What Are The Best Winter Tires For Drivers In Ontario’s Snow Belt?
In today’s post, the Eccles Auto team explains how to choose the best winter tires for safe driving through Ontario’s snow belt.
Read on to learn what safety features all the best winter tires have in common, or call (905)-627-3355 to speak directly with a winter tire expert in Dundas, ON.
Do I Need Winter Tires To Stay Safe In The Snow?
Ultimately, only you can decide whether snow tires are a necessity, but the majority of Canadians won’t leave home in winter without them!
According to the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC) 2021 Canadian Consumer Winter Tire Study, more than three-quarters (76%) of Canadian motorists now use winter tires to stay safe in the snow.
Many of these drivers live outside of the snow belt region, and yet nearly 8 in 10 (79%) believe that “driving a vehicle equipped with winter tires has saved them from being involved in a potentially hazardous driving situation.”
What’s more, beyond greatly increasing your vehicle’s safety and performance, investing in winter tires can also lower your insurance costs. Since 2016, the Ontario government has mandated that all insurers must offer a discount for the use of winter tires, and Eccles Auto can help you save.
What Are The Best Winter Tires For Driving In Ontario’s Snow Belt?
The “snow belt” is the region near the Great Lakes in North America, where lake-effect snowfall creates hazardous driving conditions all winter long. To stay safe in these conditions, you’ll need to invest in winter-ready tires.
Because every driver is different, there is no universal “best” pick, but our winter tire catalog includes all the best options, and our local tire experts can help you find the right fit for your unique driving needs and budget.
All of the best winter tire picks will have the following performance features in common:
- 3PMSF symbol—The 3-Peak-Mountain-Snowflake (3PMSF) Symbol can be found on the sidewall of all the best winter tires. This symbol can only be earned by passing the ASTM F-1805-2006 snow traction test, and it should not be confused with the Mud and Snow (M+S) designation, which is not sufficient for safe driving in the snow belt.
- Unidirectional treads—Unidirectional treads help evacuate water, slush, snow and ice to improve traction and road contact in the snow. These are easy to spot with the naked eye, as they typically run in conspicuous V-shaped patterns.
- Winter-ready rubber compounds—All of the best winter tires use special rubber compounds that help the tire stay soft, pliable, and grippy, even in extreme cold, whereas all-season tire compounds get stiff and unresponsive when temperatures drop below 7 degree celsius.
- High-volume siping—Sipes are small slits in the winter tire treads that help to disperse snow and slush, thereby reducing required braking distances, improving acceleration from the stop position, and enhancing grip on ice and snow.
- Studs (optional)—Studded tires are legal in Northern Ontario between September 1 and May 31. While you are not allowed to drive on studded tires in Dundas, ON, it may be worth your while to invest in studdable tires before you trek up north. If that’s the case, we can help you find them.
Browse All The Best Winter Tires Under One Roof: Call Eccles Auto
Ready to start browsing all the best winter tires in Dundas, ON? Get in touch with our team by calling (905)-627-3355 or start shopping now with our Online Tire Finder.