Temperatures in Toronto are dipping, which means motorists have begun flocking to their local auto shops to get winter tires installed.
But are they still necessary for drivers who only commute within city limits?
When temperatures fall below 7 degrees Celsius, all-season and summer tires begin to lose elasticity, which leads to less traction. Toronto has already started cooling down, with temperatures dropping to 5 degrees C this week.
According to Transport Canada, winter tires keep their elasticity and grip at much lower temperatures, making them more suitable for icy and snowy road conditions.
Jason Vrooman, the service manager with McDermott Motors on Shuter Street in Cabbagetown, has mixed views on the topic as motorists in the city now have a variety of options when selecting seasonal tires.
He explained most newer vehicles automatically come with all-season tires, which work well for light snowfalls and provide some grip on warmer winter days. Toronto drivers will want to consider heavier duty tires to prepare for those stormier times in January — but they don’t necessarily need to be winter-specific, he said.
“There are these newer ‘all-weather’ tires, and they’re a lot better in the winter than your standard all-season tire,” Vrooman told TorontoToday. “If you’re mostly driving in the city, you might be okay with the all-weather versus getting a dedicated set of winter [tires]. You can leave them on in the spring and fall too.”
“But if you’re planning on heading out to snow country or travelling up north, then you should go with the winter tires for sure,” he added.
According to the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC), 79 per cent of Ontario drivers believe winter tires remain an important investment.
Seventy-four per cent of drivers in the province said they are using winter tires this year, up from 67 per cent in 2023, the report found. Eight per cent of Ontarians have installed winter tires for the first time this year.
Vrooman, who services 25 winter tire changeovers every day and books appointments two weeks out, was pleasantly surprised with these stats.
“I would have guessed it’d be much lower,” he said. “Seventy-four per cent is a great number for sure.”
While the cost to purchase and install winter tires varies from shop to shop, drivers can estimate how much they may need to spend using the Winter Tire Cost Calculator on TRAC’s website.
According to Canada Drives, a low-end snow tire can cost up to $100. Mid-range models will go between $100 and $200, while premium tires usually start at $200 and up. A variety of factors — like size, sales and demand — can impact the prices. Outfitting a car with a set of mid-range winter tires can run a motorist $800 or more.
Anne Marie Thomas, director of consumer and industry relations with the Insurance Bureau of Canada, argued Toronto drivers do need winter tires during the colder months.
Thomas cautioned that the number of insurance claims always goes up at this time of year and urged downtown residents to make their auto shop appointments right away.
“It’s a little extra measure of protection — and it’s worth it,” Thomas said. “I don’t exactly know what a set of snow tires cost, but I know it costs a lot less than having an increase in your insurance premium because you were involved in an accident.”
For drivers who need an extra incentive, most insurance companies offer up to a five per cent discount on premiums for motorists who have their winter tires installed, according to Thomas.
She said it’s always good practice to check in with your insurance provider and verify you have the proper collision coverage, “even in cases where the accident wasn’t your fault.”
CAA South Central Ontario, which provides roadside assistance across the GTA, said it’s crucial that motorists drive defensively and responsibly during the winter months. The federation offered several tips to keep in mind before hitting the road:
- Slow down and move over for emergency vehicles
- Never pass a snowplow
- Avoid using overdrive or cruise control
- Practice emergency braking to understand how your vehicle will react
- Check the weather forecast ahead of time
- Leave plenty of space between you and the vehicle ahead
- Stay on main roads
- Keep a phone charger in your car
