasons. They found the following:
- Winter road collisions dropped by 5%.
- There were 574 fewer people injured in a collision.
- Deaths and serious injuries had dropped by 3%.
According to the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC), winter tires offer up to 50% better traction in winter than all-season tires. Furthermore, insurance companies may give discounts to drivers who use snow tires on their cars, because the chance of collision is lower.
When to change your tires
Both Transport Canada and TRAC recommend that you change to winter tires when the outside temperature regularly reaches only 7 ˚C. (If you drive all-seasons, you can wait a little longer.)
If you have a garage change your tires, contact them at least a month in advance to book an appointment, as they often have a surge of tire changes at the last minute. Your local NAPA AUTOPRO service centre can help.
If you change your tires on your own, begin by inspecting your current set of winter tires for wear. Pay special attention to the tread depth; if it has reached 4 mm (5/32”), replace the tires. You’d like to drive on snow and ice, not going skiing or skating.
Be sure that you have everything ready ahead of time. This guide on how to change your tires will help you plan your tire change. We also suggest these handy tips for changing tires.
Visit the tire section on our website for accessories, tools, wheels, and chains. Add your vehicle in the upper left-hand corner of our website for a guaranteed fit.
Stay safe and enjoy the drive
Whether you’re enjoying a winter road trip or knuckling it through town on the morning commute, the proper snow tires can make your drive safer. Visit your local NAPA Auto Parts store for more information.