Everything You Need To Know About Winter Tires In Kelowna British Columbia

Purchasing winter tires  is something that will vary from region to region, and in Canada, it varies depending on the province. This makes it extremely important to know what you are doing when you are buying these tires in British Columbia. By law, you must obey any warnings put forth that require winter tires or chains, making it even more important to obtain proper tires.

What Are The Best Tires?

The best type of tires to install are going to be rated for use on mountains and have snowflakes. These, when combined with chains, should be enough for every place within the province. It is rather easy to identify tires that fall within these classifications, ensuring that you are well protected and following the law.

The two markings that you will want to look for are either a M+S which stands for mud and snow or a mountain with three peaks and a single snowflake, indicating that the tires are rated for those conditions. Tires may be marked with one or both, but you need at least one of these sets of symbols.

The tread on your tires must be at least 3.5mm and you must ensure that the tires maintain this tread as well. This is why it is important to change your tires at the beginning of the season. A quick check with your local mechanic will tell you if you tread is high enough, or you can measure it yourself from one of the grooves.

Winter Tires Should Be On October 1 to March 31

The requirements for tires are subject to enforcement from the first of October until the last day of March. This means that any tires you put on your vehicle will need to maintain their tread and safety status for six months out of the year.

While you legally need two tires that match, you should really aim for four. This will give you better mobility and allow you to worry less about the road.

There are some tires known as all season tires, that may work for your needs, but they must be labeled with the M+S symbol. These will generally have less effective performance during winter conditions than true winter tires. These must also follow the rules for tread, and may need to be changed more often. We recommend a second inspection in December if you are using these tires.

You may need to prove the condition of your car and the use of your tires if you get into an accident. This is for insurance purposes, and not having these tires will often put you at fault.

You should check your tread, air pressure, and chains over at least once a month. This will ensure that they are all in working order and that you do not end up with a nasty fine.

We also advise you that all travel on highways should be done with winter tires. The laws can be complicated, with people living in areas with less harsh winters not requiring the tires. However, it may still be a good idea to use them, as winter storms can hit anywhere in BC without warning.

We are pleased to announce we have just become a representative for  GRIP TIRE