There seems to be some confusion between a tire marked "M+S" and a tire marked with the snowflake in the mountain symbol, representing a winter tire meeting snow traction performance requirements.
The OP is in Vancouver, and has discussed km and degrees C, so let's assume it is Vancouver BC, and not Vancouver Washington. The relevant authorities are the BC Ministry of Highways, and ICBC, our beloved sole provider of motor vehicle insurance. Also important is Transport Canada, the federal authority who recognize the snowflake symbol.
An M+S tire is not a winter tire. It can be an all season tire, but snow traction does not equal cold weather traction. Given the temperatures in Vancouver, the OP is much more likely to have problems with icy roads, and freeze-thaw conditions, than with deep snow. Simply put, an M+S tire won't help in those conditions, and may be worse than a different summer tire, depending on the tread compound. You can be deemed at fault by ICBC for having summer tires in slippery conditions, whether or not there is snow on the ground.
The BC Ministry of Transportation states
Quote:
For the purpose of this section, “winter tire” means a tire that is(a) advertised or represented by its manufacturer or a person in the business of selling tires to be a tire intended principally for winter use, and that provides, or is designed to provide, adequate traction in snow or mud; and
(b) in the condition respecting tread wear and other particulars the regulations prescribe.
(2) The Minister of Transportation and Highways may, by public notice or by placing signs, prohibit vehicles from being driven or operated on a highway that are not equipped with chains, winter tires or sanding devices, or a combination of these the minister considers adequate and necessary in view of prevailing road conditions.
(3) For the purposes of a prosecution under this section, the onus is on the defendant to prove that a tire alleged not to be a winter tire is in fact a winter tire.
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Frequently Asked Questions
It is that last part that gets you. Your summer tires with an M+S tread are not primarily winter tires, they are summer tires with deep tread.
Your insurance won't be invalid, but you can be deemed to have partial or full responsibility for an accident. You can also be ticketed for causing any traffic blockage. You can be prevented from accessing a road in winter conditions, ie the Hope Princeton highway.
Short form: If you are going to buy winter tires, at least buy ones with a snowflake symbol. Otherwise, realize that they are just summer tires.