Early winter weather leaves Montreal drivers scrambling for tire appointments

Winter weather caught many Quebecers off guard. Now there’s a scramble to get winter tires installed, but some garages are booked until the December deadline.

Winter weather arrived early this year — and it caught many Quebec drivers off guard.

Now there’s a scramble to get winter tires installed, but some garages are booked solid well past the Dec. 1 deadline. With more winter weather in the forecast this week, drivers are getting desperate.

Over at Gordon’s Goodyear, the waiting room is packed. Office manager Steven Kelly says the shop has been flooded with calls from drivers hoping to squeeze in before the cutoff.

“We’ll get many calls every day now looking for a spot,” Kelly said. “And we try to accommodate the best we can, and we take it from there.”

Driving without winter tires after Dec. 1 can lead to fines ranging from $200 to $300.

According to CAA Quebec, as many as 40 per cent of Quebec drivers still haven’t had their winter tires installed, and many garages are already booked until mid-December.

“We’re seeing a lot of frustration of people that think, ‘Oh, I’m going to go to the garage and get my tires changed as soon as I get there,’” said Nicolas Ryan of CAA Quebec. “The reality is they’re already full. And, yes, you are late at that moment.”

Ryan said every year, drivers seem to need a reminder about how slippery the roads can get once snow and ice arrive.

“Whenever we get to winter, being safe, so keeping a safe distance and then slowing down wherever you go, whether it’s in small streets or on the highways,” he said.

After this summer’s heat, CAA Quebec also recommends checking your car battery to make sure it’s still in good shape.

Another tip: plan ahead for next year’s tire change.

“Already put a date in your calendar for next year in September,” Ryan said. “Just to call ahead and have your appointment ready for mid-November or whenever the time suits you.”

It’s a small step that could save you from a stressful, last-minute scramble when winter weather inevitably hits again.