Winter tires: Special report
Everything you wanted to know about winter tires but were too afraid to ask. Well, almost everything...
Like it or not, it’s time to think about snow tires and to ask yourself the existential questions that always come with this sad reality.
Q: Do I really need winter tires?
A: YES! And not only that, but it’s the law. “Under the Highway Safety Code, all taxis and passenger vehicles registered in Quebec must be equipped with tires specifically designed for winter driving from December 15 to March 15. This also applies to passenger vehicles for rent in Quebec.” (For more information)
And even if it wasn’t required by law, it is definitively and scientifically proven that snow tires in winter are far safer than summer or all-season tires.
Q: Are my winter tires still good?
A: If they are, you are truly blessed. If you’re unsure, contact a tire retailer for a professional opinion. If your tires from last winter are no longer safe, go to the next question...
Q: Oh my goodness, there are dozens of brands! I’m confused... What should I do?
We put together a list of twenty or so of the most popular snow tires as well as the new arrivals that just might interest drivers. This list is neither exhaustive nor extremely detailed, but it should help you make a decision.
There are numerous features to consider when buying a winter tire. Its rubber should be flexible, even in very low temperatures. That’s why high-end tire manufacturers add products like silica to their tires.
Tread is also very important. The more aggressive the design, the more traction it will have. On the other hand, it will be less silent. That said, superior quality tires offer excellent traction and a quiet ride.
Many tires are equipped with a centreline section, which makes them more responsive on corners while increasing the vehicle’s lateral stability.
Also verify the tread shoulder, where the tread meets the sidewall. The more square the tread shoulder , the better the traction in heavy snow. A more rounded shoulder favours better handling. Sport tires generally have a more rounded tread shoulder.
To avoid hydroplaning in slush, water and snow, tire tread features blocks and grooves at very precise angles to maximize evacuation.
Winter and summer tires both have to compromise, but over time, manufacturers have reduced these compromises to the bare minimum. However, certain nuances remain. The key is versatility!
Since this review is appearing at the beginning of the fall, we weren’t able to try out all the tires listed below. Thus, this is not an assessment.
BF Goodrich Winter Slalom KSI
Its winter compound contains micro-pores to improve traction on ice and snow.
Designed for people looking for an economical and versatile tire.
For cars, light trucks and SUVs.
Can they be studded? No.
Offered in 35 sizes, from 15 to 17 inches.
Continental ExtremeWinterContact
Voids and grip edges optimize a maximum grip surface, even in very cold weather.
Designed for people looking for a high-end snow and ice tire.
For cars, light trucks and SUVs.
Can they be studded? No.
Offered in 32 sizes, from 14 to 17 inches.
Continental ContiWinter Contact TS810S
This is a tire aimed at luxury cars. Its tread is designed to resemble a summer tire while remaining efficient in the snow.
Designed for people who have luxury cars or sporty driving habits that require H- and V-rated tires.
For cars.
Can they be studded? No.
Offered in 24 sizes, from 15 to 19 inches.
Dunlop Graspic DS-3
Thanks to its mixture of silica-based fibreglass, this winter tire remains flexible in low temperatures and very resistant, while encouraging even tread wear.
Designed for people looking for a good grip on the ice and a comfortable tire.
For cars.
Can they be studded? No.
Offered in 24 sizes, from 14 to 19 inches.
Dunlop Winter Maxx (new)
This tire has an asymmetrical tread that ensures excellent handling in snow, rain or cold temperatures.
Designed for people looking for a high-end snow and ice tire.
For cars, light trucks and SUVs.
Can they be studded? No.
Offered in 44 sizes, from 14 to 19 inches.
General Tire Altimax Arctic
The silica and natural rubber tread compound offers good flexibility in cold weather and excellent traction on wet surfaces. Furthermore, the directional tread pattern ensures a high level of resistance to aquaplaning.
Designed for people seeking an economical tire that performs very well in snow.
For cars, light trucks and SUVs.
Can they be studded? Yes.
Offered in 57 sizes, from 13 to 17 inches.
Gislaved Nordfrost 100 (new)
Tested in the worst Nordic conditions, the Gislaved Norfrost 100 is high-performance on snow and ice while providing a quiet ride.
Designed for people seeking a high-end tire on snowy and icy roads.
For cars and SUVs.
Can they be studded? Yes.
Offered in 73 sizes, from 14 to 19 inches.
Goodyear Ultra Grip Winter (new)
While its components favour even tread wear, this tire’s wide grooves help evacuate wet snow. This tire is also very efficient in emergency braking situations in the snow.
Designed for people seeking an economical tire that performs in the snow.
For cars and SUVs.
Can they be studded? Yes.
Offered in 35 sizes, from 14 to 19 inches.
Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT
This unidirectional tire has two- and three-dimensional sipes that grip the snow efficiently.
Designed for people seeking a high-end snow and ice tire.
For cars, light trucks and SUVs.
Can they be studded? Yes (LT and SUV sizes only).
Offered in 54 sizes, from 16 to 20 inches.
Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 (new)
Thanks to its rather sporty unidirectional pattern, this tire meets the standards of Porsche SE.
Designed for people that keep their very high performance car even in winter.
For cars, light trucks and SUVs.
Can they be studded? no.
Offered in 11 sizes, from 17 to 20 inches.
Michelin X-Ice Xi3 (new)
Did someone say micropumps? This new tire features small cavities that act like little pumps to evacuate water using centrifugal force.
Designed for people seeking a high-end tire that’s efficient on ice and durable.
For tires, light trucks and SUVs.
Can they be studded? No.
Offered in 57 sizes, from 14 to 19 inches.
Pirelli Winter Sottozero
Pirelli’s Sottozero is a family of sport tires that favour performance. If the tag says 210, that means that the tire has a speed rating of 210 km/hr. A 240 on the tag means that its speed rating is 240 km/hr... You get the picture.
Designed for people with sporty driving habits.
For (performance) cars.
Can they be studded? No.
Offered in 14 sizes, from 16 to 18 inches (210).
Offered in 24 sizes, from 17 to 20 inches (240).
Pirelli Winter Carving Edge
Its directional pattern maximizes traction and braking in extreme conditions. Certain sizes are reserved only for high-performance sports cars.
Designed for people seeking a performance tire in all conditions – especially in snow – and a precise ride.
For cars and SUVs.
Can they be studded? Yes.
Offered in 48 sizes, from 14 to 20 inches.
Pirelli Winter Icecontrol
Featuring optimal elasticity at low temperature thanks to silica and polymer compounds, this tire delivers good grip on icy, snowy and dry surfaces.
Designed for people seeking a high-end tire that remains poised in snow and ice.
For cars.
Can they be studded? No.
Offered in 21 sizes, from 15 to 18 inches.
Pirelli Scorpion Winter
This tire’s unidirectional tread includes two or four deep grooves to better expel water. Its rubber is made from innovative material that reduces its weight.
Designed for people who favour sport driving.
For cars and SUVs.
Can they be studded? No.
Offered in 41 sizes, from 16 to 21 inches.
Toyo Observe GSi-5
A tire made of coconut? Well, not entirely, but ground coconut shells were in fact integrated in the tread for better traction on icy surfaces.
Designed for people who want a comfortable tire in normal conditions that’s durable and at ease on snow and ice.
For cars and SUVs.
Can they be studded? No.
Offered in more than 100 sizes, from 13 to 20 inches.
Toyo Observe Garit KX
Thanks to its five deep grooves that help prevent skidding and improve water and snow evacuation, this unidirectional tire proves resistant to the cold.
Designed for people whose vehicles are equipped with HR-rated tires or whose driving habits tend toward the sporty.
For cars.
Can they be studded? No.
Offered in 22 sizes, 16 to 19 inches.
Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow II
This tire is well-known and has been around for years, and its tread elements have been carefully laid out to reduce noise.
Designed for people seeking an economical tire.
For cars, light trucks and SUVs.
Can they be studded? Yes.
Offered in 25 sizes, from 14 to 17 inches.
Yokohama Ice Guard IG52c (new)
With its centre rib and grooves that drain very effectively, this tire always remains in contact with the road – wet, dry or icy.
Designed for people seeking a high-end tire for snowy and icy surfaces.
For cars.
Can they be studded? No.
Offered in 42 sizes, from 14 to 18 inches.
Yokohama Ice Guard IG51V (new)
A performance winter tire whose lightning bolt-shaped grooves improve grip and maximize drainage and snow, slush and water expulsion.
Designed for people seeking a high-end tire for their SUV or pick-up.
For light trucks and SUVs.
Can they be studded? no.
Offered in 34 sizes, from 16 to 20 inches.
We hope that our research will guide you somewhat in choosing the best winter tire for your vehicle. With dozens of brands and models out there, the help of a tire expert could be essential.
We would like to thank Unipneu, Québec’s largest network of tire retailers (www.unipneu.com) and, specifically Mr. Yves Fredette of Fredette pneus et mécanique located at 6661, Sherbrooke Street East (corner Langelier) in Montréal (www.unipneu-fredette.com)