Do I Need Winter Tires? Who Benefits and What They Cost

Winter tires are not a must for every driver. Whether they make sense depends on how cold your winters get, how often roads are icy or snow-packed, and what your local rules say.

This guide sets out what tire makers, AAA and government agencies say, so you can judge for your own area. TireShopper does not test tires.

The temperature rule of thumb

Snow is only part of the story. Tire makers focus on temperature, because rubber changes with the cold.

• Transport Canada says that below 7°C, all-season and summer tires begin to lose elasticity, which means less traction. It says winter tires keep their grip at much lower temperatures.
• Michelin recommends installing winter tires when daily temperatures consistently fall below 45°F, and says waiting for the first snowfall can leave drivers unprepared for early frost and black ice. Michelin Canada gives the same idea in Celsius: switch when the average daily temperature consistently drops below 7°C, which it says typically happens in October or early November.
• Nokian Tyres says all-season tires are meant for 45°F (7°C) and above, and that even on dry roads they lose much of their grip below that point because the rubber hardens.
• Quebec's SAAQ says the rubber in summer and all-season tires hardens below 7°C, and that winter tire rubber is designed to stay flexible at temperatures as low as -40°C.
• AAA says that if average temperatures where you live drop below 45°F, it would be wise to invest in winter tires. It adds that whether you need them also depends on how comfortable you are driving in cold weather.

45°F is about 7°C. These are guidelines from the makers, not a legal line, and your own winters decide how often you are below it.

Who tends to benefit

Pulling those sources together, winter tires are aimed at drivers who:

• Live where temperatures regularly near freezing, or where heavy snow or ice is common. Michelin points to these areas.
• Drive on roads that stay icy or snow-packed, not just roads that see an occasional dusting.
• Live in Quebec, where the law requires them, or drive signed routes in British Columbia.

Michelin Canada lists shorter braking distances on icy or snowy roads, better handling in slush and freezing rain, and traction on cold, dry pavement among the benefits of winter tires.

Michelin says all-season tires are built for everyday driving and offer acceptable snow traction where winters are mild. If your winters are mild and you can stay home when it snows, all-season tires may be enough. A local tire professional can tell you what drivers near you choose.

What about all-wheel drive?

AAA says ABS and traction control help but do not replace winter tires, because tires are the only part of the car that delivers traction to the road. A second AAA article cites Consumer Reports road testing that found winter tires can outperform all-wheel drive alone in some situations.

All-season, all-weather and winter in brief

We cover this in detail in our guide to all-season, all-weather and winter tires. The short version, following Michelin's definitions:

• All-season tires balance dry and wet grip and offer acceptable snow traction in mild winters. The M+S marking on them reflects tread design, not a certified test.
• All-weather tires carry the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol (3PMSF), which requires passing a standardized traction test on medium-packed snow. Michelin says their compound stays more pliable in the cold than all-season rubber.
• Winter tires are built for traction on ice, snow and slush in severe cold. Michelin says they are not intended for year-round use.

Transport Canada's winter tire page tells shoppers to look for the peaked mountain with snowflake symbol. Transport Canada also ran a consultation from December 2024 to February 2025 on changing the winter tire rules. The consultation page says the logo appears on some tires that do not meet the winter tire test criteria, and it does not say what was decided. Check Transport Canada's site for the current rules.

Michelin describes winter tires, not all-weather tires, as the type built for ice, snow and slush in severe cold. Ask a tire professional which one suits your area.

Fit a full set

Michelin says winter tires are made to function as a whole set. Fitting them on one axle creates a front-to-rear traction imbalance. Transport Canada says to install them in sets of four, with the same type, size, speed rating and load index on all four wheels. AAA's cost article also says you need four.

Our guide to replacing two tires or four covers the general rules.

What winter tires cost

Prices vary by size, brand and where you live. AAA publishes ranges for the US. They are estimates, so treat them as a starting point and get quotes.

• A set of four, tires only. AAA lists roughly $400 to $800 for a compact car, $600 to $1,200 for a small SUV or crossover, and $800 to $1,500 or more for a large SUV or truck.
• Mounting and balancing. AAA says roughly $60 to $300 per set if you are not buying and installing in the same place.
• A seasonal swap, if the tires are on their own wheels. AAA says about $60 to $80 per set.
• A second set of wheels. AAA says a basic set of steel wheels starts around $90 each, and a set of four can cost $400 or more.
• Storage. AAA says tire shops and dealerships often charge roughly $50 to $150 per season.

AAA also says to expect three to five winters from a set.

The Tire and Rubber Association of Canada has a cost calculator that compares a single set of tires with a second set, with or without extra wheels. It counts installation, seasonal changeover and seasonal storage, and it models wear through the tire life you enter. Use it with your own distances and quotes to see what the extra set really adds.

One more cost point: Michelin Canada says winter tires wear faster in warm weather, so it advises switching back once temperatures rise above 7°C. Our guide to when to put on winter tires covers timing. Rules can also settle the question. See winter tire laws in Canada and the US.

If you are in Ontario, the Ontario government says you could also get a discount on your auto insurance if you fit winter tires, and suggests asking your insurer. The laws guide explains the rule.

Check your size before you shop

Winter tires come in the same size format as any other tire. Read the size from your sidewall or the placard on the driver's door frame. Our guide to reading a tire sidewall shows where. If you are thinking of a different size for winter, read winter tire sizes: same size or minus sizing first.

Tread matters too. Transport Canada says not to use tires with less than 4 mm of tread, and that tires worn close to 4 mm (5/32 inch) should not be used on snow-covered roads. Our guide to when to replace tires shows how to measure.

Where to look

These links go to Amazon search results, not to a particular product. You choose what to open and compare:

• Winter tire search (Amazon search, opens in a new tab) (filter by your tire size from the sidewall or placard)
• Tread depth gauges (Amazon search, opens in a new tab)