Count as Winter Tires in Montreal... Yes or No?

[Gothmog3VZ]

Ok, my dad got a ticket earlier today in our truck (1996 Explorer Eddie Bauer), because ostensibly, our tires are not considered "Winter" tires. They are Michelins
255/70R16 109S - LTX M&S

bigass offroad things, and we've never had any grip issues with them either. Now, I was certain that the M&S refers to "Mud and Snow", meaning that they ought to be good for winter driving (either that or high-altitude mountain offroading [only other way that you can expect snow], which is way more hardcore than driving down a plowed street right after lunch).

LT refers to Light Truck, not sure about the X, but in general it strikes me that these tires meet winter-driving standards. Ticket is going to be contested (because frankly, $275 is a LOT of $$$ at this time of year). Any thoughts?

[carsrus]

Wow, is there a law that requires snow tires in Canada?

Im not gonna lie that would be a reallly stupid yet smart law if there is one.

heres the type of tire your describing though. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....odel=LTX+M%2FS

"NOTE: The LTX M/S Highway All-Season tire is NOT a dedicated winter / snow tire. It does NOT meet the severe snow traction requirements and is NOT branded with the mountain/snowflake symbol."

[Gothmog3VZ]

eh, it's a wierd law; I've seen so many cars running around with "winter" tires that have maybe 2-3mm of tread left, and cops all but ignore them

Well, I read the these tires are good for all seasons (not "dedicated" winter tires)

http://www.michelinman.ca/overview/ltx-m-s/27.html

"Excellent grip in just about all weather conditions"
-This was tested by me a few days back, screwing around in a parking lot after work with friends.

Plus, the tread is hella deep. The *only* thing that would disqualify it is the fact that the rubber is an all-season compound (hardens around -10*), but that should be off-set by the size of the contact patches, and the tread depth.

[PhatRoyale]

Originally Posted by carsrus

Wow, is there a law that requires snow tires in Canada?

Im not gonna lie that would be a reallly stupid yet smart law if there is one.

heres the type of tire your describing though. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....odel=LTX+M%2FS

"NOTE: The LTX M/S Highway All-Season tire is NOT a dedicated winter / snow tire. It does NOT meet the severe snow traction requirements and is NOT branded with the mountain/snowflake symbol."

It's the law only in certain provinces, Quebec being one of them.

OP, that sucks to hear.... it's a pretty steep ticket. What are you planning on doing now?

[ricamryman]

My new Firestone WinterForce Tires are a dedicated winter/snow tire & is branded with the Mountain/Snow flake Symbol!

[Buurin]

Michelin just likes to throw "X" into their tires' names.

The mountain/snowflake symbol is all that matters.

[bigbird]

wow...that sucks. what a shit law!. but id just go and ask the local police or court house for a list of "approved" winter tires.

[CJCride]

Seeing as the law is only about a year old, he should go to court take a couple of close up shots of the M&S on sidewall and treads. Hopefully the Judge will give dad a chance.

[Gothmog3VZ]

Plan is currently to contest it. My dad said he was under the impression that the tires should be adequate, hence why we didn't change them. He already sent in the ticket with close-ups of the tire sidewall (specifically, the markings)

Hoping that the judge gives us a chance because otherwise, $ 275 for ticket, plus ~$500, possibly a bit more for tires .

Anyhow, Hoping all goes well. I'll keep you guys posted as to what happens.

[Eye8Pussies]

you need the snowflake- I'd bring it to court- I'll guarantee that they won't drop the ticket, since the law requires winter tires, but I bet that they will lower the fine most likely

go out and get some winter tires- just because all-season tires have deep tread, it doesn't make them winter tires


I'm all for the winter tire law- if they brought it to Ontario, I'd be happy. too many idiot drivers driving without winter tires when they should have them here

[ricamryman]

Originally Posted by Eye8Pussies

you need the snowflake- I'd bring it to court- I'll guarantee that they won't drop the ticket, since the law requires winter tires, but I bet that they will lower the fine most likely

go out and get some winter tires- just because all-season tires have deep tread, it doesn't make them winter tires


I'm all for the winter tire law- if they brought it to Ontario, I'd be happy. too many idiot drivers driving without winter tires when they should have them here

My All Season Tires handled like crap in the snow, before I installed the FireStone WinterForce Tires for the winter!.....

[Gothmog3VZ]

Well, parents went to a party last night, and my dad discussed this with one of his friends, and it turns out that our courts are somewhat overworked; He had to wait 18 months to get a court date for a speeding ticket, so it seems likely that something similar will occur for us as well.

as far as handling, she does a bit better than my Camry with her "Snowtrakker" winter tires until you hit ice; at that point, both slide like hell, but, yeah, they don't have the snowflake sign. Dad wouldn't object horribly to buying new tires, except for the fact that he wants to sell the truck in the spring, and we've already spent close to what it's worth in new parts/repairs/other costs
(related note: Quebec has a tax on engine displacement if it's larger than a certain size (I think 4L). I want to move to Ontario now )

whatever we replace the truck with will have winter tires for sure, though...

*EDIT*
forgot to mention, my dad did some research; turns out that if the tire has both LT and M+S designation, it is considered "adequate" by the Surete Quebec (although the text is somewhat ambiguous on this). Since tires are LTX M+S, that's plan of defence for when we finally get to the court.

[Eye8Pussies]

^ that's good to hear that they still qualify


and I'm also glad to hear that you guys want to get snow tires regardless (if you were to keep the truck) since you know that they are truly what is needed for winter driving safety

people who believe an all-season tire is as good as a winter tire in the winter is just plain ignorant- and we have plenty of those in ontario already since they aren't mandatory

[Kenny_McCormic]

Plenty of people do fine with all season tires and common sense. A guy I know recently purchased a beat up 80s Trans Am with a 305 V8 for $600 with bad brakes and bald tires, he put brakes on and drove it with the bald tires, in the winter. Derrick got around in the snow just fine till he got tires, now he gets around better.

[CJCride]

Not everyone who's gone to the edge lives to tell about it.