To ensure the safety of motorists during the winter, regulations stipulate that all vehicles registered in the province of Quebec must be equipped with winter tires. Driving with tires adapted to winter conditions is essential to improve road safety... A new law was recently passed at the National Assembly, in order to bring forward the date of the mandatory change of winter tires as early as 2019. Have you made an appointment with your garage yet?
With the arrival of the cold weather and snow, another inevitable event occurs: changing your summer tires for your winter tires.
A New Law for Winter Tire Change
Until now, it was only mandatory to have winter tires as of December 15th. But as of 2019, all vehicles registered in the province of Quebec and taxis must be equipped with winter tires from December 1st to March 15th inclusively. This means that you will have to make an appointment earlier with your garage to install your winter tires. Rest assured, according to our Point S specialists, this does not change much compared to previous years. Indeed, the busy and hectic tire installation period generally ends around November 22nd.
Be careful, don't wait for the first snow to have your winter tires installed! You may have to wait longer for an appointment. In addition, installing winter tires earlier than the deadline does not result in premature wear. At this time of year, cold temperatures are already ideal for the specific rubber of winter tires.
Please note that there is a seven-day exemption when purchasing a new vehicle. This grace period is granted to you when you purchase a vehicle from a dealership or merchant, but also when you acquire a vehicle from an individual. In this case, you must obtain a winter tire exemption certificate when registering the transaction with the SAAQ.
Why Put on Winter Tires?
If you do not comply with the winter tire regulations, you could be fined $200 to $300. But beyond the financial aspect, choosing the right winter tires remains a safety issue.
Summer tires are made of rubber that softens with heat to provide better grip. Conversely, it hardens during colder periods. Below 7 degrees, a summer tire loses its grip. Driving with summer tires during the winter means multiplying your braking distances by 2 on a wet road, by 4 on a snow-covered road and by 8 on ice!
For its part, the snow tire retains its elasticity because it is made with a mixture of rubber compounds that allows the tire to heat up better, even at low temperatures. In addition to this special rubber, winter tires are recognizable by the higher rate of notches on the tread pattern, which helps to better grip snow and ice. Finally, winter tires have 10 times more sipes (small grooves in the tread) that evacuate water and slush more rapidly. Winter tires have been specifically designed for the safety and comfort of drivers in extreme conditions.
Can You Keep Your Winter Tires in The Summer?
Once your winter tires are installed, don't forget that when spring arrives, you will have to make an appointment with your garage again! If it is bad to drive in winter with summer tires, it is also bad to drive with winter tires in the summer. You may wear them out prematurely, as they become too soft when the weather gets too warm. It is better to alternate winter and summer tires: thus, the lifespan of your tires could reach 90,000 km, or about 6 years of use.
When changing tires, take the opportunity to check their condition and wear. For better traction of winter tires, it is recommended that the tread depth of your tires be at least 4.8 mm (6/32 in.) at the time of installation.
Ready to change your vehicle's tires? Make an appointment now to avoid the November rush. Our specialists will advise you on the best winter tires and inform you about the storage available.