It’s one of the most common questions Canadian drivers ask: what makes all-season tires different from winter tires, and can I use them interchangeably? The good news is that just like choosing auto insurance, finding the right type of tire for your vehicle’s needs is easy. 

Why is it important to choose the right tire type?

And, why should you care? Well, the right type of tire for the road conditions helps keep you, your family, and others safe by helping you (the driver) stay in control of your vehicle. Not only that, but choosing the right tires could also save you money on your insurance by potentially helping you avoid auto insurance claims for at-fault accidents.

Good winter tires ensure your car stops, turns and accelerates as it should, offering maximum grip and control in driving in extreme weather. Having the wrong tires in winter could leave your car stuck in the snow, or worse, helplessly skidding and sliding out of control on slippery winter roads. Tires matter!

What is the difference between all-season and winter tires?

To put it simply, winter tires are meant for real Canadian winters (that is, sub-zero temperatures plus snow and ice) while all-season tires are not. The difference between all-season and winter tires is huge; some drivers (mistakenly) think both types of tire are similar enough that it doesn’t matter which one you have on your vehicle. But, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. 

Note there are other types of tires too, such as summer performance tires and all-terrain tires. But for this article, we’ll stick to the difference between winter tires and all-season tires.

All-season tires

Canadian drivers should think of all-season tires as three-season tires: good for spring, summer and fall only. Why? As Transport Canada explains, “at temperatures below 7-degrees Celsius (7°C) all-season and summer tires begin to lose elasticity, leading to less traction.” The rubber compound on these tires hardens when it gets near freezing, leading to less gripping and more slipping. 

The “all” in all-season is a misnomer because these tires are not meant for winters that include, snow, ice and near-freezing temperatures. That brings us to:

Winter tires

Winter tires are made of rubber compounds that work both above and below 7°C, and provide good performance on dry pavement, rain, ice and snow. Per Transport Canada’s recommendation, “Look for the peaked mountain with snowflake symbol when shopping for winter tires. Tires marked with this symbol meet specific snow traction performance requirements and have been designed specifically for use in severe snow conditions.”

Are winter tires mandatory in Canada?

It varies. Some provinces have rules around what tires drivers can use when. Quebec, for example, requires dedicated winter tires during the coldest months. British Columbia accepts both types of tires for most highways in winter, but the province recommends winter tires.

What are the benefits of all-season tires?

These tires generally last longer because they’re made of harder rubber compounds. Their low-profile treads usually reduce road noise. Of course, the downside is that these tread blocks and rubber compounds are entirely unsuited to temperatures below 7°C.

What are the benefits of winter tires?

Dedicated winter tires provide better stopping and cornering performance on snow and ice, compared to all-season or summer tires. Special rubber compounds and thick tread blocks are designed to grip even in sub-zero temperatures on slippery surfaces. The downside of winter tires? On dry pavement in the summer months, they may not grip as well as dedicated summer tires.

What type of driver needs all-season tires?

What type of tire you need all depends on what “winter” looks like where you live. If the temperatures never drop below 7°C and there’s never any snow or ice on the roads, then you’d likely be best served by all-season tires year-round. (Although, most of us in Canada wouldn’t really call that kind of warm-ish weather winter!)

What type of driver needs winter tires?

Again, it all depends on what the winter season looks like where you’re located. If you’re in a place where winter temperatures drop below 7°C, and the roads are occasionally covered in ice, snow and slush, then you really do need dedicated winter tires.

How can you tell if tires are all-season or winter tires?

• All-season tires typically have a “M+S” label on the side of the tire, which stands for Mud and Snow.
  
  
• Winter tires will have a Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol on the side of the tire. The symbol indicates a tire has passed a test evaluating its performance and traction on snow. 

Do I need winter tires with all-wheel drive SUV or 4x4?

Put simply, yes. An all-wheel drive or 4x4 system is not a substitute for winter tires. Even the best AWD system won’t be much help when the tires are slipping and sliding all over the place. Whether you own a car, a 4x4 pickup, or an all-wheel drive SUV, having the right tires for the road conditions is absolutely critical.

How can I save on auto insurance after choosing the right tires?

In Ontario, Sonnet offers a winter tire discount. You may be eligible if you’ve installed winter tires that have a Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol. If you’re getting a quote for auto insurance with Sonnet, add the winter tire discount to your quote by checking the box asking if you have winter tires. The winter tire savings will be instantly applied to the quote.