Winter tire deadline around the corner

The deadline to install winter tires in Quebec is fast approaching, Pneus Gordon in NDG is servicing 100 cars daily Monday to Saturday.

It’ll be tough to get an appointment though– the garage has been fully booked since September.

 The province requires all vehicles registered in Quebec to have winter tires installed by Dec. 1 or drivers can face fines of up to $300. 

“There’s absolutely no way you can drive Montreal winters without winter tires,” said Kabir Kapoor, customer at Pneus Gordon.

“I think that most driving that’s done in Montreal on icy roads with no winter tires, you’re susceptible to accidents. It’s dangerous, and I wouldn’t recommend it,” added Kapoor.

Pneus Gordon employees say this time of year is always a little chaotic.

“The months of September, October, November, even the first couple weeks of December are chaotic, but everybody expects it, and we’re prepared for it. So, it’s something we also look forward to, keeping busy, and we’re more than happy to be here. Overall, even though it’s a chaotic day. We still get the job done and it’s great,” said Alessandro Mancini, Sales Manager at Pneus Gordons.

“We try to push out like two to three cars an hour. It’s not as we have like maybe like a hard rush month, its like a hard rush year. It can go throughout the whole winter or it can always be a rush. You know, people are always late. A lot of these people you see here today, they schedule within September, October that far just to get in now,” said Zach Felix-Comeau, Mechanic at Pneus Gordons.

Quebec’s law requires winter tires to remain on most vehicles until March 15th. 

“I think it’s kind of odd that they’ve actually moved up the dates considering the weather has gotten a lot milder. So, like I’m changing my tires today, but it’s not even really that cold out and it’s raining,” said Laura Cousineau, Customer at Pneus Gordons.

The rubber of all season tires hardens around 7 degrees celsius and below, which reduces traction and grip, according to CAA. But the rubber in winter tires is designed to stay flexible when the mercury drops. 

“Obviously, everybody looks at price, so, that’s obviously a factor in it. I have continental tires, they’ve been great. I don’t know if it’s compared to other tires, what exactly the best is. But I usually always take the recommendations of the specialists,” said Cousineau.

“I prefer me personally, a soft tire. It grips better on ice and snow. I prefer just strictly winter. It’s way better on the ice. but I know they salt here heavily, said Felix-Comeau.

Snow is on the forecast for next week in Montreal. Environment Canada says there’s a chance of snow on Tuesday, and a chance of flurries on Thursday and Friday.

“I can see a difference between having summer and winter tires. So I definitely think it’s necessary. I had a couple of friends that visit from places that don’t require winter tires; I always tell them, you know, Montreal’s probably not a great idea if you don’t have winter tires,” said Cousineau.

“Just put them on your car. Just make sure you’re driving safe, that’s it. Come to Gordon’s,” said Kapoor.