Quiz: Do You Need Winter Tires?


From time to time, I’ve heard arguments from well-meaning friends and family both for and, GASP, against winter tires. Now, if you’ve been following my blog over the last few years, you’ll know I’m a firm – no, staunch – supporter of the use of winter tires. Simply put, they’re a requirement for winter driving. Period.

However, even though I’ve spent a lot of time discussing the merits, I’ve realized that there is still a segment of the population that may not have the most up-to-date information. To help you make a more informed decision, I’ve developed the following quiz!

1. Do you live in Canada?

YES – You need winter tires.
NO – Depending on where you reside, you may not need winter tires. For example, if you see palm trees outside your window, you’re probably okay. Further information is needed.

2. Do you drive in the winter?

YES – You need winter tires.
NO – You may not need winter tires. However, please ensure you have access to safe transportation, and if you carpool or depend on another driver for a ride, insist their car is equipped with winter tires. If possible, pitch in to help with the purchase price – consider it an investment in your safety.
Now, you’ll notice that I didn’t ask if you drive in “snow”; rather, I inquired if you drive in the winter. That’s because I wanted to address one of the biggest misconceptions about winter tires: that they’re only needed once snow begins to fall. Not true! In fact, they’re essential when the temperature consistently falls below 0⁰ Celsius or freezing, which is likely to happen at some point during winter across the country. 



3. Do you have all-season tires?

YES – You need winter tires.
NO – You need winter tires.

I really wish tire manufacturers would rename “All Season” to “Three Season” for the Canadian market. While all-season tires are designed to perform well in a range of conditions, they are simply not sufficient to handle severe winter conditions of heavy ice or snow. On the other hand, winter tires are made of a rubber compound that allows them to remain flexible in cold weather, providing better grip and traction than all-season tires.
That’s it – just three questions for my informal quiz. And, if you’ve been reading between the lines, you’ll see that I’m still of the mindset that ALL Canadian drivers should invest in winter tires. For my family, I trust Michelin.

Earlier this year, we downsized from an SUV to a sedan. Changing cars meant that we also needed to source out new winter tires, and for me, it was an easy choice: having experienced the safety and performance of Michelin Latitude X-ICE Xi2 winter tires, I knew that Michelin X-ICE Xi3 winter tires would be my best option.

The Michelin X-ICE Xi3 tire provides ultimate winter confidence over many kilometres, which means I’ll be able to fully embrace winter even in the harshest conditions. Michelin uses Cross Z-Sipes Technology which creates a special 3-D design that locks the sipes in place. (What the heck are sipes? They’re fingernail-like cuts in the tire’s tread design that improves the removal of water and snow.) Combined with micro-pumps, they provide improved stability in all winter conditions. And because the sipes and micro-pumps are full-depth, their grip lasts winter after winter.

Not sure if your tires are up for the challenges of the season? The “Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake” is how you can tell whether a tire is a true winter tire. This symbol means the tire passed a specific snow traction performance test set by the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada.

This season, please remember that the safest way to navigate a Canadian winter is with winter tires. For information on products, money-saving rebates, winter driving tips and more, visit Michelin.ca.

This post is sponsored by Michelin. The opinions on this blog, as always, are my own.