Learn More

LEARN MORE...

A summer tire is no longer at top performance once roads cool down. That is why experts advise installing winter tires when the average temperature reaches 12° Celsius. At that time, the nights are cold, the asphalt temperature is lower and our summer tires lose adherence. Starting mid-September, temperatures become cooler morning and evening, which is when we use our cars the most. So this is the ideal time to switch from summer to winter tires.

Slippery Roads

Service departments are not too busy and we do not risk seeing our tires wear out too quickly. It is much more damaging to keep winter tires in the spring, when the floor has a much higher temperature, than to install them in early fall. There is no need to await the first snow... a practice that leaves many motorists at the roadside every year.

7 Degree Celsius

THE 7° CELCIUS RULE

As soon as the temperature drops below 7°C, or when there is ice or snow on the road, the rubber compound of summer and all-season tires hardens and loses its grip. Since we can generally expect such weather conditions before December 1st, it is highly recommended that you equip your vehicle with winter tires before then. (Source: Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec)

Security Question

When temperatures are at 7°C during the day, mornings and at nights approach 0° C and the roads can freeze over. In Quebec, we frequently encounter ground frost and even snow around Thanksgiving. Whereas Quebecers roll an average 720 km per two weeks, and the average length of a quality tire is about 60,000 km, October 1st can be considered as a date to remember to avoid the rush of the first snow, without overly affecting tire wear. It is a question of safety after all!

IMPORTANT TIPS

Tires are your only contact with the road. In fact, it is the surface contact of the tire that maintains grip of your vehicle. This contact surface and the level of adherence depend, inter alia, the air pressure in the tires. This is why it is suggested to check each month that the air pressure is consistent with that recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
(Source: Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec)

To be compliant, the depth of the tread of your tires should be at least 1.6 mm (2/32 in) and wear indicators must not come into contact with the road surface. To ensure you do not exceed these limits mid-season, CAA-Quebec recommends the depth be at least 4.8 mm (6/32 inch) at the time of installation.

Winter tires are made of a softer rubber for a better grip on the road surface in cold weather. The rubber compound is specially designed to meet certain flexibility criteria in temperatures as low as -30°C. Be certain that your winter tires show this pictogram. It has been mandatory since December 15, 2014 for all winter tires installed on a passenger vehicle registered in Québec.

  • Snowflake
  • Snowflake
  • Snowflake