I know firsthand how much of a hassle winter tires in Vancouver can be.

Every year, there’s the same routine: book an appointment, get the tires changed, figure out where to store the other set and then remember to do it all again a few months later. It can feel like a lot of effort, especially in Vancouver, where we can go through much of the winter season without seeing much snow at all.

That naturally raises the question: are winter tires really worth it here?

Winter tires generally cost more because you need a separate set of tires, have to change them twice a year and may need somewhere to store the tires you are not using. Depending on the size, brand and vehicle, winter tires can cost anywhere from about $100 to $400 or more per tire. They can also wear more quickly and perform less effectively when driven in warm weather.

Winter tires may also generate more road noise and slightly increase fuel consumption compared with all-season tires because their softer compounds and more aggressive tread can increase rolling resistance.

For many Vancouver drivers, however, the decision comes down to where and when they drive.

What are the disadvantages of winter tires (or snow tires)?

The biggest disadvantages of dedicated winter tires include:

Buying an additional set of tires
Paying for seasonal tire changes
Finding somewhere to store your unused tires
Faster wear if winter tires are driven in warm weather
Potentially higher road noise and fuel consumption
Having to remember when to install and remove them

Winter tires use rubber compounds designed to remain flexible in cold temperatures. Transport Canada says that below 7 C, summer tires and all-season tires begin losing elasticity, while winter tires remain flexible and maintain better grip. Transport Canada.

That advantage becomes less useful as temperatures rise.

For someone who drives primarily around Vancouver, this means dedicated winter tires can spend much of the season operating in cool rain rather than snow and ice. Vancouver’s winters are relatively mild, but temperatures still frequently fall below the 7 C threshold at which winter tires begin to offer a traction advantage over conventional all-season tires. That makes tire performance in cold weather relevant even when the roads are clear.

Do I really need winter tires in Vancouver?

That depends largely on how you use your vehicle.

ICBC says good-quality M+S tires may be suitable for drivers who encounter winter conditions only occasionally. These are commonly described as all season mud and snow tires because of the M+S designation. However, ICBC recommends four matched mountain/snowflake tires for drivers who regularly encounter snow, ice or slush.

Dedicated winter tires may therefore make sense if you regularly drive to Whistler, travel through mountain passes or the B.C. Interior, frequently drive in below-freezing temperatures, or need to be on the road even when Vancouver gets snow and ice. They can be particularly useful on snow covered roads and in other slippery winter conditions, where the right tires can help a vehicle maintain sufficient traction.

If most of your driving is within Metro Vancouver and you can avoid driving during the relatively small number of significant snow events, the calculation may be different.

Another factor is longevity. With proper maintenance, storage and seasonal use, a set of winter tires can commonly last around four to six seasons, although actual life depends on mileage, driving habits and road conditions.

Are winter tires legal requirements in British Columbia?

Winter tires are not required on every road in Vancouver or throughout B.C.

However, they are required on many designated B.C. highways during the winter. This includes the Sea to Sky Highway and most highways in the Interior and North. Requirements generally run from Oct. 1 to March 31, although some routes require winter tires until April 30.

Under B.C. regulations, a qualifying winter tire must display either the M+S designation or the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol and have at least 3.5 mm of tread depth.

That means you do not necessarily need dedicated snow tires simply to meet B.C.’s legal winter-tire requirement.

Drivers heading outside Vancouver should also check road and weather conditions before leaving. King Insurance has more winter driving safety tips for B.C. drivers.

What about all-weather tires?

All-weather tires can be an attractive compromise for Vancouver drivers.

Unlike conventional all-season tires, many all-weather tires carry the mountain/snowflake symbol and are designed for year-round use. That can eliminate the need to maintain, store and switch between two sets of tires.

However, a compromise works both ways. A dedicated winter tire is designed specifically for cold, snowy and icy conditions and may provide better winter performance when conditions become severe.

For a driver who frequently heads into the mountains or encounters extreme winter conditions, dedicated winter tires may therefore still be preferable.

For someone who mostly drives around Vancouver but occasionally needs to use designated winter-tire routes, qualifying all-weather tires may be worth considering.

Can you leave winter tires on all year?

You can drive on non-studded winter tires during warmer months, but that does not mean it’s a good idea.

The softer rubber compounds and tread designs that help winter tires grip and get better traction on cold surfaces are not optimized for hot pavement. Keeping them on through summer can increase wear and means you may use up an expensive set of winter tires much faster than necessary.

If you choose dedicated winter tires, plan on switching back to an appropriate warmer-weather tire once temperatures are consistently above the range where winter tires provide their main advantage.

Studded tires are different. B.C. restricts the use of tire studs to the period between Oct. 1 and April 30, subject to the province’s requirements.

How should you store winter tires?

Proper storage can help extend the usable life of winter tires. Keep tires in a cool, dry, dark location away from direct sunlight, heat sources and electric motors. Electric motors can produce ozone, which can deteriorate tire rubber.

Unmounted tires should generally be stored upright. Tires mounted on wheels can be stacked horizontally. ICBC also recommends reducing the pressure of mounted tires to about 15 psi while they are in storage and reinflating them to the correct pressure before reinstalling them.

Do you need four winter tires?

Yes, if you decide to use dedicated winter tires, you should generally install four.

Transport Canada recommends installing winter tires in sets of four to help maintain vehicle control and stability. Mixing tires with different tread patterns, construction or sizes can make a vehicle less stable.

ICBC similarly recommends four matched mountain/snowflake tires for drivers who regularly encounter severe winter conditions.

Putting winter tires only on the drive wheels may save money initially, but it can create uneven levels of traction between the front and rear of the vehicle.

Can winter tires lower your insurance premium?

Some Canadian insurers may offer discounts to drivers who install winter tires. However, winter-tire discounts vary by insurer and province, and ICBC does not advertise a specific winter-tire discount as part of its standard Autoplan discounts.

B.C. drivers should therefore check with their insurer or broker rather than assuming that installing winter tires will automatically reduce their premium.

So, are winter tires worth the cost?

If you regularly travel outside the Lower Mainland, ski throughout the winter or need to drive regardless of snow and ice, the additional traction of dedicated winter tires can make the extra cost and seasonal tire changes worthwhile.

If most of your driving is around Vancouver, an appropriate set of all-weather tires may offer a more convenient year-round alternative.

Whatever tires you choose, make sure they are suitable for the roads and conditions you expect to encounter and meet B.C.’s requirements when travelling on designated winter-tire routes.

King Insurance can help B.C. drivers review their ICBC Autoplan insurance and understand their available coverage before winter driving season.

About King Insurance

Located at the northwest corner of Marine Drive and Main Street, King Insurance proudly serves the South Vancouver communities of Marpole, Sunset, Oakridge, Victoria-Fraserview and nearby areas such as Marine Gateway and Marine Landing, as well as clients across Richmond and the Lower Mainland.

King Insurance can also help B.C. drivers review and renew their ICBC Autoplan insurance and understand their available coverage options.

Ka Hing Cheung is proud to work in Canada’s insurance industry, helping people and businesses manage risk and protect what matters most. Ka Hing is committed to ongoing learning and helping customers understand their available coverage options clearly.