Winter Tires or All-Weather Tires in Quebec: What Your Dealer Recommends
Winter Tires or All-Weather Tires in Quebec: What Your Dealer Recommends
Posted on October 15, 2026
New Vehicle Sales Director — Brossard Hyundai
Every fall, it's the same scenario. The weather is still nice in September and October, we try to reach our clients to prepare for the busy season ahead of December 1, and then, bam! A storm in November, and it's a mad rush to get an appointment before the deadline.
If you're wondering whether an all-weather (four-season) tire could spare you that stress, the answer deserves some nuance. Here is what the law says, what the tests show, what I see in the field, and how I advise my clients in Brossard, Longueuil, La Prairie and across the South Shore.
What I See in Conversations With Clients
The objection I hear most often is cost: people want to save money. It's a legitimate concern, and most clients now understand the importance of a winter tire once we talk it through.
What helps me in that conversation is that everyone has lived one of these scenes: being stuck in a snowbank, sliding while braking, spinning in place when leaving a traffic light for lack of grip. And let's talk about hills!
In Quebec, the weather is harsh, and the safety of our clients and their families comes first. That's what guides our choice of tire brands and models, which we organize into three levels: good, better and best.
What the Law Says in Quebec
Winter tires are mandatory from December 1 to March 15 for vehicles registered in Quebec. The government recommends waiting a few weeks after March 15 before putting all-weather or summer tires back on.
A compliant tire must bear the official pictogram (a mountain and a snowflake) or be fitted with studs. Watch the wording: an ordinary "all-season" tire without that pictogram does not meet the minimum snow traction requirements and is not legal in winter. An "all-weather" tire approved for winter (called "quatre saisons" in French) carries the pictogram. Check your tire's sidewall.
A few useful points:
- The fine is $200 to $300 for drivers who don't comply.
- Studded tires are permitted from October 15 to May 1.
- Exceptions exist, notably for seven days after buying a vehicle from a dealer (with the sales contract) and for seven days before the end of a lease of one year or more (with the contract). Is your lease ending soon? Read our article on your Hyundai lease-end options.
The 7 °C Threshold
Hyundai Canada reminds its customers: at 7 °C, everything changes. Below that temperature, all-season and summer tires begin to lose their elasticity and grip, while winter tires are designed to keep their grip in cold weather.
A winter tire isn't just made for snow. It's made for the cold. Hyundai Canada suggests installing winter tires when the daily average temperature drops below 7 °C in the fall, and removing them when it stays above 7 °C in the spring. And as Hyundai specifies, winter tires must be installed as a set of four.
My Take on All-Weather Tires, and What the Tests Say
An all-weather tire that carries the pictogram complies with the law. But complying with the law doesn't mean performing like a winter tire. In my experience, its performance is weaker than that of a good winter tire, and independent tests confirm the gap, especially on ice.
The Tire Rack Test (March 2026)
On a sedan, at temperatures near freezing, Tire Rack compared five winter tires, three all-weather tires and two ordinary all-season tires.
| Tire type | On ice (19 km/h) | On snow (40 km/h) |
|---|---|---|
| Best winter tire | 12.0 m (39.4 ft) | 17.1 m (56.1 ft) |
| All-weather tires | 15.4 m and 16.2 m (two models) | about 22 m (two models); 17.9 m for the best |
| Ordinary all-season tires | 16.8 m to 17.6 m | up to 25.8 m (84.5 ft) |
On ice (braking from 19 km/h, or 12 mph), the best winter tire stopped in 12.0 m (39.4 ft). Two all-weather tires needed 15.4 m (50.6 ft) and 16.2 m (53 ft). An ordinary all-season tire needed 16.8 m (55 ft), and the worst needed 17.6 m (57.7 ft).
On snow (braking from 40 km/h, or 25 mph), the best winter tire stopped in 17.1 m (56.1 ft). Two all-weather tires needed about 22 m (72 to 73 ft). An ordinary all-season tire reached 25.8 m (84.5 ft). Another all-weather tire, however, came close to the winter tires at 17.9 m (58.6 ft), so the gap depends a lot on the specific model.
On the other hand, on wet pavement, some all-weather tires stopped shorter than winter tires. That's their strength, but it isn't what will get you out of trouble in January. The authors conclude that, for anyone driving regularly on snow or ice, there is no substitute for a dedicated winter tire.
Note: this test was run near freezing, on a sedan. Results vary by tire model, temperature and vehicle.
CAA-Québec's Position
CAA-Québec advises against all-weather tires approved for winter, especially in cold weather. Its analyst Sylvain Légaré explains that the approval is based on performance in deep snow, not on ice. The organization considers them suitable only for low-mileage city driving in mild winters, and writes: « Un pneu d'hiver bas de gamme sera toujours un meilleur pneu que n'importe quel pneu quatre saisons homologué hiver. » (A budget winter tire will always be a better tire than any all-weather tire approved for winter.)
Hyundai Canada's Position
Hyundai Canada states that winter tires are the best choice for winter driving, that all-weather tires suit moderate winters, and that for heavy snowfall you should use winter tires.
My field observation lines up with these sources: on ice, the gap is significant, and that's exactly where surprises get expensive.
How to Choose: Start From Your Needs, Not the Price
I never recommend a tire without understanding how the client uses it. It all depends on their commute, their city, their roads, and the countryside. A chalet with a steep driveway doesn't have the same demands as a daily city commute.
And with an all-wheel-drive SUV, given the weight involved, tire choice isn't based on cost. It's based on safety.
Here's what we compare together:
- The rubber compound. A softer compound offers excellent grip on ice and packed snow, but wears faster when temperatures rise. A firmer compound lasts longer and behaves with more precision on pavement.
- The tread pattern. Deep grooves help evacuate water and slush.
- Comfort. Winter tires are generally noisier, especially if you do a lot of highway driving.
- Tire ratings. The speed rating and load capacity must meet your vehicle manufacturer's specification. This is particularly important for a heavy SUV or an electric vehicle.
- The type of tire. An ice tire (studless) suits city driving and icy roads well. A snow tire is better in deep snow in the countryside. A studded tire offers very good grip on bare ice, but it's noisy on dry pavement.
Why I Also Recommend a Second Set of Rims
With the abrasives used on our roads, rims wear faster. Yes, a steel rim is less stylish, but it keeps your vehicle looking like it did when new. And it brings a real feeling of satisfaction in spring, when you switch back to your alloys!
When to Book
Don't count on the first snowfall to make up your mind. Every year, appointments fill up the moment a storm arrives, and those who wait end up scrambling before December 1.
Three simple ways to book your tire change:
- By phone, with our service appointment team: 1 (877) 697-6397.
- Online, on our service page.
- With your sales representative, who remains a great point of entry and ensures your after-sales follow-up.
What Doesn't Change
A winter tire improves grip, but it doesn't replace careful driving. And if budget is a concern, don't decide alone in front of a price: come talk to us. We'll look at your real usage together and find the right level for you.
Our Sales Director's Perspective
Complying with the law doesn't mean performing like a winter tire. On ice, the gap is significant, and that's exactly where surprises get expensive.
Jean-François Charest — New Vehicle Sales Director, Brossard Hyundai
With an all-wheel-drive SUV, given the weight involved, tire choice isn't based on cost. It's based on safety.
Jean-François Charest — New Vehicle Sales Director, Brossard Hyundai
Frequently Asked Questions About Winter and All-Weather Tires
What the Law Says
When are winter tires mandatory in Quebec?
Winter tires are mandatory from December 1 to March 15 for all vehicles registered in Quebec. The government recommends waiting a few weeks after March 15 before putting all-weather or summer tires back on.
Are all-weather tires legal in winter in Quebec?
Yes, if they bear the official mountain-and-snowflake pictogram on the sidewall. An ordinary all-season tire without that pictogram is not compliant in winter.
What is the fine for not having winter tires?
The fine is $200 to $300 for drivers who don't comply with the requirement between December 1 and March 15.
When are studded tires allowed in Quebec?
Studded tires are permitted from October 15 to May 1.
Performance and Choosing Tires
Do all-weather tires perform as well as winter tires?
No, especially on ice. In Tire Rack's March 2026 test, the best winter tire stopped in 12.0 m on ice from 19 km/h, versus 15.4 m and 16.2 m for two all-weather tires. CAA-Québec and Hyundai Canada recommend winter tires for winter driving.
What is the difference between all-season and all-weather tires?
An all-weather tire approved for winter bears the mountain-snowflake pictogram and is legal in winter in Quebec. An ordinary all-season tire lacks that pictogram and does not meet the minimum snow traction requirements.
At what temperature should I install winter tires?
Hyundai Canada suggests installing winter tires when the daily average temperature drops below 7 °C in the fall, and removing them when it stays above 7 °C in the spring.
Should I install four winter tires or just two?
Four. Hyundai specifies that winter tires must be installed as a set of four.
Why buy a second set of rims for winter?
The abrasives spread on Quebec roads speed up rim wear. A set of steel winter rims protects your original alloy wheels and simplifies every tire change.
How do I book a tire change at Brossard Hyundai?
By phone with the service department at 1 877 697-6397, online on the service page at brossardhyundai.com, or through your sales representative. Book before the first storm to avoid the late-November rush.
Let's Talk About Your Winter Tires
Whether you already have your tires or you're weighing several options, our team can advise you based on your vehicle, your roads and your reality.
Brossard Hyundai
8750 Taschereau Blvd., Brossard, QC J4X 1C2
Sales: 1 (866) 848-0083
Service: 1 (877) 697-6397
Book online: brossardhyundai.com/en/service
Rules and amounts may change. Always confirm current requirements on Québec.ca. The test results cited come from specific conditions and may differ by vehicle, tire and temperature. Information current as of October 14, 2026.
Sources: Government of Quebec (Winter tire requirements), Tire Rack ("All-Weather vs. Winter Tires: The Definitive Test," March 2, 2026), CAA-Québec ("Pneus quatre saisons homologués hiver : les limites," updated January 22, 2026), Hyundai Canada (winter vs. all-season vs. all-weather tires article and customer message on the tire-change season).