What is a Legal Winter Tire in B.C.? A legal winter tire (on a standard passenger vehicle or a four-wheel/all-wheel vehicle) MUST have at least 3.5 mm of tread depth. The letters “M” and “S”, the minimum legal requirement (mud + snow/all season tires)
Also to know is, are mud and snow tires good for winter?
Winter tires are specifically designed to provide traction in deeper snow and in sub-zero temperatures. Mud and snow tires will perform just fine in lighter snow but, if you regularly drive in snowy conditions at temperatures lower than 7°C, you’re better off with a set of good winter tires.
Secondly, where in BC are snow tires mandatory? Currently, B.C. drivers are required to have winter tires if they’re travelling on highways throughout the province, including the Sea to Sky, and Highway 1 starting near Hope and travelling east. Drivers who don’t have winter tires may be turned away or fined.
Keeping this in consideration, are mud and snow tires OK in BC?
1, drivers using the majority of B.C.’s highways will be required to have winter tires on their vehicles. Approved tires carry either the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol or the M+S (mud and snow) symbol and must have at least 3.5 millimetres of tread.
Can you drive in BC without winter tires?
Drivers without winter tires can face a fine of $109 or have their travel plans disrupted. People driving to or through British Columbia should now have winter tires on their vehicle — it’s the law. The province requires passenger vehicles be equipped with winter tires between Oct. 1 and Apr.
17 Related Question Answers Found
Can I drive with all season tires in winter in BC?
All season tires have the M + S symbol, meaning mud and snow, and in B.C. they are considered the minimum acceptable winter tire. However, you could be turned away on some roads where only tires bearing the three peak snow flake symbol and the M + S are allowed.
Do mud tires work good in snow?
The short answer: mud tires are actually even less capable in snow than a lot of all-terrain tires. When driving on mud tires in snow, compacted snow and ice will eventually fill in the wide channels between the tread blocks and the tread channels that otherwise give mud tires their phenomenal performance off-road.
Are mud and snow tires considered traction tires?
Traction tires are all marked as either all-season, mud and snow (“M&S”), or with the Mountain/Snowflake designation. You can use these tires year-round, or swap them with your summer tires when the seasons change. Learn more about driving in dangerous weather conditions here.
Can I drive with all season tires in winter?
All-season tires work fine in the winter. All-season tires are great for mild weather changes, but anyone who experiences colder winters and snow can get better performance with winter tires. Plus, their deep tread makes driving in the snow and slush and snow safer.
Do all terrain tires count as snow tires?
For example: All-terrain tires available for trucks and SUVs are considered “all-season” tires. A winter tire is a dedicated tire meant to run at temperatures 45 degrees Fahrenheit and lower. It has a specific tread compound designed to perform in cold temperatures on snow, ice, in rain, and also on dry pavement.
When should you put winter tires on in BC?
Winter tires or chains are required on most routes in British Columbia from October 1 to April 30. For select highways not located through mountain passes and/or high snowfall areas, tire and chain requirements end March 31.
What are the best mud and snow tires?
Best Value: BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain T/A KM2 These are great mud tires that perform well in snow and mud. They look just as aggressive as they are. They’re good, all-around tires that are capable of slinging mud and snow when you need it.
How can you tell if tires are mud or snow?
A: Tires with the Mud and Snow symbol (M+S) on the sidewall, with a minimum 3.5 mm tread depth. Q: What winter tire provides the best performance in cold, snow and ice? A: Tires with the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol on the sidewall provide the best traction in winter conditions.
Are M S tires OK in BC?
Approved winter tires in B.C. either have the M+S (mud and snow) or three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol. Winter tires must also have at least 3.5 millimetres of tread.
Are M&S tires OK for winter?
“Mud and Snow” (either marked as M+S, M.S or M&S) has been used to indicate winter tires for many years. M+S remains a permitted marking but while M+S tires have better snow traction than regular tires, they do not necessarily pass the legal snow grip threshold.
Can I use studded tires in BC?
Studded Tires These tires may only be used on BC highways from October 1 to April 30 and the studs should not protrude more than 2 mm from the tread or traction surface of the tire. Use of studded tires outside of this period may result in a fine.
Can I drive to Whistler with all season tires?
Whistler Winter Driving: It is recommended that your car is equipped with proper snow/winter tires for the drive from Horseshoe Bay to Whistler. If you have all-season tires, please carry chains and know how to put them on. In case of heavy snowfall, a shovel and road salt are advisable.
What does M and S mean on tires?
All tires that pass certain winter tire traction tests can be marked with a symbol molded onto the side of the tire. One is the M+S (mud and snow) symbol, and the second is the mountain/snowflake symbol.
What roads in BC require winter tires?
1, winter tires or chains are required on most major highways in B.C. — including the Malahat — until April 30. The B.C. Ministry of Transportation is reminding drivers that not having them on designated highways can result in fines of $109.
Are winter tires mandatory on the Malahat?
Travellers who plan on driving on the Malahat and other mountain passes on Vancouver Island must outfit their vehicles with winter tires or mud and snow tires starting this week. 1, the province will require the tires on standard vehicles and chains or winter tires on heavier commercial trucks and buses until Apr. 30.
Are winter tires worth it?
Winter tires gain their advantage not only because they have superior tread patterns that are designed for traction on ice and snow, but because they employ softer rubber compounds to enhance grip. That means when it’s cold, whether it’s on dry pavement, snow, or slush, it’ll outperform an all-season.
Which provinces have mandatory winter tires?
What provinces have mandatory winter tires? Quebec. Under the Highway Safety Code, winter tires are mandatory from December 1 to March 15. British Columbia. Manitoba. Ontario. All other provinces and territories.