What Are Your Winter Tire Options on the 2025 Nissan Kicks?
September 27 2025,
If you drive a 2025 Nissan Kicks in Metro Vancouver, winter usually means wet city streets and the occasional snowy run up Highway 99. Below is a simple plan to keep your Kicks legal, safe, and easy to live with from October through spring.
1) What counts as a legal winter tire in BC?
On signed BC highways, you need M+S or 3-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) tires with at least 3.5 mm tread during the winter tire period. The province recommends 3PMSF tires for better traction in snow and on ice. Dates and routes vary by region.
Season: Most routes require winter tires from Oct 1 to Apr 30. Some South Coast routes end Mar 31. You can be turned back or fined if you are not compliant.
2) Your 2025 Kicks wheel and tire sizes
The redesigned 2025 Kicks offers multiple factory wheel sizes, which influence your winter choices:
16 inch: 215/65R16
17 inch: 215/60R17
19 inch: 225/45R19 on upper SR models and packages
Confirm your exact size on the driver’s door placard or your build sheet.
Why this matters: winter buyers often downsize for more sidewall and better bite. For example, if you have 19-inch summers, many drivers move to an approved 17-inch winter package. Always confirm brake clearance and approved sizes before purchasing.
3) Which tire type should you pick?
A) Dedicated winter tires (3PMSF)
Best overall grip in cold, slush, hard-pack, and ice. Meets BC’s requirement and is the safest choice for frequent Sea-to-Sky travel.
B) All-weather tires (3PMSF)
A year-round option that still carries the 3PMSF mountain-snowflake. Good for mostly urban use with occasional winter trips, though not as capable as true winters in severe cold.
C) Studded winter tires
Legal on BC highways Oct 1 to Apr 30 with limits. Studs must not protrude more than 2 mm and must be installed on both axles if used. Consider only if you regularly drive on packed snow or ice.
Government of British Columbia
4) Chains on a Kicks: what Nissan says
If you need chains in an emergency, follow the owner’s manual precisely:
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Use SAE Class S chains sized for your exact tire.
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Install on the front wheels only on Kicks.
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Drive slowly and avoid fully loading the vehicle.
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Some sizes and clearances may prohibit chain use. Always check your manual before buying.
5) TPMS and seasonal changeover: quick steps
After you set cold pressures to the placard values, the Kicks TPMS turns the warning light off after you drive above 25 km/h. If the light stays on, recheck pressures and look for leaks. The display can show individual tire pressures on equipped trims.
Tip: Temperatures drop, pressures drop. Expect the light on cold mornings. Add air to the placard spec, not to the warmed-up reading after driving.
6) Burnaby-friendly winter setups
Mostly Metro Vancouver with occasional Whistler trips: Choose a quality 3PMSF winter on 17-inch wheels if your Kicks came with 19s. You gain sidewall, grip, and choice.
Urban driving with rare highway passes: All-weather 3PMSF can work year-round if you avoid storm days. BC still advises 3PMSF winter tires for true winter travel.
Frequent alpine commutes: Go with a top-tier studless winter and keep tread well above 3.5 mm for best braking and traction on cold pavement.
7) Does AWD change my tire choice?
The 2025 Kicks offers available Intelligent AWD for the first time. AWD helps you get moving, but braking and turning still depend on tires, so pick 3PMSF winters if you plan regular trips beyond the Lower Mainland.
Local FAQ
Do I need winter tires to drive from Burnaby to Whistler?
Yes. On the signed Sea-to-Sky sections, you need M+S or 3PMSF with 3.5 mm tread during the winter period. 3PMSF is recommended for grip.
Can I run all-weather tires legally on these routes?
Yes, if they carry the 3PMSF symbol and meet the tread depth rule. Performance in severe cold still trails a dedicated winter tire.
What winter sizes fit the Kicks?
Factory options include 215/65R16, 215/60R17, and 225/45R19, depending on trim. Many winter shoppers with 19s step down to 215/60R17 for more sidewall. Confirm your VIN and placard first.
Are chains allowed in BC if I already have winters?
Chains are permitted where posted but your manual has strict limits for chain type and fitment. Many Kicks owners rely on 3PMSF winters instead of chains for day-to-day travel.
Footnotes and Sources
[1] BC Government — Winter tire law and designated routes, tread depth, dates.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/traveller-information/seasonal/winter-driving/about-winter-tires Government of British Columbia
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/traveller-information/seasonal/winter-driving/winter-tire-and-chain-up-routes Government of British Columbia
[2] Nissan Canada Newsroom — 2025 Kicks press kit confirming first-ever AWD.
https://canada.nissannews.com/en-CA/releases/2025-nissan-kicks-press-kit Nissan News Canada
[3] Nissan Canada — 2025 Kicks overview and specs landing.
https://www.nissan.ca/vehicles/crossovers-suvs/kicks.html Nissan
https://www.nissan.ca/vehicles/crossovers-suvs/kicks/specs.html Nissan
[4] Tire manufacturer and fitment database — 2025 Kicks tire sizes by trim and OE fitments.
https://www.goodyear.com/en_US/vehicles/Nissan/Kicks/2025 Goodyear
https://www.wheel-size.com/size/nissan/kicks/2025/ Wheel Size
[5] Owner’s Manual PDF — 2025 Kicks, chains and TPMS operation.
https://cdn.dealereprocess.org/cdn/servicemanuals/nissan/2025-kicks.pdf Dealer eProcess+1
Notes: Sizes, chain restrictions, and clearances vary by trim and brake package. Always confirm the exact size, load index, and approved fitment on your door placard and with our parts team before ordering.
