What is the difference between all season tires, all weather tires, and winter tires?

All-season tires are designed to provide traction in dry and wet road conditions. They are ideal for spring, summer and fall. But below +7C, they lose traction. 

Winter tires are designed with a specialized compound that allows the rubber to remain flexible in cold temperatures to improve traction and grip.

All weather tires are a hybrid of all season tires and winter tires. They provide more winter performance than all season tires, as well as great performance in mild winter conditions. All weather tires are well suited to regions where snowfall is minimal and temperatures approach 0°C. 

Note that only winter and all weather tires come with the Mountain Snowflake symbol on their sidewalls. This symbol indicates the tire has been designed for use in winter conditions.

For more information, see our video How to Choose Winter Tires.

How do I know if my winter tires are worn out and need replacing?

Use a tread depth gauge. If your tread is less than 4/32 of an inch, you should consider replacing your tires. If your tires have tread less than 2/32 of an inch, they are considered legally bald and must be replaced. 

Don’t have a tread depth gauge? Try the nickel test. Take a nickel, and place it in the deepest groove of the tire, with the year at the bottom. If you can see any of the year, consider having your tires inspected, as they are likely below 4/32 of an inch and will soon need to be replaced. If you can see the year completely, the tread is likely below 2/32 of an inch. These tires are considered legally bald and must be replaced. 

For more information, see our video How to Check for Aging Tires.

Do I need different wheels with my winter tires?

When installing winter tires, you can opt to have them mounted on your existing set of wheels. But purchasing a second set of wheels can help save money on installation costs and reduce stress on the tires from demounting.

For more information, see our video How to Choose Wheels.

Do I need a full set of 4 winter tires or can I just put on 2 winter tires?
You need to install a set of 4 winter tires at the same time. If you have winter tires only on the rear of your vehicle, the front tires can lose their grip, making it hard to turn. And if you have winter tires only the front of your vehicle, you can end up oversteering because the back tires don’t have enough grip. 

What is the mountain/snowflake symbol for?

The mountain/snowflake symbol shows that a tire is a dedicated winter tire suitable for Canada’s harsh winters.

Does all wheel drive (AWD) help you drive better in winter?

No. Because AWD vehicles typically weigh more, their stopping distance can actually be longer when compared to a two-wheel drive vehicle. AWD is meant to help in driving/handling, not stopping.