❄️ Winter Driving

The Canadian way: the right tires, a full tank, and nowhere you need to be in a hurry.

Tires: The 7-Degree Rule

Winter tires are not just for snow. Below about 7°C, the rubber in all-season and summer tires hardens and loses grip, even on dry pavement. Winter tires stay flexible. Once daytime temperatures are regularly at or below 7°C, it is time to switch. In most of Canada, that means some time in October or November.

Look for the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol on the sidewall. That is the mark of a tested winter tire. The older M+S (mud and snow) marking alone is not the same thing.

What the Law Says

Quebec requires winter tires on passenger vehicles from December 1 to March 15, with the mountain snowflake symbol (or studded tires). The fine is $200 to $300 plus costs.

British Columbia requires winter-rated tires on designated highways from October 1 to April 30.

Other provinces have no province-wide mandate, but the physics does not check your licence plate. Many Ontario insurers offer a winter tire discount; ask yours.

Before You Go

Keep in the trunk: a shovel, a bag of sand or kitty litter, booster cables, a flashlight, a blanket, a scraper and brush, and a phone charger. A full tank of gas is part of the kit: if you get stuck, the heater is your lifeline.

Clear the whole car. Every window, the mirrors, the lights, and the roof. Snow flying off your roof is someone else's emergency.

Check the forecast and the roads. Your province's 511 service (phone, web, or app) has road conditions and closures. If the highway is closed, it is closed for a reason.

On the Road

Slow down and spread out. Stopping distances on snow and ice can be several times longer than on dry pavement. Leave room.

Brake gently, steer gently. Sudden moves are how a skid starts. If you do skid, look where you want to go and steer there, and ease off the gas.

Watch for black ice. Bridges, overpasses, and shaded stretches freeze first. If the road suddenly looks wet and shiny on a cold day, treat it as ice.

Give plows room. Never pass a working plow on the right, and stay well back. The driver cannot see you in the spray.

If You Get Stuck

Stay with the car; it is your shelter and it is easier to find than you are. Put the hazards on. If you run the engine for heat, crack a window and check the tailpipe is clear of snow, so exhaust cannot back up inside. Call for help and wait it out.

Last checked November 11, 2026. Sources: Transport Canada winter driving guidance, SAAQ winter preparation, and provincial 511 services.

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