Winter tires in Ontario: what to know before the first snow

When to switch, what to buy, storage, and the insurance discount most people forget to ask for.

Every November the same thing happens: the first snow falls and every tire shop in the GTA is booked for two weeks. Here’s how to beat the rush.

When to switch

A common rule is to switch when it stays below about 7°C. All-season rubber gets hard in the cold, so it grips less on cold, dry roads too, not just in snow. In the GTA that usually means late October or November.

Winter, all-season or all-weather?

• Winter tires are built for cold, snow and ice. They wear faster in summer, so swap them off in spring.
• All-weather tires carry the mountain-snowflake symbol, so they’re rated for winter, and some people run them year-round.
• All-season tires are not winter tires, despite the name.

Ask your insurer about the discount

Ontario insurers must offer a discount for winter tires. Keep your install receipt.

Rims and storage

A second set of rims makes each swap faster and cheaper, and protects your tires from being remounted twice a year. Many shops store tires for a seasonal fee if you don’t have space.

Check your tread

Try the toonie test: push a toonie into the tread. If the tread doesn’t reach the polar bear’s paws, it’s time for new ones. And check the date code on the sidewall: tires age out after roughly 6 to 10 years.