Does BF Goodrich Make a Dedicated Winter Tire?

Yes. The Winter T/A KSI is the only dedicated tire on BFGoodrich Canada's winter page, offered in 32 sizes from 14 to 17 inches for cars and small SUVs. Among BFGoodrich winter tires, it's the one built purely for cold weather. Larger trucks usually go with the KO3.

What Replaced the Winter Slalom KSI?

The Winter T/A KSI replaced the Winter Slalom KSI in September 2017, in what BFG calls the Tier 2, mid-priced winter segment. BFGoodrich designed it to grip better in snow, slush and ice, and to stay quiet on clear pavement. The Slalom KSI is the tire in the 2016 RAV4 demonstration, so read those numbers as a guide to winter rubber generally.

Are KO3 Tires Good in Snow?

Yes. The KO3 carries the 3PMSF rating, so it passed a standardized snow traction test, and BFGoodrich says it suits winter driving in snow and ice. It gives pickup and SUV owners confidence without a seasonal swap. Drivers facing glare ice every week still get more from a dedicated winter tire like the Winter T/A KSI.

Are BF Goodrich All-Terrain Tires Legal as Winter Tires in Quebec?

Yes, if they carry the snowflake. Since December 15, 2014, Quebec's Highway Safety Code counts only 3PMSF and studded tires as winter tires. The KO3, KO2 and both Trail-Terrain models carry it, so they satisfy the December 1 to March 15 rule.

Can You Put BF Goodrich Snow Tires on a Jeep Wrangler?

Yes, but size decides which. The Winter T/A KSI tops out at 17 inches, so most Wrangler owners fit a 3PMSF all-terrain like the KO3 or KO2. Our 2016 Wrangler drive on KO2s crossed ice, slush and mud with one stuck moment across seven Jeeps.

What's the Difference Between M+S and 3PMSF Tires?

3PMSF means the tire passed a snow traction test. M+S is a mud-and-snow tread marking found on most all-season tires. Quebec accepts only 3PMSF or studded tires. British Columbia accepts both on designated highways with at least 3.5 mm of tread.

Is the Trail-Terrain T/A Safe on Icy Roads?

It's winter legal, but it isn't an ice tire. BFGoodrich's footnote says the Trail-Terrain T/A isn't designed for icy extremes and recommends four winter tires for them. On slippery commutes, the Winter T/A KSI gives more margin.

What Warranty Comes With BF Goodrich Tires?

Every BFGoodrich tire has a limited warranty covering workmanship and materials for the original usable tread or 6 years, whichever comes first. Treadwear warranties vary: 80,000 km on the KO3 and KO2, 100,000 km on the Trail-Terrain T/A, none listed on the Winter T/A KSI.

Do Winter-Approved Tires Really Cut Stopping Distance?

In the 2016 BFGoodrich demonstration we drove, yes. Winter tires stopped about 10% shorter than all-seasons across six stops on snow and ice, and 17% shorter uphill. One stop went the other way, so trust the average over any single run.

When Should You Install Snow Tires in Canada?

Install them once temperatures settle below 7°C, where the SAAQ says all-season rubber hardens. Quebec's deadline is December 1, and B.C.'s highway rule starts October 1. For the timing debate, see when to put on winter tires.

BF Goodrich Winter Tires Compared: Winter T/A KSI vs. All-Terrains

Jacob Black

2026-10-21 · 8 min read

BF Goodrich Winter Tires Compared: Winter T/A KSI vs. All-Terrains

Yes. You need winter tires.

Editorial 01 jb bf goodrich tire comparison

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BFGoodrich sells one dedicated winter tire in Canada, the Winter T/A KSI, which replaced the Winter Slalom KSI. Four BFGoodrich all-terrain tires also carry the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol: the KO3, KO2, Trail-Terrain T/A and Trail-Terrain T/A+. The KSI suits cars and crossovers that face ice. The all-terrains suit pickups and SUVs that want one set of tires all year.

Key Takeaways

The Winter T/A KSI is the only dedicated BFGoodrich winter tire in Canada, offered in 32 sizes from 14 to 17 inches.
Four BFGoodrich all-terrain tires carry the 3PMSF symbol, so they count as winter tires under Quebec law.
BFGoodrich says the Trail-Terrain T/A isn't designed for ice and recommends four winter tires for those conditions.
In a 2016 BFGoodrich demonstration we drove, winter tires stopped about 10% shorter than all-seasons on snow and ice, and 17% shorter on the second stop.
Pick the KSI for icy commutes. Pick a 3PMSF all-terrain if you drive a truck and want to skip the seasonal swap.

Tire	Rating	Built for	Treadwear warranty	Watch-out
Winter T/A KSI	Winter (3PMSF)	Cars, crossovers	None listed	Second set, storage
All-Terrain T/A KO3	All-weather (3PMSF)	SUVs, pickups	80,000 km	Off-road tread
All-Terrain T/A KO2	All-weather (3PMSF)	Pickups, SUVs	80,000 km	Older design
Trail-Terrain T/A	All-weather (3PMSF)	Crossovers, SUVs	100,000 km	Not for ice
Trail-Terrain T/A+	All-weather (3PMSF)	Crossovers, pickups	80,000 or 105,000 km	Newest model, limited track record

Specs from BFGoodrich Canada, accessed September 23, 2026. We left out the Advantage Control, an all-season without the snowflake, and the Mud-Terrain T/A KM3.

What Makes True Winter Tires Different?

True winter tires use a softer rubber compound and a tread that holds snow. The SAAQ puts the tipping point at 7°C, where all-season rubber hardens and loses grip. Winter rubber stays flexible in cold temperatures down to minus 40°C. That matters on cold, dry pavement too.

The Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) Symbol vs. M+S

The Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol means a tire passed a standardized snow traction test, which BFGoodrich calls a Severe Snow rating. M+S is a mud-and-snow tread marking found on most all-season tires, and B.C. calls it the minimum legal standard.

Quebec counts only 3PMSF and studded tires as winter tires. British Columbia accepts either symbol. Our guide to all-season, all-weather and winter tires explained goes deeper.

Winter Tire Requirement in Quebec and British Columbia

Two provinces set rules. Ontario and most other Canadian provinces leave it to you.

Quebec: vehicles registered in the province need four winter tires from December 1 to March 15 inclusive, or face a $200 to $300 fine plus costs, per the SAAQ's winter preparation page.
British Columbia: winter tires or chains are required on most designated B.C. highways from October 1 to April 30, some ending March 31. The province's passenger vehicle tire rules require M+S or 3PMSF and 3.5 mm of tread depth.

The four all-terrains in our table carry 3PMSF, so they meet both rules. Still, check your own sidewall. More on B.C.'s winter tire rules.

BFGoodrich Snow Tires Compared: The 2026-27 Lineup

BFGoodrich winter tires come in two camps. The Michelin-owned brand builds one tire only for winter and four all-terrains with the snowflake.

Winter T/A KSI: The Dedicated BFGoodrich Winter Tire

The Winter T/A KSI is where most car and crossover owners should start. BFGoodrich builds it on a high-density silica compound that stays flexible in sub-zero weather, with a directional tread design that pushes slush away.

Maximum sipe density adds biting edges for ice braking. Saw-toothed grooves bite snowy roads, and a serrated shoulder digs out of ruts. It comes in 32 sizes from 14 to 17 inches. BFGoodrich backs it with a 6-year limited warranty and a 60-day guarantee, but no kilometre treadwear warranty.

All-Terrain T/A KO3 and KO2: Winter-Rated Off-Road Tires

The All-Terrain T/A KO3 is the all-terrain tire that succeeds the KO2, aimed at CUVs, SUVs and pickups. It's Severe Snow rated. A new tread pattern and compound give it durability on gravel, and full-depth 3D locking sipes help it wear evenly. Warranty: 80,000 km.

The KO2 stays on sale with the same warranty. Its CoreGard sidewalls borrow from the Baja T/A KR2 race tire, and in BFGoodrich's testing they're 20% tougher than the original KO. Unsure about 4WD truck construction? See tires built for pickup trucks and SUVs.

Trail-Terrain T/A and T/A+: All-Weather Tires for Crossovers

The Trail-Terrain T/A is the road-biased option for crossovers. It carries a 100,000 km warranty, and its 3D sipes keep the tread blocks stable and quiet on pavement. The Trail-Terrain T/A+ adds a new all-weather compound with more wet traction, backed by 80,000 or 105,000 km depending on the tire.

Here's the catch. BFGoodrich's own footnote says the Trail-Terrain T/A isn't designed for extreme winter conditions like ice, and recommends four winter tires for them.

BFGoodrich's own fine print says the Trail-Terrain T/A isn't an ice tire.

Browse Used Pickups and SUVs Built for Winter Driving

Already sold on an all-terrain setup? Filter by model year and trim to find the truck that fits it.

Browse Used Pickups and SUVs

Dedicated Winter Tires or One Set of Tires Year-Round?

This is the real decision. Dedicated tires, one set per season, win on ice. One set of 3PMSF tires wins on convenience. Your daily commute decides which matters more.

When a Dedicated Set Wins: Grip on Ice and Deep Snow

Choose a dedicated set for icy commutes and unplowed side streets. BFGoodrich rates the KO3 for snow and ice too, but for maximum ice traction only the Winter T/A KSI is built for winter alone. AWD or 2WD, the math doesn't change. It helps you accelerate, but braking and handling still depend on tire grip. That's why AWD doesn't replace winter tires.

When All-Weather Tires Make Sense: Skip the Seasonal Swap

A 3PMSF all-terrain fits if you drive a pickup, see more slush than glare ice and hate tire-swapping. Ask four questions first:

Do you drive on icy roads most winter weeks?
Does your vehicle take a size the KO3 or Trail-Terrain T/A is made in?
Do you have space for tire storage, or would you pay for it?
Will you accept more road noise and fuel consumption than a highway tire?

Mostly convenience answers? One set is reasonable. See whether all-weather tires are enough.

Read Our Tire Storage Guide Before Swap Season

Two sets means somewhere to keep one. Here's how to store winter tires so they last.

Read the Tire Storage Guide

The 2016 Test Drive: Stopping Distance on Winter-Rated BFGoodrich Tires

Are winter tires really important? Yes. Do they actually help you in winter? Yes. "Yeah but I have all-wheel-drive!" Doesn't matter. Winter tires are better. Period.

BFGoodrich invited us to Maine in 2016 for two closed-course demonstrations of its own products: road cars on winter tires, and Jeep Wranglers on KO2 all-terrains. The first told regular drivers the most.

Winter Tire vs. All-Season in a RAV4

The cars were two very old RAV4s. One wore BFGoodrich's regular all-season tire. The other wore its winter tire at the time, the Winter Slalom KSI, since replaced by the Winter T/A KSI. The course was simple: accelerate to 60 km/h on snow and light ice, brake hard in a straight line, then wind through curves and up a steep hill.

On winter tires the little RAV4 pulled up to speed like it was on dry pavement and stopped without a wiggle. On all-seasons? "Woah!" It scrabbled off the line, slid under braking and had to be manhandled up the hill.

An accelerometer and GPS measured every stopping distance: three drivers, two stops each.

Average stopping distance	All-season	Winter	Winter vs. all-season
Stop 1 (downhill)	27.8 m (91.2 ft)	26.9 m (88.3 ft)	3% shorter
Stop 2 (uphill)	23.6 m (77.3 ft)	19.5 m (64.0 ft)	17% shorter
Both stops	25.7 m (84.3 ft)	23.2 m (76.2 ft)	About 10% shorter

The biggest gap was 7.7 m (25 ft). One stop went the other way: driver two's first winter run was 3.7 m longer on a sloped course. I also blew one all-season stop by wavering on the pedal. Compare winter tires against all-seasons, new and used.

PS: Buy winter tires.

I Am an Off-Road Warrior: KO2 Tires in a Jeep Wrangler

Round two was more fun than education. A fleet of Jeep Wranglers on KO2s tackled cottage back roads, thick ice and snow over mud. The instructors made us stop on slopes and creep through mud. Every time, the sipes and shoulders clawed us forward. Overlanding types, take note.

We got stuck once, breaking through ice into a foot of mud and slush. One gentle tug freed us. The six Jeeps behind us had no issues. Nature is beautiful, when you can get to it.

Jacob Black

Jacob is a writer and a journalist who enjoys cars, driving and jokes. Sometimes he writes a series of jokes and loosely connects them to a car he was driving. Jacob Black is not a werewolf.