TireTalk

Winter tires are commonplace among GTA drivers. Why? Owing to the superior traction, grip, stability, and driving comfort they offer during the winter months. Although the GTA experiences milder winters than northern parts of Ontario and other parts of Canada, winter in Toronto still sees extreme cold and snowy weather. For this reason, winter tires are encouraged, even if most of your driving takes place in and around the GTA. To keep yourself and others safe on the road, there’s no smarter choice you can make than investing in a quality set of winter tires.

In terms of the best time of year to install winter tires in the GTA, we recommend sometime in October or early November. It largely depends on the weather, which changes year-to-year, but generally speaking, once temperatures reach an average of 7 degrees Celsius or below, it’s time to swap out your all-season or summer tires for winter tires. The capabilities of both summer and all-season tires become compromised in colder temperatures, whereas winter tires excel in cold conditions. You can opt to install the tires yourself or visit an auto body shop near you to have them installed and balanced by a professional.

WINTER TIRES FEATURES

Winter tires in Toronto are designed to perform in temperatures of 7 degrees Celsius and below and should be in use in climates that experience sub-zero temperatures for months on end. They have a unique tread pattern and rubber compound that allows them to out-perform their all-season or summer cousins. More specifically, winter tires are made of a soft rubber compound that stays flexible, even in freezing temperatures. All-season and summer tires, on the other hand, are made of a hard rubber that becomes rigid and stiff if driven in sub-zero temperatures. Additionally, winter tires have blocky tread patterns featuring deep, wide grooves and lots of siping and biting edges. This complex tread pattern is what enables the tire to excavate slush and water from the contact patch, allowing it to grip the road underneath. Ultimately, winter tires significantly reduce your chances of hydroplaning and offer far superior braking, steering, handling, and grip than any other type of tire available.

ARE WINTER TIRES REQUIRED IN THE GTA?

Winter tires are not legally required anywhere in Ontario, however, they are recommended, especially in more rural parts of the province. Even if you live in more urban areas, like the GTA, winter tires may still be a smart idea depending on your driving habits. For example, if you drive daily in the winter and are frequently driving on snow, slush, or ice-covered surfaces, winter tires will provide far better traction and stability than their all-season or all-weather counterparts.

Further, even though the provincial government has not implemented a winter tire mandate, some auto insurance companies will provide a discount for drivers who have winter tires installed on their vehicles during the colder months. Be sure to check this with your insurance provider in advance and confirm the exact dates that the winter tires must be on your vehicle to qualify (some insurance companies dictate that winter tires must be used between November 1st and April 1st to qualify for any sort of discount). Learn more about winter tires required BC.

Are Studded Tires Legal in Toronto?

In Toronto, studded tires are not legal. The use of studded tires is regulated by provincial laws in Ontario, and the rules are as follows:

• Southern Ontario: The use of studded tires is prohibited. This includes Toronto and other cities in southern Ontario.
• Northern Ontario: Studded tires are permitted from September 1 to May 31 for vehicles registered in northern Ontario, which is defined as areas north of and including the districts of Parry Sound and Nipissing.

If you are driving a vehicle registered in northern Ontario, you may use studded tires in southern Ontario while traveling, but this is only allowed from September 1 to May 31.

For the latest regulations and any potential changes to the law, it’s always a good idea to check with the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) or local authorities.

WINTER TIRE BRANDS

As you may have guessed, winter tires are not hard to come by in the GTA. That means that if you decide to invest in winter tires, you should have no trouble finding a set to suit your vehicle and budget. Almost every major tire manufacturer in the world makes winter tires, ranging from Toyo and Michelin to Bridgestone, Firestone, and BF Goodrich. Whether you’re after a budget-friendly winter tire or a premium model, you’ll have no trouble finding tires for your vehicle. One winter tire line we can’t recommend enough comes from Bridgestone. The Bridgestone name is already synonymous with quality, and their winter tire range, known as Blizzak, does not disappoint. All Bridgestone Blizzak tires offer extreme traction, stability, and ride comfort, even in the harshest of winter weather. If you drive a passenger car, we recommend the Blizzak WS80. Alternatively, if you drive a light truck, minivan, CUV, or SUV, then we suggest the Bridgestone Blizzak LM-80, the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1, or the Michelin Latitude X-Ice XI2. For a quality winter tire without the premium price tag, the Firestone Winterforce UV or the Firestone Winterforce 2 LT are both excellent options.

CHOOSE WINTER TIRES AT TIRE WAREHOUSE

As the #1 tire provider in Canada, Tire Warehouse has an impressive inventory of tires, including a wide range of winter tires in Toronto. We have winter tires to suit all makes and models of vehicles and all budgets. We also carry winter tires from some of the leading tire manufacturers in the world, like Bridgestone, Michelin, Firestone, Radar, BF Goodrich, and more. Plus, we make shopping for tires easier than ever before thanks to our intuitive website, fast delivery times, and low shipping fees. Though we’re headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, we ship tires all across Canada, including to the GTA. Simply visit the Tire Warehouse website, browse our offerings, select your preferred tires, check out, and your new tires will be delivered in a matter of days. Shipping costs just $5 per tire and average shipping times are 2 to 4 business days. We even offer a mobile installation service, where an automotive professional will install and balance your newly-delivered tires right there on the spot. Overall, Tire Warehouse offers unbeatable savings, an impressive inventory of winter tires, and an incredibly convenient online shopping experience. Contact us today to speak to a tire expert and learn more about our winter tire products.