Updated October 19, 2026
Start with the season
Read which winter tire belongs on a Kanata car, then when to change over. Compare a second size in the tire calculator before you order a winter wheel.
Guides
Winter tires for Kanata
Kanata winters call for a matched set of four winter tires with the three-peak mountain snowflake, not all-season tires left on through January.
When to change tires in Ottawa
Switch to winter tires in Ottawa when mornings stay near 7°C, usually mid to late October, and switch back once days stay warmer in April.
Studded tires in Ontario
Studded tires are not allowed on Ottawa and Kanata roads. Southern Ontario drivers use studless winter tires with the three-peak snowflake instead.
All-weather tires versus a winter set
All-weather tires with the snowflake can stay on all year in Ottawa. A separate winter set still grips better on packed snow and ice for a daily commute.
Cold tire pressure in Ottawa
Ottawa cold drops tire pressure about 1 psi for every 5 to 6°C. Set the door-placard pressure in the morning, before the car is driven.
Potholes and wheels in Kanata
Kanata's spring potholes bend wheels and knock alignment out. A new vibration or a pull to one side needs the wheel checked before the tire fails.
Road salt and winter wheels
Ottawa road salt pits alloy wheels and seizes them to the hub. A steel winter wheel, washed through the season, avoids most of that corrosion.
Winter tires for the Highway 417 commute
The 417 from Kanata to downtown needs four matched winter tires, healthy tread for slush, and door-placard pressure for a stable lane change.
Reading a winter tire size
A tire size is width, aspect ratio, and wheel diameter. For an Ottawa winter set, keep the overall diameter close to the original so the speedometer still matches.
Replace tires before the Ottawa winter
Replace a winter tire before Ottawa's first hard freeze if tread is near 4 mm or the tire is roughly six to ten years old. The legal minimum is 1.5 mm.
Questions
Does Ottawa require winter tires?
No. Ontario does not require winter tires. Quebec requires them from December 1 to March 15 for vehicles registered in Quebec, which does not include an Ontario-plated car.
When should Kanata drivers switch to winter tires?
When morning temperatures stay near 7°C, usually the second half of October, and switch back once days stay warmer in April.
Are studded tires allowed in Kanata?
No. Studded tires are not allowed on vehicles kept in Southern Ontario, including Ottawa and Kanata.
What does the tire calculator compare?
Two sizes: diameter, sidewall, circumference, revolutions per kilometre, and actual speed at an indicated 60 km/h.