Tire studding in Laval

When are studded tires worth it?

Studs are small metal pins set into the tread of a winter tire. On ice and hard-packed snow, they bite into the surface where rubber alone tends to slide. They make the most difference on glare ice, freezing rain, steep icy driveways and rural or regional roads that are cleared less often.

If you drive mostly on salted, cleared city streets, a good winter tire with the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol (3PMSF) is often enough. Studs make more noise on dry pavement and help less on bare asphalt. If you live in the Laurentians, Lanaudière or another area where roads often stay icy, or you leave early in the morning before the plows come by, studding is worth considering.

Studded tire rules in Quebec

According to Québec.ca, studded tires are allowed from October 15 to May 1 on passenger vehicles, taxis and commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 3,000 kg or less. This permission is set by the Regulation respecting the use of anti-skid devices on the tires of certain road vehicles (CQLR c. C-24.2, r. 44).

This is separate from the winter tire requirement, which applies from December 1 to March 15. Rules are different outside Quebec: before a trip to another province or to the United States, check the local rules. For any specific situation, refer to the SAAQ and Québec.ca, the official sources linked below.

Official sources: Québec.ca — Winter tire requirements · Regulation C-24.2, r. 44 (LégisQuébec) · SAAQ

Which tires can be studded?

Only tires designed to receive studs can be studded. On our website, these tires show a “Studdable” badge on their tile, based on the information from the tire supplier. Factory-studded tires show a “Studded” badge, and the “Studded tires” filter of the catalogue lets you display them.

Right now, 1,202 new studdable tires are in stock, including 1,161 winter or winter-rated tires. This count comes from the live catalogue and changes with stock.

• Eligible: new tires from our catalogue marked “Studdable” and not already studded.
• Not eligible: used tires, trailer tires and tires that are not designed for studs.
• The studding option is verified again at payment: a tire that cannot be studded is refused before any charge.

Price and lead time: $25 per tire, 1 extra business day

Studding costs $25 per tire before taxes, so $100 for a set of 4 tires. GST and QST apply, as on the rest of your order. The web discount and other site discounts do not apply to studding.

Your tires first come to our Laval shop to be studded. That is why studding adds one business day to pickup, delivery or installation. The extra day is shown in your order confirmation.

How to order studding online

Studding is added in the cart, at the same time as your tires. No separate appointment is needed.

1. Choose your winter tires and look for the “Studdable” badge on the tile.
2. Add the tires to your cart. The cart asks: “Would you like these tires studded? $25 per tire.” Answer Yes or No.
3. You can change your mind at any time in the cart or at checkout with “Add studding” or “Remove studding”.
4. A “Tire studding” line appears in your totals (for example 4 × $25) before payment.
5. Choose pickup, delivery or installation. We add one business day to account for studding.

Pickup, delivery or installation

Pick up your studded tires at our shop, 1870 rue Cunard, Laval, QC H7S 2B2, or have eligible new tires delivered in Quebec; the options available for your order are shown in the cart.

Need installation? Installation by appointment on Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., from October 24 to November 28, with a 50% surcharge on installation. Balancing is included and you book online.

Tips for studded tires

We recommend studding all four tires so the vehicle behaves evenly when braking and cornering. For the first kilometres, drive gently and follow the tire manufacturer's recommendations so the studs settle properly. Check the condition of your studs and tread at the start of each season.

Tire studding: frequently asked questions