Winter vs All-Weather Tires: Which Do You Need?
If you're shopping for tires this fall in Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo or Guelph, you'll see three names that sound almost alike: all-season, all-weather and winter. They aren't the same thing, and picking the wrong one can mean longer stops on an icy morning. Here's what sets them apart, and how to decide between all-weather tires and a dedicated set of winter tires.
First, all-season is not all-weather
The Government of Ontario says all-season tires are not the same as winter tires and can start to lose grip at 7°C. Michelin Canada adds that all-season tires often carry an M+S (mud and snow) marking, but that marking is not a winter certification.
All-weather tires are a different product. Michelin describes them as tires that carry the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, so they have been tested and qualified for severe snow traction, while using a compound that is durable enough to stay on the car in warmer months too.
What winter tires do differently
Winter tires also carry the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol. Transport Canada explains that tires with this symbol meet specific snow traction performance requirements and are designed for severe snow conditions. It also notes that below 7°C, all-season and summer tires begin to lose elasticity, while winter tires keep their elasticity and grip at much lower temperatures.
Michelin says winter tires are built for snow, slush, black ice and freezing rain, and some also carry an Ice Grip symbol, a newer marking for added ice braking performance. The Government of Ontario says winter tires improve traction and control in frost, snow and icy conditions, and can shorten braking distances by as much as 25%.
All-weather vs winter tires at a glance
All-weather tires: carry the 3PMSF symbol and are designed to be driven all year, so there's no seasonal swap.
Winter tires: carry the 3PMSF symbol and are designed specifically for winter conditions. They come off in the spring and go back on in the fall.
All-season tires: don't carry the 3PMSF symbol and aren't winter tires, even if they're marked M+S.
Which is right for drivers in Waterloo Region and Guelph?
Michelin Canada's regional advice is clear about our part of the country. For Ontario, with its cold winters, significant snowfall and ice, it recommends dedicated winter tires plus a summer or all-season set as the approach for safety and longevity. It points to all-weather tires as a practical year-round choice in places with mild winters, like coastal British Columbia.
Two sets can also make sense for your budget. Michelin notes that running winter tires and a summer or all-season set splits your mileage between them, which extends the life of both sets.
Your own driving matters too. If you commute on winter mornings, drive rural roads, or can't stay home when it snows, a dedicated winter set is the safer bet. If you're not sure which fits, ask us when you book and we'll walk you through the options for your vehicle.
Whichever you choose, set them up right
Transport Canada recommends installing winter tires in sets of four, with the same type, size, speed rating and load index on all four wheels, and the Government of Ontario says never to mix different types of tires on one vehicle. Transport Canada also advises against using tires worn close to 4 mm (5/32") of tread on snow-covered roads. If you're counting on the Ontario winter tire insurance discount, the province says to ask your insurance provider, so check whether your tires qualify before you buy.
Get ready for winter at SVS Tires & Wheels
Browse our winter tires or use the Find Tires by Size search. On a tighter budget? Take a look at our new economy tires. We never sell used tires. Going with a dedicated winter set? Mounting it on its own wheels makes every changeover simpler, so ask about a wheel and tire package.
When the temperature drops, book a seasonal tire swap and we'll put your winter tires on. Every install is balanced on Road Force balancing equipment, and we service TPMS sensors as part of every tire installation. Your off-season set can stay with us too, with seasonal tire storage for $80 per season.
Visit SVS Tires & Wheels at Units 7-8, 990 Bishop St N, Cambridge, ON N3H 4V7. We're open Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Call 519-267-4200 or book online.
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