It’s not surprising that New Brunswick winters can be treacherous, especially when the roads are covered in snow. That’s why it’s a good idea, regardless of where you live in the province, to use winter tires on your vehicle.
You might even want to use studded tires in New Brunswick if you’re not living in a populated urban area. These can really help improve your grip and make it safer for you to drive, especially in icy and treacherous conditions.
While all season tires might be good enough for the 3 other seasons, you’re definitely going to run into some issues with winter driving. They simply don’t offer enough grip or tread and you’re bound to end up in the ditch, even if you’re careful.
This post is going to cover the basics of winter driving in New Brunswick. Specifically, when you should remove your studded tires, winter tires, and some other helpful winter driving tips.
When Do Studded Tires Have to be Off in New Brunswick?
In the province of New Brunswick, you’re allowed to use studded tires between October 15th and May 1st. This means that studded tires need to be off by May 1st and replaced with your all season or summer tires.
It’s not a good idea to keep driving with studded tires outside of this time frame. The tires are going to be louder on the road, they’re going to wear down faster, and they can also damage the roads as it starts to warm up.
Not only that, you can also be fined up to $750 for leaving your studded tires on outside of the recommended time period. Generally, it’s going to be warm enough by the beginning of May that you won’t need to use your winter or studded tires anyways.
Should You Use Winter Tires in New Brunswick?
Yes, it’s definitely a good idea to use winter tires throughout the winter in New Brunswick. They are going to provide you with better traction and control during severe weather conditions.
Unlike Quebec and Ontario, there aren’t any incentives or legal requirements to use winter tires or studded tires during the winter in this province. However, the provincial government recommends using them and it’s a good idea for your personal safety when you’re out driving.
While there is legislation for winter tires in New Brunswick, it’s only specific to school buses. Anyone else is free to use the tires that they want throughout the year.
Are All-Season Tires Good for Winter in New Brunswick?
Unfortunately, we wouldn’t recommend using all season tires throughout the winter. These tires are generally suitable for the spring, summer, and fall seasons.
The problem with using them during the winter is that they have a lower tread depth and aren’t as effective in cold or treacherous winter conditions. Even if you are using all season tires, it’s a good idea to invest in winter tires or studded tires as well.
Financially speaking, there can be a significant investment having to buy winter tires and you’ll also have to change them twice throughout the year. However, this means they’re going to last twice as long while providing you with the safety you want on the road during the winter.
How Much Does it Cost to Change to Winter Tires in New Brunswick?
It’s surprisingly affordable to change over to the winter or studded tires. Many of you will have your own local garage or mechanic in New Brunswick that you visit regularly.
If the tires are already on rims, you can expect to spend between $40 and $100 to get the tires switched over. This is a small price to pay for your safety when you’re out on the road.
Helpful New Brunswick Winter Driving Tips
Always keep some cold-weather gear, a flashlight, warm clothing, and even some hand warmers in your vehicle. You never know when something could happen out on the road and you wouldn’t want to be stranded without having anything with you.
Double check that your tires are properly inflated and have enough tread for the winter conditions for driving in. It’s also a good idea to keep at least half a tank of fuel in your vehicle.
Avoid using cruise control in slippery conditions. This can cause the tires to spin unevenly and you could spin out and lose control of your vehicle.
During extreme weather events it’s always a good idea to stay home. There’s no need to take unnecessary risks by heading out into treacherous conditions. All of this is good to know if you’re planning on moving to New Brunswick and it’s one of your first East Coast winters!
