What Are Your Winter Tire Options on the Volvo XC90?

If you drive an XC90 in Metro Vancouver, winter can mean cold rain in the city and snow on the way to Squamish, Whistler, or the Coquihalla. Below is a simple guide to help you pick the right XC90 winter setup, stay legal in BC, and keep day-to-day driving calm when the temperature drops.

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 for better traction in snow and on ice. Dates and routes vary by region. Government of British Columbia+2Government of British Columbia+2

• When: Most signed routes require winter tires from Oct 1 to Apr 30. Some South Coast routes end Mar 31. Expect checks and turn-backs if you are not compliant. Government of British Columbia

• Good to know: 3PMSF winter and all-weather tires meet the BC standard. Summer-only tires are not permitted on signed routes. Government of British Columbia

XC90 tire types to consider

A. Dedicated winter tires (3PMSF)
Best grip in cold, slush, hard-pack, and ice. Volvo explicitly recommends winter tires on all four wheels when there is a risk of snow or ice. volvocars.com+1

B. All-weather tires (3PMSF)
A year-round option that meets BC’s winter symbol requirement, with a trade-off in deep-winter performance versus true winters. The BC government still recommends 3PMSF winter tires for frequent highway travel in winter. Government of British Columbia

C. Studded winter tires
Allowed on BC highways Oct 1 to Apr 30, with limits on stud protrusion and matching front and rear. Consider them only if you regularly drive on hard-packed snow or ice. Government of British Columbia

Wheel size and downsizing for winter

Many XC90 trims run large wheels in summer. For winter, it is common to downsize to a smaller wheel with a narrower tire for better bite and more sidewall.

• Typical XC90 OE fitments include 18, 19, 20 and 21-inch wheels, depending on trim and market. Volvo Canada notes that some 22-inch wheels shown in global imagery are not available in Canada. Always verify your exact size on the driver’s door jamb or with your VIN. Wheel Size+1

• Volvo’s support articles emphasize using winter tires on all four wheels and selecting approved sizes for your brakes and bodywork. Some combinations have restrictions. volvocars.com+1

Common winter approach

• If your XC90 has 20 or 21-inch wheels, many owners step down to 19-inch for winter to gain sidewall and reduce cost, then choose an approved winter size that matches your brake package. Verify the size and load rating before ordering. Wheel Size

What about snow chains?

Chains can help in rare emergencies, but Volvo publishes strict guidance:

• Use Volvo genuine chains or equivalent, sized for your exact wheel and tire.

• Volvo advises chains only on the front wheels for AWD models.

• Volvo support warns chains may not be recommended on wheels larger than 19 or 20 inches depending on model year and market. Always check your owner’s manual. Volvo Support+2volvocars.com+2

If you frequently encounter chain-control conditions, consider a narrower winter setup that allows approved traction devices, or plan routes to avoid chain-enforced passes.

TPMS and changeover: quick steps

When you swap wheels or adjust pressures, store the new pressures so the system learns your winter set:

1. Start the vehicle

2. Open Car Status on the center display

3. Tap Store pressure and confirm, then drive above 35 km/h until the system completes saving. If it fails, recheck cold pressures and try again. Volvo Support+2volvocars.com+2

6) Quick picks for Metro Vancouver driving

• City and Sea-to-Sky mix: Prioritize a quality 3PMSF winter on a wheel one size smaller than summer.

• Mostly urban with occasional hills: All-weather 3PMSF can work year-round if you avoid high passes in storms, but dedicated winters still give the best margin of safety.

• Frequent alpine trips or early-morning commutes: Choose a top-tier studless winter and watch tread depth. Replace near 4 mm to maintain winter grip. BC’s minimum for legal winter tires on signed routes is 3.5 mm. Government of British Columbia

7) What sizes fit my XC90 for winter?

Use this starting point, then confirm on your door jamb label and with our parts team:

• 18–19 inch winter packages: Common for many XC90 trims and often recommended for winter comfort and grip.

• 20–21 inch: Possible, yet tire choice narrows and chains are often not advised.

• 22-inch: Not offered in Canada on the XC90 according to Volvo Canada notes. volvocars.com

Reference databases can help you compare OE sizes for your year and trim. Always verify with Volvo before purchasing. Wheel Size

Local FAQ

Do I need winter tires to drive from Burnaby to Whistler?
On signed routes like the Sea-to-Sky (Hwy 99), you need M+S or 3PMSF with at least 3.5 mm tread during the winter tire period. 3PMSF is recommended for real winter conditions. Government of British Columbia+1

Are all-weather tires legal for these routes?
Yes if they carry the 3PMSF symbol and meet tread depth. Performance can still lag behind true winter tires in severe cold. Government of British Columbia

Can I run chains with 20 or 21 inch wheels?
Volvo’s guidance varies by year and market, and generally does not recommend chains above certain wheel sizes. Use Volvo-approved chains only where permitted, and consult your owner’s manual first. volvocars.com+1

Should I buy a second set of wheels for winter?
A dedicated winter wheel set makes changeovers quicker, reduces wear on your summer rims, and often lets you downsize for more sidewall and better winter performance. Verify brake clearance, offset, and load rating before purchasing. Wheel Size

Helpful links

• Volvo support: XC90 winter tire guidance and four-wheel fitment reminder. volvocars.com+1

• BC Government: Winter tire laws, dates, and maps. Government of British Columbia+1

• Volvo Canada: XC90 Canada page with wheel availability note. volvocars.com

• Reference database: XC90 wheel and tire sizes by year and trim. Wheel Size

• Volvo support: TPMS Store Pressure instructions. Volvo Support

Footnotes and Sources

[1] BC Government — What is a legal winter tire in BC, 3.5 mm tread, symbols, and guidance
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/driving-and-cycling/traveller-information/seasonal/winter-driving/about-winter-tires Government of British Columbia

[2] BC Government — Designated Winter Tire and Chain-up Routes and dates
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

[3] BC Government PDF handout — 3.5 mm tread rule and recommendation for 3PMSF
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/driving-and-transportation/driving/winter/pdfs/wintertiresinbc_handout.pdf Government of British Columbia

[4] Volvo Support — XC90 winter tires and four-wheel fitment guidance
https://www.volvocars.com/en-ca/support/car/xc90/article/47d2c97fd33effd3c0a8cc3718c999b7-14ceba42d406472dc0a8cc37031f7e87-8664b2fa77a7e089c0a8296870d1a409/ volvocars.com

[5] Volvo Support — Tires and Volvo’s recommendation for winter tires on all four wheels
https://www.volvocars.com/en-ca/support/car/xc90/22w22/article/73e14f8cc7f8d151c0a81f6f7932e5d8_3d3742c89c7a29c6c0a8015159f94937/ volvocars.com

[6] Volvo Canada — XC90 Canada page noting 22-inch wheel availability differences
https://www.volvocars.com/en-ca/cars/xc90-hybrid/ volvocars.com

[7] Wheel-Size DB — XC90 2026 fitment overview for quick reference. Always verify on the door placard and with a retailer
https://www.wheel-size.com/size/volvo/xc90/2026/ Wheel Size

[8] Volvo Customer Care — TPMS Store Pressure steps
https://volvo.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/10446/~/how-to-reset-the-tire-pressure-monitoring-system-%28tpms%29 Volvo Support

[9] Volvo Support — Snow chains guidance and size cautions
https://www.volvocars.com/mt/support/car/xc90/18w17/article/3c71324d939bf2c7c0a801516caec6b7/ volvocars.com
https://www.volvocars.com/en-eg/support/car/xc90/article/c1772633d3b95aacc0a8cc37250ab5bd-94609d05d3b89b6dc0a8cc3745ab95b3-8664b2fa77a7e089c0a8296870d1a409/ volvocars.com
https://volvo.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9360/~/snow-chains Volvo Support

Notes: Tire sizes, chain limits, and wheel availability vary by model year and brake package. Always confirm the exact size, load index, and approved fitment on your driver’s door jamb and with our Volvo parts team before purchasing.