Ancient Sledder
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I have heard a rumour that BC will be enforcing a snow tire only law on their highways this year. Quebec started this a few years ago. Does anybody have any info on this?
Snow tires in BC.
- Thread starter Ancient Sledder
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anywhere they have the signs up! they put signs up last year for most mountain passes and some high snow areas. you must either have winter tires on or chains. better get to the tire shop early!
Firefly
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I would just like to clarify, your tires need to have the Snowflake symbol correct to be classified winter grade tires?
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Ancient Sledder
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Both trucks have BFG A/T KO's on them. I'm not giving BC any more money than I have to.
quebec made it law last year, ontario its in legislation right now. its coming west ppl! and no! the bfg did have the severe winter emblem, but failed the test afterwards and had to remove it. general all terrains have the emblem as does some goodyear product.
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rondun
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I was told that B.C. is going to have it law this Jan.2010 or next Jan.2011. If you see our roads in the winter you will agree that the law is already too late. I drive with winters all year long, Pulling my trailer in the Okanagan last summer you could see them wear. :d:
RMK Junky
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Just a little info I've found reguarding tire requirements from different searches 
1) In Alberta there are no provincial regulations requiring the use of either snow tires or chains. These tires are "needed when conditions warrant it." Generally, this implies the routes to ski resorts. While it is legal in Alberta to use snow road technology such as chains and studded tires, these are usually only needed for extreme driving conditions on highways. The Rubber Manufacturers Association follows a standard in making snow tires. Any tire marked, "Snow tires," "Mud and snow," or "M/S" meets the standard.
2) In British Columbia provincial law states that vehicles in the mountains must be equipped with either snow tires or chains from November 1 – April 30.
Enforced more so for commercial carriers. I have been checked at the Tete Jaune Cache (Valemont) scales for this.
3) The RCMP have been checking vehicles on the Sea to Sky highway and ticketing vehicles that don’t have proper winter tires and/or chains ($109 ticket). Vehicles that don’t have appropriate tires are then turned around and sent back to Vancouver. This isn’t happening all the time, but keep it in mind when considering whether you should rent a car. You might get lucky and have dry roads for your trip. Or not. Remember, almost none of the rental cars available at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) would make it through those checks. Here’s the problem: The vast majority of rental cars in British Columbia are not available with snow tires or chains. Rental cars in British Columbia will most likely have "all season" tires (which are a myth), and some may even have summer tires.
4) The law requires proper winter tires or snow chains on many mountain passes, but a survey by CBC News found that it’s nearly impossible to find a rental car with either safety feature. None of the more than a dozen rental car agencies in Vancouver contacted by the CBC offered snow tires or chains.
I think this will be enforced sooner than later with the 2010 Olympics just around the corner.
1) In Alberta there are no provincial regulations requiring the use of either snow tires or chains. These tires are "needed when conditions warrant it." Generally, this implies the routes to ski resorts. While it is legal in Alberta to use snow road technology such as chains and studded tires, these are usually only needed for extreme driving conditions on highways. The Rubber Manufacturers Association follows a standard in making snow tires. Any tire marked, "Snow tires," "Mud and snow," or "M/S" meets the standard.
2) In British Columbia provincial law states that vehicles in the mountains must be equipped with either snow tires or chains from November 1 – April 30.
Enforced more so for commercial carriers. I have been checked at the Tete Jaune Cache (Valemont) scales for this.
3) The RCMP have been checking vehicles on the Sea to Sky highway and ticketing vehicles that don’t have proper winter tires and/or chains ($109 ticket). Vehicles that don’t have appropriate tires are then turned around and sent back to Vancouver. This isn’t happening all the time, but keep it in mind when considering whether you should rent a car. You might get lucky and have dry roads for your trip. Or not. Remember, almost none of the rental cars available at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) would make it through those checks. Here’s the problem: The vast majority of rental cars in British Columbia are not available with snow tires or chains. Rental cars in British Columbia will most likely have "all season" tires (which are a myth), and some may even have summer tires.
4) The law requires proper winter tires or snow chains on many mountain passes, but a survey by CBC News found that it’s nearly impossible to find a rental car with either safety feature. None of the more than a dozen rental car agencies in Vancouver contacted by the CBC offered snow tires or chains.
I think this will be enforced sooner than later with the 2010 Olympics just around the corner.
Your rental needs winter tires, too
Don Plant
2009-10-23
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Tourists renting cars may be the last to know they must have winter tires if they‘re driving to Big White.
The RCMP are starting to enforce legislation that requires motorists to install winter tires or carry chains before they drive mountain passes like Highway 33, the road to Big White or Okanagan Connector.
If police catch you without the equipment, you‘re liable for a fine of at least $121, said RCMP Staff Sgt. Al Dengis of Central Okanagan Traffic Services.
All vehicles, including rental cars, buses and commercial vehicles, must comply.
“You‘ll have to have winter tires. If you don‘t, you‘ll have to carry a set of chains with you and (use them) during the inclement weather you may encounter along the route,” Dengis said.
The law is news to staff at Avis Car and Truck Rental in Kelowna. When asked if the company‘s rental cars have winter tires, one employee said they‘re all equipped with all-season tires, which police won‘t accept.
The employee said he was unaware of the new requirement.
“It‘s interesting to hear they‘re enforcing that,” he said.
Staff at the Vancouver Airport Avis are aware of the law.
Police will “turn you around” if you‘re heading to Whistler in a rented car without winter tires or chains, said Al Virani, shift manager for Avis. The company will equip three vehicle models with winter tires as of Nov. 1.
If customers want the tires, it will cost them $10 per day extra. But it‘s up to them to learn about the B.C. law if they intend to travel mountain passes, Virani said.
“It‘s up to the consumer to be aware,” he said. “Half the time we don‘t know where people are going.”
Winter tires are designated under the province‘s Motor Vehicle Act. The legislation has been in place for more than a year. Police have been “educating” the public about it until now. The time has come to start enforcing the law, Dengis said.
Signs reminding drivers to have winter tires from Oct. 1 through April 30 will be posted along the routes soon, he said.
All four tires on a vehicle must be the same and show the winter logo – a snowflake inside a mountain symbol.
Police will issue tickets when officers find a vehicle lacks winter equipment after a traffic incident, Dengis said. If there‘s severe weather, police may also set up road checks on the route to Big White and stop vehicles randomly.
“If you lose control … your car can cross the highway and take out another vehicle coming in the opposite direction,” he said.
Most motorists in the Central Okanagan already use winter tires, Dengis said.
Don Plant
2009-10-23
Email this article
Send a Letter to the Editor
Printer friendly page
Tourists renting cars may be the last to know they must have winter tires if they‘re driving to Big White.
The RCMP are starting to enforce legislation that requires motorists to install winter tires or carry chains before they drive mountain passes like Highway 33, the road to Big White or Okanagan Connector.
If police catch you without the equipment, you‘re liable for a fine of at least $121, said RCMP Staff Sgt. Al Dengis of Central Okanagan Traffic Services.
All vehicles, including rental cars, buses and commercial vehicles, must comply.
“You‘ll have to have winter tires. If you don‘t, you‘ll have to carry a set of chains with you and (use them) during the inclement weather you may encounter along the route,” Dengis said.
The law is news to staff at Avis Car and Truck Rental in Kelowna. When asked if the company‘s rental cars have winter tires, one employee said they‘re all equipped with all-season tires, which police won‘t accept.
The employee said he was unaware of the new requirement.
“It‘s interesting to hear they‘re enforcing that,” he said.
Staff at the Vancouver Airport Avis are aware of the law.
Police will “turn you around” if you‘re heading to Whistler in a rented car without winter tires or chains, said Al Virani, shift manager for Avis. The company will equip three vehicle models with winter tires as of Nov. 1.
If customers want the tires, it will cost them $10 per day extra. But it‘s up to them to learn about the B.C. law if they intend to travel mountain passes, Virani said.
“It‘s up to the consumer to be aware,” he said. “Half the time we don‘t know where people are going.”
Winter tires are designated under the province‘s Motor Vehicle Act. The legislation has been in place for more than a year. Police have been “educating” the public about it until now. The time has come to start enforcing the law, Dengis said.
Signs reminding drivers to have winter tires from Oct. 1 through April 30 will be posted along the routes soon, he said.
All four tires on a vehicle must be the same and show the winter logo – a snowflake inside a mountain symbol.
Police will issue tickets when officers find a vehicle lacks winter equipment after a traffic incident, Dengis said. If there‘s severe weather, police may also set up road checks on the route to Big White and stop vehicles randomly.
“If you lose control … your car can cross the highway and take out another vehicle coming in the opposite direction,” he said.
Most motorists in the Central Okanagan already use winter tires, Dengis said.
08summit
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Thanks for the info guys...Good post
I'm going to have to check my nitto mud grapplers tomorrow but I doubt they are. Honestly, I find the articles funny, they say the mud terrain tires don't cut it in snow? I guess it is gov't and they don't know anything about tires. O well guess i'll have to carry some chains in the truck, not like i'll ever need them though.
But the thing is, any 4wd truck with decent tires like all terrains, mud terrains, etc will be a ton better then a car snow tires or not in heavy snow
But the thing is, any 4wd truck with decent tires like all terrains, mud terrains, etc will be a ton better then a car snow tires or not in heavy snow
I'm going to have to check my nitto mud grapplers tomorrow but I doubt they are. Honestly, I find the articles funny, they say the mud terrain tires don't cut it in snow? I guess it is gov't and they don't know anything about tires. O well guess i'll have to carry some chains in the truck, not like i'll ever need them though.
But the thing is, any 4wd truck with decent tires like all terrains, mud terrains, etc will be a ton better then a car snow tires or not in heavy snow
If I'm not mistaken, SOME mud terrains are horrible in snow. The rubber compound simply isn't designed for cooler temperatures and they turn into pucks.
Once again, this is all I have heard.
I have standard all seasons on my TRD, but looks like I'll have to buy chains =( I don't care if I have to use chains, I just don't want them wrecking my wheels.
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I have all season tires on most my vehicles but in the winter when I change over to "winter tires" there is a noticeable difference in the way the tire reacts to snow and ice.
I'm a believer in snow tires.
I'm a believer in snow tires.
LID
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Got Blizzaks for my 06 Tacoma two winters ago, for driving back and forth to Ft.Crack every 5 days. They are a HUGE improvement over my all-season Dueler AT's, which are actually pretty good in the snow. The Blizzaks stop you way faster.
Ryano
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put some nokian winters with studs on for the first time ever bring on the ice and snow looking forward to trying them out
canadian madman
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Like alot of other guys out there i'm running oversized tires...35 x 12.5 on my 1 ton...i'd like to put winter tires on this winter (and now it sounds like i will have to) but don't want to make the truck look retarded...
biggest i can find for:
17" Rims:
TOYO Open Country WLT1 LT285/70R17 (32.8 x 11.5)
18" Rims:
TOYO Open Country WLT1 LT275/70R18 (33.5 x 10.9)
If i'm reading it right, they should be 10 ply "E" rating
Not the best, but sure alot better than what has been offered in the past...has anyone found better "winter tires" ?
biggest i can find for:
17" Rims:
TOYO Open Country WLT1 LT285/70R17 (32.8 x 11.5)
18" Rims:
TOYO Open Country WLT1 LT275/70R18 (33.5 x 10.9)
If i'm reading it right, they should be 10 ply "E" rating
Not the best, but sure alot better than what has been offered in the past...has anyone found better "winter tires" ?
canadian madman
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here is the link to the website in case anyone wants more info
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I'd just get the tires you want and keep some chains in the box, you throw chains on any tire and they will go through absolutely anything. I know my nitto mud grapplers will go threw snow better then any snow tire, I don't really care if they ain't a snow tire, just a regular M&S. And yea it is about impossible to find a oversized snow tire. My nitto's have proved to me plenty last winter they are an amazing snow tire.
DaveB
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Mud tires are fine for loose snow, but are worse than summer tires on ice. Real winter tires have tons of siping that really helps grab on the ice. I switch to studded Cooper winter tires every year and will never go back to mud tires in the winter.
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