By Élise Tremblay
Below 7°C, the rubber in all-season tires hardens and loses grip — regardless of tread depth. That single fact is the whole case for winter tires in most of Canada, and it holds true whether you drive a compact sedan or a full-size SUV.
Look for the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol, not just the “M+S” marking. M+S is a mud-and-snow rating that all-seasons can carry; the snowflake means the tire passed a real winter traction test.
Budget for a second set of steel wheels. Mounting and dismounting tires twice a year costs more over time than a dedicated winter set on their own rims — and it’s gentler on the tires themselves.