When should you put winter tires on in Kamloops?
By LSG Auto Nation · · Updated
Short answer
Put your winter tires on by October 1 if you drive on highways out of Kamloops. BC requires them on most highways, including Highway 1 and the Coquihalla, from October 1 to March 31, and until April 30 on mountain passes. If you only drive around town, switch once it stays below about 7°C.
Kamloops winters can be mild in town but harsh on the highways out of it. Mountain passes like the Coquihalla can get snow weeks before the city does, which is why BC’s winter tire rules start on October 1. The same advice applies whether you live in town or drive in from Merritt, Salmon Arm, Vernon or Williams Lake.
What do BC’s winter tire rules say?
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| When | October 1 to March 31, and until April 30 on mountain passes and some other roads |
| Where | Most BC highways, including the ones in and around Kamloops |
| Which tires count | Tires with the M+S mark or the snowflake-on-a-mountain symbol |
| How much tread they need | At least 3.5 mm |
| If you don’t have them | You can be fined and turned back |
The rules apply to highways, not city streets. Signs at the start of each highway show when winter tires are required, and DriveBC has road conditions before you go.
How do I know if my tires count as winter tires?
Look on the side of the tire for one of these two marks:
- M+S, for mud and snow. Many all-season tires have it. They’re legal on BC highways, but their rubber gets hard in the cold and they grip less on ice.
- A snowflake on a mountain. These tires have passed a snow-grip test. Their rubber stays soft below about 7°C, so they stop and turn much better in snow, slush and ice.
If you often drive the Coquihalla, Highway 1 east or Highway 5 north in winter, snowflake tires are the safer choice.
When should I switch in Kamloops?
- If you drive on highways: before October 1, every year.
- If you only drive in town: once daytime temperatures stay below about 7°C, or before the first snow, whichever comes first.
- Switching back: after March 31, or April 30 if you use mountain passes, once it stays above about 7°C.
Book early, because tire shops get very busy once the first cold snap arrives.
Are my winter tires good for another season?
Check these three things before you put them back on:
- Tread depth. The legal minimum is 3.5 mm, but grip in snow drops off well before that. A tread depth gauge costs only a few dollars.
- Age. Rubber gets harder with age, even when the tread looks fine. The tire’s age is in a code on its side.
- Damage. Look for cracks, bulges and cuts on the sides.
We check the tread and condition at every seasonal tire changeover. That way, you’ll know before the snow arrives whether your tires have another season left.