When To Put On Winter Tires Ontario Insurance?

Some insurance companies require that you have winter tires on your car from November 1 to April 1 to qualify for the winter tire insurance discount. According to several companies, winter tires must be worn starting November 15.

When should you put winter tires on in Ontario?

Drivers should switch to winter tires as soon as the temperature persistently drops below 7°C to benefit from improved traction, braking, and handling in all winter situations, including snowy, ice, and cold and dry roads.

What month should you put winter tires on?

Winter tires are required between Thanksgiving and Easter, according to the conventional rule. These holidays serve as markers since they occur at the beginning and end of the season when temperatures are anticipated to be at or below 7°C on a regular basis.

Be Prepared for 7°C

Winter tires have been carefully engineered by all of the major brands for better handling, traction, and braking distances in any scenario when the temperature drops below 7°C. As a result, they are universally valuable for Canadians, regardless of where they live. Winter tires allow drivers to be prepared for not only cold weather, but also snow, slush, freezing rain, and ice, all of which are common in our area during the winter.

Because tire producers are dedicated to developing, redesigning, and improving a wide range of high-quality, functional, and safe snow tires, there will be a wonderful set of winter tires for any car owner. Regardless of your driving style, there is bound to be an option that meets your needs in terms of style, appearance, and performance to keep you in command of your car when you need it most.

Rubber Compounds & Traction

Because of how the rubber compound reacts at different temperatures, 7°C is a crucial temperature for all-season tires: above that temperature, the compound used in all-season tires becomes flexible, allowing for shorter stopping distances and giving drivers more control over their vehicles. Drivers may notice that their all-season tires stiffen below that temperature, leading in increased braking distances in cold, wet, and snowy conditions—not an ideal discovery to make during poor weather!

Is it law to put on snow tires in Ontario?

“Are winter tires required in Ontario?” is a simple question to answer. Winter tires are not legally required in Ontario, so the answer is no. They are, however, advised, and you may be eligible for a discount on your auto insurance if you install them.

Vehicles are not required to be equipped with winter tires in Alberta, Nova Scotia, or New Brunswick during the winter months.

When should I replace my snow tires in Ontario?

Because the weather in Ontario is so fickle, a decent rule of thumb for when to put on your winter tires is to go by temperature. According to the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada, winter tires should be put as soon as the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius.

Is it too early to put on winter tires?

It’s crucial not to put your winter tires on too soon, as temperatures above 50-55 degrees might cause issues. This is due to the fact that they were created to function best in temperatures below freezing. You can securely mount your winter tires after the temperature is consistently below 45 degrees.

Is it bad to put winter tires on early?

You must be strategic if you want to beat out everyone else who is attempting to get their tires replaced. Rushing in at the end of August can ruin the winter tire tread if you switch out the tires too soon. However, you must plan it correctly to avoid excessive wait times that could jeopardize your safety once the snow begins to fall. The right time is determined by the temperature outside, rather than by a precise day. As a result, keep an eye on the weather forecast.

What is too warm for winter tires?

Because the tread compounds cannot remain firm enough to give good traction in temperatures over 45-50 degrees, winter tires are not recommended for usage in these temperatures. They will also degrade more quickly. Winter tires are best built to grip the ground precisely in freezing weather on slick roadways.

What temperature is too cold for winter tires?

The answer is obviously different each year, as the seasons feel very different from one winter to the next. It’s also not the same for everyone, because frigid temperatures affect different parts of the country at different times.

Tires are similar to footwear in this regard. People in some places of the world can wear the same shoes all year because temperatures don’t fluctuate as much. However, in locations where the weather changes frequently, the concept of “all-season” tires is as bizarre as wearing sandals in a blizzard or winter boots in the summer. In both +20°C and -20°C, we require appropriate footwear for outdoor activities. While we don’t have to change our shoes as frequently as we do our tires, it’s still critical that your car is appropriately “dressed” for the season in order to run well.

Just as the term “all-season tires” is misleading, so is the term “snow tires” – and even the term “winter tires” is misleading, because these tires are built for a variety of weather situations (essentially whenever it’s cold outside).

Here’s the rule: once your local temperature is consistently at or below 7 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit), major tire manufacturers recommend switching to winter tires.

If you care about the safety of yourself, your family, and other road users, you should make sure your vehicle is equipped with the appropriate tires. So, when is the best time to make the switch? To get an indication of when to prepare for colder weather, look at your local long-term weather forecast. People in many parts of Canada and the United States are expecting plenty of snow and extreme weather fluctuations this year, thanks to the Farmer’s Almanac’s Winter 2018-19 forecast.

Why switch your tires at 7°C/45°F?

Winter tires are designed for increased handling, traction, and braking distances at a temperature of 7 degrees Celsius (45 degrees Fahrenheit) across all major tire brands.

When the temperature drops below this level, all-season tires lose their ability to function efficiently and become dangerous to drive on. The rubber hardens to the point that the friction point is lessened, similar to a hockey puck on ice, and the tires lose traction or require additional stopping distance.

When the weather turns colder and snow and ice fall, winter tires’ softer rubber and specially engineered treads provide improved grip and performance on slick terrain, as well as better traction to maneuver and brake over shorter distances.

Are winter tires required in Canada?

Tires are one of your car’s most crucial safety features. Aside from when we need to change our tires or when we get a flat, most of us don’t give our tires much thought. Tires, on the other hand, play a critical role in keeping our cars on the road and maneuvering as they should.

However, in most regions, changing your tires isn’t required by law. There are no states in the United States that require the use of winter tires. It is required by legislation in two provinces in Canada:

  • Between December 15 and March 15, Quebec requires all cars to be equipped with winter tires.
  • Between October 1 and April 30, all cars operating on specified highways in British Columbia must be equipped with winter tires.

Winter tires, however, are required for safe driving in colder weather regardless of where you reside or travel in the northern portion of North America. In the months of October to May, all provinces and Transport Canada highly advise the usage of winter tires.

Here are 5 reasons to change your tires on time.

  • Swapping out your all-season tires for winter tires is the best approach to keep your car’s performance in winter conditions.
  • As the temperature drops, your all-season tires lose their effectiveness and become more difficult to drive on, putting you at risk of losing control on the road.

What temperature do you need winter tires?

  • It’s time to switch to winter tires when the seasonal temperature drops below 7 °C (46 °F).
  • Winter tires are effective in all types of cold weather, from snow and ice to damp and cold dry roads.
  • Install summer tires when the temperature rises over 7 degrees Celsius (46 degrees Fahrenheit).
  • Summer tires provide excellent traction on wet and dry roads, excellent curve stability, and excellent mileage performance in hot weather.
  • In moderate temperatures, all-season tires provide safety, performance, and grip without the cost, effort, or time associated with seasonal tire replacements.

Should Ontario make winter tires mandatory?

In Toronto, London, Peterborough, and other parts of Ontario, poor winter driving conditions are the leading cause of car accidents. Car accidents are caused by snow, ice, slick roads, and other winter dangers. These mishaps have the potential to cause catastrophic bodily injury.

For years, Goldfinger Law has been treating winter hazard and car accidents. Call Goldfinger Law for a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer if you or a loved one has been in a car accident due to poor winter road conditions, or if another motorist has lost control of his automobile due to poor road conditions.

There are no mandatory legislation forcing drivers to purchase winter tires in Toronto, London, Peterborough, and other portions of Ontario. Quebec, on the other hand, does. Winter tires are developed and engineered to provide better traction on cold pavement, as well as slush, ice, and snow. They’re made to withstand the elements, which we see in all parts of Ontario during the winter. Car accidents can be avoided with the use of winter tires.

Although the proposal of requiring all Ontario drivers to have winter tires has been submitted in the Ontario legislature, it is still not mandatory. Winter tires have been demonstrated in studies to improve traction in the snow, as well as on cold, wet, or icy roads. During the winter months, this will provide the driver more control of their vehicle and lessen the chances of losing control due to poor road conditions. It’s likely that if every Ontario motorist wore winter tires, the number of winter-related car accidents would decrease, although studies have yet to confirm this. On the other hand, some winter tire drivers feel so confident and in control of their vehicles that they choose to drive faster and more aggressively in snowy and icy conditions. This could amplify the effect of a car accident, resulting in more serious personal injuries.

If you’ve never driven with winter tires before, Goldfinger Law strongly advises you to do so. If one car collision is avoided as a result of winter tires, they have served their mission.