I hear the same question every autumn
As soon as the temperature hits 4 or 5 degrees at night, my phone starts ringing for the same reasons: “Can I include winter tires in my car financing?” or “I found the vehicle, but I don’t have an extra $1,400 lying around for tires, what should I do?”
My short answer? Yes, you can often finance your winter tires with a car loan at Prêt Auto Québec. But is it always a good idea? Not necessarily.
After more than 12 years of putting together financing files at Prêt Auto Québec, I can tell you one thing: the right answer depends less on the tires and more on your credit situation, the loan term, the vehicle you are buying, and, above all, your monthly wiggle room. A good financing deal isn’t just about “getting approved.” It’s about avoiding paying $2,000 for a set of tires that originally cost $1,200.
And in Quebec, we aren't talking theory. From December 1st to March 15th, winter tires are mandatory on passenger vehicles registered here. The SAAQ and the Highway Safety Code leave no room for improvisation. If you live in Quebec City, Saguenay, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières, or even in some of the hillier sectors of Laval or the South Shore, waiting until the last minute isn't just stressful—it can be expensive.
What it really costs in 2026
I’m going to give you concrete numbers, because that’s where many people get it wrong.
For a compact or intermediate vehicle, a complete set of winter tires in Quebec generally costs:
- Tires only: between $700 and $1,200
- With steel rims: often $1,000 to $1,600
- With TPMS sensors, installation, balancing, and taxes: easily $1,300 to $1,900
If you drive an SUV, a pickup truck, or an electric vehicle, the price rises quickly:
- Compact SUV: $1,300 to $2,000
- Pickup / Large SUV: $1,600 to $2,400
- Electric vehicle with low rolling resistance tires or specific sizes: sometimes $1,800 to $2,600
And that’s before talking about seasonal storage, which often runs around $80 to $150 per season depending on the region, or bi-annual installation costing $60 to $120.
When a client tells me, “I’ll pay for them later,” I understand. With the current cost of living in Quebec—rent, groceries, gas, insurance, childcare—dropping $1,500 all at once isn't realistic for everyone.
So, should you finance them with your car loan?
Yes, it is possible for many files. Especially when financing a vehicle at a dealership or through an auto financing broker like our team at Prêt Auto Québec. Winter tires can sometimes be included in the total financed amount, just like certain options, equipment fees, or even an extended vehicle warranty, depending on the lender and the transaction structure.
But let me be direct: I recommend financing tires only if it solves a real liquidity problem without unnecessarily extending your debt.
In other words, if financing your tires allows you to buy a safe vehicle now without emptying your emergency fund, it is defensible. If it’s just to “hurt less” today by pushing the bill over 72 or 84 months, that’s starting to become a bad habit.
The trap I see too often
Winter tires last on average 3 to 5 seasons, sometimes longer if you don’t drive much and your alignment is correct. Your car loan, however, can last 60, 72, or even 84 months.
What does that mean? That you could still be paying for your tires long after they have worn out.
That’s where my personal opinion comes into play: if you add winter tires to your car loan, try not to stretch them out over the entire duration of the financing in your mind. At the very least, make extra payments or choose a shorter term if your budget allows.
A monthly payment example, no fluff
Let’s take a simple case.
You add $1,500 for winter tires and accessories to your car loan. Let’s say an interest rate of 8.99% over 60 months. The payment associated with that $1,500 represents about $31 per month, for a total paid of about $1,860.
So your “$1,500” tires actually cost you about $360 in interest.
If that same $1,500 is financed at 12.99% over 72 months, it drops to around $30 per month, but for a total of nearly $2,160. Now we are talking about $660 in interest. And that’s just for tires.
See the trap? The monthly payment looks small. The real cost, however, climbs quickly.
If you want to do this type of simulation before signing, I often tell my clients: play with the numbers before, not after. Our calculator exists exactly for that.
Current market rates in Quebec
Obviously, rates vary depending on your profile, the vehicle, the year, and the lender. But to give you a realistic picture in 2026:
- Excellent to very good credit: often around 6.49% to 8.99%
- Average credit: usually 9.99% to 13.99%
- Difficult file / 2nd or 3rd chance: often 14.99% to 24.99%, sometimes more depending on the risk
I repeat this all week long: the higher the rate, the less it is worth financing accessories that don’t increase in value. At 7%, I can live with the idea of financing tires if it helps the overall file. At 21.99%, no. In that case, I will look for another solution with the client.
And that’s even truer if you are already exploring a 2nd chance credit solution. In that kind of file, every dollar financed must have real utility.
Two real-life situations that summarize the reality
Last autumn, I helped Mélanie, a single mother from Lévis, who needed to replace her old compact car that had become too expensive to repair. Her budget was tight. We found a reliable used small SUV, but it didn’t have winter tires included. She had about $900 saved up, not $1,700. In her case, we included a decent set of winter tires in the financing, and then structured the loan so she could make accelerated payments when she received her tax returns and child benefits. Honestly? It was the right decision. She was driving safely by November, without going into overdraft.
Conversely, I once met Samuel, from the Montreal area, who absolutely wanted a more equipped, more expensive, larger model. He told me: “Add the tires, the warranty, the rustproofing, I just want a small payment.” His file was approved, yes. But in the end, he was paying too much for too many things. I told him no, quite frankly. We looked at a different vehicle, reduced the financed amount, and he bought his tires separately a few weeks later. He called me back later to thank me. That’s the part of the job I love: not just getting approval, but protecting the client from themselves sometimes.
When I say yes, without hesitation
There are cases where financing your winter tires is a good idea. For example:
You are buying a vehicle now and winter is at the door
If you take possession in October or November, I prefer to see the tires included immediately rather than knowing you will stretch things out on worn-out all-seasons while waiting for your next paycheck.
You are keeping a safety cushion
I am a big defender of the small emergency fund. If paying cash for the tires leaves you at zero, it is not always intelligent. A battery, a brake job, an insurance deductible—these things happen fast.
The rate obtained is reasonable
At a competitive rate, the interest paid on the tires can be acceptable if it simplifies the overall purchase.
The dealer or lender offers an advantageous package
Sometimes, we see seasonal promotions, a discount on the set, or a vehicle in the inventory already equipped with a good winter set. That completely changes the calculation.
When I say no
I will be even clearer here.
If your rate is high
From the moment we are dealing with more expensive financing, especially in a fragile file, every financed accessory becomes too expensive for too long.
If you stretch it out over 72 or 84 months just to lower the payment
The payment looks good. The total cost, however, becomes ugly.
If you already have too many “little extras” in the loan
Tires, warranty, miscellaneous fees, accessories, replacement insurance… At some point, the vehicle itself ends up costing much more than expected.
If you are thinking of changing cars soon
If you are selling within 24 months or if you are already looking for how to sell your car in Quebec in the near future, I prefer to limit financed additions. Otherwise, you risk having a balance higher than the actual value of the vehicle.
The calculation I do with my clients
I keep it simple. I ask three questions:
- How much do the tires cost, installed and taxed?
- What will be the exact rate applied to your loan?
- How many months will you remain in the financing?
Then, I compare the total financed cost to the cost of a cash purchase or a credit card payment if it is paid off quickly.
Quick example:
- Tire set: $1,400
- Taxes included: about $1,610 in Quebec depending on fees
- Addition to loan at 9.49% over 60 months
- Additional payment: around $34/month
- Total cost paid: about $2,040
The real gap shows you the truth. Often, just seeing that number is enough to make a better decision.
A small detail that few people look at
If adding tires pushes your financed amount above a psychological or banking threshold, it can also influence acceptance, the required down payment, or the loan-to-value ratio. That is the kind of detail a good auto financing broker sees before it becomes a problem.
Are there better options?
Yes, sometimes.
A client with a good file can finance the tires separately on a short-term promotion, or use a lower-cost line of credit if they pay it back quickly. Others will negotiate a set included in the vehicle transaction. That’s often where I like to intervene: we can sometimes get more by negotiating the overall price rather than just the payment.
I am more wary of peer-to-peer lending to finance expenses like that, unless the conditions are crystal clear and the rate is truly advantageous. I still see people borrowing “quickly” from a friend or third party, without a solid schedule, and it creates tension. Honestly? For tires, keep it simple and transparent.
A word from our expert
My most practical advice: always ask for the price of winter tires BEFORE finalizing your vehicle.
Not after. Before.
Why? Because a vehicle that seems affordable may require a much more expensive tire size than another similar model. I have seen clients save on the monthly payment of the vehicle, then lose that advantage at the first tire change. A small sedan on 16-inch tires and an SUV on 20-inch tires are not the same game at all.
I also advise you to ask for this in black and white:
- the make and model of the tires
- the load rating and size
- if the rims are included
- the installation cost
- the taxes
- storage fees, if applicable
It avoids surprises, and it allows you to compare for real.
What I recommend, in the end
If you were to ask me for my unbiased opinion, here it is:
Financing your winter tires with your car loan in Quebec can be a good idea, but only as a strategic solution, not as a reflex.
I recommend it mainly if:
- you have a reasonable rate;
- you lack liquidity in the short term;
- the purchase is happening just before winter;
- and you plan to keep the vehicle long enough to make it worthwhile.
I advise against it if your rate is high, if your budget is already tight to the point of financing anything and everything, or if you are using a long term to mask a vehicle that is too expensive for you.
At Prêt Auto Québec, this is exactly the kind of discussion we have every day. My team and I can look at your file, your real budget, your vehicle options, and tell you frankly if it’s worth rolling the tires into the financing or not. If you want us to do the math with you, or check your options quickly, make a request. We will answer you quickly—often in a few hours, sometimes the same day—and at least you will have the straight facts.