Mandatory winter tires in Canada (Haines: 2013, to buy, vehicle)

[stiffnecked]

Not yet but it could be coming. Last year when I drove up in December the Canadian Customs Officer gave me a hard time about my tires. He didn't stop me but said the RCMP might. If they make this mandatory it could put a kink in some peoples winter travel plan.

In Yukon, police contemplate mandatory winter tires for motorists | Alaska Dispatch

This is the symbol they look for on the sidewall of the tires to see if they are winter rated.

[Glitch]

Interesting. They exclude all-season tires, but they did not mention chains. If you are passing through to the lower-48 and you have chains on, I wonder if they will allow that through.

That could put a real damper on driving to the lower-48 during the winter. Studded tires are not cheap.

[Alaskan Mutt]

I use Nokian WRG2 all weather tires year round on my Jeep. They have the winter tire symbol on the sidewall so I should be good to go.

[Dakster]

Sometimes I see 4WD AND Chains required signs down here in the L-48. Wonder if that would work for them in the Yukon.

[tidelines]

Driving through Canada in winter as much as I have, I can see why they urge this; many drivers just don't seem to have any sense about how to make it through the season safely. I keep studs on my vehicle in winter, and chains behind the seat. The little Suburu wagon has new (Aug) all-seasons and I hope there's no problem when I go from Fbx to Haines next month; sure don't want to have chains clunking up the wheel wells for a short trip like that nor do I want to purchase another set of tires just to make the short trip through.

[Dakster]

tidelines - you should be the guniea pig and buy the autosocks that don't chunk up the wheel wells and let us know how they do. Although the WRX Wagon I had drove like it was on rails, so it still might not be a fair test.

[Glitch]

Originally Posted by tidelines

Driving through Canada in winter as much as I have, I can see why they urge this; many drivers just don't seem to have any sense about how to make it through the season safely. I keep studs on my vehicle in winter, and chains behind the seat. The little Suburu wagon has new (Aug) all-seasons and I hope there's no problem when I go from Fbx to Haines next month; sure don't want to have chains clunking up the wheel wells for a short trip like that nor do I want to purchase another set of tires just to make the short trip through.

It has more to do with attitude than equipment. A lot of people think that because they have a 4x4, or because they have studded tires, that they are immune from the hazards of winter. They do not change how they drive from season to season.

While I certainly do highly recommend studded tires for winter driving, it is certainly possible to drive all winter long without them and never get into an accident. However, that requires driving according to the conditions of the road and many are unwilling to do that.

[AADAD]

^ Word. When I want a good laugh I visualize Cali drivers on ice roads.

[Dakster]

Just think of us South Florida driers on ice roads. We can't even drive in the rain...

(Luckily I have some Northern US winter driving experience)

[AADAD]

The snowflake symbol is a good even bet but if you really want winter tires go to Tire Rack and look at their tests (videos) and surveys. I like the Nokian SUV studded but I had the $$ then to buy them.