Overview: Tire Shops
A tire store in most of Canada sells you rubber twice: one set for winter and one for the rest of the year. Plenty of stores will also store whichever set is off the car.
Some provinces write winter into law. Quebec requires four winter tires on vehicles registered there for a set period each winter, and only tires with the mountain and snowflake pictogram, or studded tires, count. British Columbia requires winter tires on designated highways marked by signs, mostly outside the Lower Mainland and southeastern Vancouver Island, and there a tire marked M+S qualifies as long as it keeps enough tread. Ontario doesn't require winter tires at all, but every auto insurer there has to offer a discount if you fit them.
Ask what the price includes. Mounting, balancing, valve stems, pressure sensors and storage are separate lines in some stores. Every province has a used-tire recycling program, and a recycling fee on new tires often shows up on the bill.
Our listings show what each store states on its own website: the brands it carries, fitting and storage. The province and city lists below lead to stores near you, and fall appointments fill quickly.
Cost of buying tires in Canada
Compare the exact tire model, size, load rating and fitted-set total. These example sizes help you budget; they do not predict the price of every vehicle’s tires. Four new tires with standard mounting and balancing on existing wheels. Ask whether tax, provincial tire fees and disposal are included.
| Service | Budget estimate | Scope and notes |
|---|---|---|
| All-season tires, 205/55R16 | CA$500–825set of four, fitted | Budget to mid-range touring tires; standard mounting and balancing on existing wheels. |
| Winter tires, 205/55R16 | CA$500–950set of four, fitted | Budget to mid-range unstudded winter tires; wheels and sensors extra. |
| All-weather tires, 205/55R16 | CA$540–1,040set of four, fitted | Mountain-snowflake all-weather tires; budget to mid-range grades. |
| SUV all-season tires, 225/65R17 | CA$650–1,050set of four, fitted | Passenger-rated budget to mid-range SUV tires; LT fitments excluded. |
What changes the price
- Exact size, load/speed rating and season category
- Brand, warranty and included future service
- New wheels, sensors, delivery and tire fees
Ask before you book
- What is the total for four fitted tires with every mandatory fee?
- Which exact model and load/speed rating does the quote cover?
- Is the rebate immediate, and are future repairs or rotations included?
Comparing offers
Compare the price before any rebate requiring a later claim. New wheels and storage are separate purchases.
Ask whether taxes are included.
Frequently asked questions
How do I pick the right tire size?
Start with the placard in the driver's door jamb, not whatever is on the car now, since a previous owner may have changed it. It lists the size, load index and speed rating. For a winter set, many drivers here go one width narrower on a second set of wheels, which cuts through slush and spares the tires from being remounted twice a year. Ask the store which sizes are approved for your car.
All-season, winter or summer tires?
It depends on your province and your winters. Quebec only counts tires with the mountain and snowflake pictogram, or studs, during its mandatory period. British Columbia accepts M+S all-seasons on its designated highways, though the province recommends the mountain and snowflake tire for regular winter travel. All-weather tires carry that symbol and stay on year-round. Summer tires turn hard and slippery in the cold, so they're for warm months only.
Is it worth storing my tires at the store?
Often, if you don't have a cool, dry spot at home. Tires kept in a hot garage, next to a furnace or out in the sun age faster. Store storage usually comes with the seasonal swap, so the set gets checked for damage and tread while it's off the car. Ask whether stored tires are insured against loss, and photograph them with their date codes before you hand them over.
Does my insurer give a discount for winter tires?
In Ontario, every auto insurer has to offer one, but each company sets its own terms. Ask whether it wants all four tires carrying the mountain and snowflake symbol, whether all-weather tires count, and which dates they need to be on the car. Keep the invoice, because an adjuster may ask for proof after a winter claim. Elsewhere in Canada, ask your insurer or broker directly.
Do I have to replace all four at once?
For summer tires, not always. A pair is fine on a two-wheel-drive car if the other two still have good tread, and the new pair goes on the rear for stability. All-wheel drive is stricter, because a mismatch strains the drivetrain. Winter tires are different. Quebec's rule calls for four, and a car with winter grip on only one axle can swap ends on ice.
