Buying off-road and specialty tires is a big investment in both
safety and performance. There seems to be a little confusion over snow
tires, winter tires and snow flake symbols. Let me shed some light on
this...
M+S= Mud and Snow Tires
Some Mud and Snow Tires also have the Snow Flake Mountain Symbol but are "
Winter Use Only"
tires. Tires that don't have the Snow Flake Mountain Symbol may be
designed and built for Mud and Snow but may also be excellent winter
tires, but are not rated as such. The manufacturer has decided not to
use or participate in the use of symbol for different reasons... the
tires can be used all year round, Canada wasn't their intended market,
have their own rating system, don't produce a "
Winter Use Only" tire or don't want be in that market.
AT = All Terrain
Some All Terrain Tires may also have the Snow Flake Mountain Symbol and are "
Winter Use Only"or are rated as "
Severe Weather"
tires. Tires that don't have the Snow Flake Mountain Symbol may be
designed and built for All Terrain but may also be acceptable for winter
use, but may not be "
Winter Use Only".
A good example of this would be the "
Pro Comp Radial All Terrain" with a severe weather rating. The
Pro Comp Radial All Terrain is available through your National 4WD Centres across Canada.
AS = All Season
These will
not be rated as a "Winter Use Only" they are "
All Season" tires. These are usually a general purpose tire. It means they are
not rated as a "
Winter Use Only" or are not rated as a snow tire or severe weather tire. Basically they are general purpose tires.
Snow Flake Mountain Symbol = Tires rated by
Rubber Association of Canada "RAC" for
"Winter Use".
Quote from their
website
"
The following list provides the model names of RAC Member tire brands only tires that are dedicated and marketed for winter use only. Many
tires can be suitable for winter driving. Some of which may not be on
this list. This list shows RAC member brands of tires with the mountain
snowflake symbol that are marketed for "winter use only".
These
tires are a multi-siped soft rubber compound tire designed to remain
very flexible at cold temperatures. These tires perform well for their
intended purpose. This rating symbol may also be on "Mud and
Snow" tires and "All Terrain" tires which means you must remove the
tires once winter is over. With warmer weather and dry roads the softer
rubber compounds will wear more rapidly.
Before investing in tires with "
Snow Flake Mountain Symbol", consult with the tire manufacturer or reseller such as
National 4WD Centres
on the specifications of the tires you are considering purchasing. Also
check out The Rubber Association of Canada's website for more
clarification on the symbol.
http://www.rubberassociation.ca/rubberroom/Winter_Driving.html
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Currently Quebec is the only province in Canada that mandates the use of "
Winter Use Only" tires, "
Severe Weather" tires and the use of studs between
December 15 and March 15. Other marked or coded tires may also be used.
Here is an excerpt from
Transport Quebec's website...
"What is the definition of winter tires?
The regulation
defines tires specifically designed for winter driving as those that
meet one of the following criteria prior to December 15, 2014:
- Tires
on which one of the following inscriptions appear: Alaska, Arctic, A/T
or AT, AT/S, AT-S , Blizzard, Cresta, Ice, INSA T1, INSA T2, INSA TT770,
LT, Nordic, Snow (but not mud and snow), Stud, Studdable, Studded,
Studless, TS, Ultra grip , Ultratraction or Winter, or the icon
representing a mountain with a superimposed snowflake.
Or
- Tires
that are equipped with studs and used in accordance with the Regulation
respecting the use of non-skid devices on the tires of certain road
vehicles.
Starting on December 15, 2014, tires will
have to bear the icon or be equipped with studs and be used in
accordance with the Regulation respecting the use of non-skid devices on
the tires of certain road vehicles."
"What happens if a tire bears both the “LT” and “M+S” inscriptions?
A tire marked “LT” is considered to be winter driving (until 2014)."
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Winter Wheels...
Need
rims for your winter tires? Call National 4WD today. We can put a
winter tire and wheel package together for you... 1-800-575-7500
Drive Safe!
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