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- Introduction{2 mentions}{1 mention}{1 mention}
- All-Season or Snow Tires?
- Best for Harsh Winters{10 mentions}{1 mention}{2 mentions}{2 mentions}{4 mentions}{1 mention}
- Studded Snow Tires{2 mentions}{1 mention}
- Performance Winter Tires{1 mention}{1 mention}{1 mention}{3 mentions}
- Snow Tires for SUVs{1 mention}{1 mention}{1 mention}{1 mention}
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Winter tire laws
Quebec was the first Canadian province to require winter tires from December 15 to March 15 each year. Quebec drivers caught with all-season tires between those dates will face up to a $300 fine. The law does not apply to out-of-province drivers who drive into Quebec. Ninety percent of Quebec drivers already use winter tires, but the 10 percent who don't are involved in 38 percent of the province's winter crashes, a provincial task force on road safety found.
After the new law took effect, car crash deaths in Quebec fell nearly 10 percent for the first six months of 2009, compared to the same time period in 2008 -- and deaths were down 24 percent over the previous five-year average, according to Quebec's auto-insurance board, the Societe de l'Assurance Automobile du Quebec. The provincial road authority, Transports Quebec, has posted a FAQ on the winter-tire law.
Studded winter tires are legal in most states and Canadian provinces but not all. Tire-Information-World.com provides a fairly up-to-date list of laws in each state, and Canada's Automobile Protection Association maintains a similar list for the Canadian provinces. Check with your state road authority to be sure.
More research sources
TireRack.com has an excellent winter tire FAQ section, which includes information on whether or not you should consider snow tires. Sizing information is also provided.
Wheels.ca, an affiliate of the Toronto Star, provides a comprehensive winter tire guide, including how winter tires work, what to look for, etc.
The New York Times article "Tires May Say All Season, but Winter Takes Exception" outlines the difference between today's winter tires and the fast-wearing, blocky-treaded models of 20 years ago. Like TireRack.com's article, it explains why you should consider snow tires and which types to consider.
Find tire recalls and defect investigations at SaferCar.gov. As of this update, there were no recalls for any of the tires discussed in this report.
Special thanks to Henrik Nordström of Scandinavian Translation Service for research assistance.
Snow tire brands
Tire manufacturers' websites have detailed specification and sizing information, as well as dealer-locator tools:
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