15 Seconds to Safety: How to Identify a Winter Tire

We get questions about winter tires all the time. Well, not all the time – mostly in October when winter tire regulations go into effect on most BC highways until the end of March.

Drivers want to know which tires are legally considered winter tires, and which tires provide maximum performance in cold, snow and ice.

They also want to know how their vehicle is already equipped, so they can better decide if they need new tires. So, we put together a short (really short! 15 seconds, to be exact) video explaining.

Here are a couple Q and A’s to summarize:

Q: What’s the legal minimum requirement for a winter tire?

A: Tires with the Mud and Snow symbol (M+S) on the sidewall, with a minimum 3.5 mm tread depth.

Q: What winter tire provides the best performance in cold, snow and ice?

A: Tires with the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol on the sidewall provide the best traction in winter conditions. They are composed of a rubber compound that stays soft in cold temperatures. They also have an aggressive tread design for added traction on snow and ice. [Note: these tires may have both the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol and the M+S symbol on the sidewall (as shown in the video).]

So, there you have it!

Did you miss the previous installments of our 15 Seconds to Safety video series? (It’s part of the Shift Into Winter campaign). Play some catch-up below.

>> Clearing Snow Off Your Vehicle

>> Are Your Tail Lights On?

>> How to Pack Your Vehicle Emergency Kit in 15 Seconds

>> How to Measure Tread Depth in 15 Seconds

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