Winter tires for the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: sizes, symbols and what to ask

The Outlander PHEV's all-wheel drive helps you get moving in snow. Tires are what help you turn and stop. Here's what to know before you buy a winter set for a 2026 Outlander PHEV in northern Alberta.

Which size does your trim use?

Mitsubishi Canada's 2026 Outlander PHEV specifications list two factory tire sizes, both all-season:

Trims	Factory tire size	Wheel
ES, SE, LE	P235/60R18	18-inch
SEL, GT, GT Premium, NOIR	P255/45R20	20-inch

Always confirm with the tire placard on your driver's door jamb, which also gives the recommended cold tire pressures. If you have 20-inch wheels, ask the tire shop whether a smaller winter wheel and tire package is approved for your vehicle. Don't guess: the size has to suit the vehicle's brakes, load and electronics.

Does Alberta require winter tires?

No. Alberta Transportation's winter tire information says the province doesn't make winter tires mandatory. But it recommends driving in severe winter conditions on four winter or all-weather tires for better traction and control. Four, not two: mixing tires front and rear can make a vehicle harder to control.

Winter, all-weather or all-season?

• Winter tires carry the peaked mountain with a snowflake symbol, meaning they meet specific snow traction requirements. Alberta notes that the latest winter tires stay elastic at temperatures approaching −30°C.
• All-weather tires also carry the mountain/snowflake symbol, but are designed to stay on year-round. Alberta calls them the closest thing to a Canadian "all-season" tire.
• All-season tires (often marked M+S) are what the PHEV comes with. Alberta notes their rubber may start to harden and lose grip below 7°C. M+S on its own doesn't make a tire a winter tire.

Studs and chains

According to Alberta Transportation, neither the province nor municipalities specifically prohibit studded tires or chains. But damaging the roadway is an offence under the Highways Development and Protection Act. Several other jurisdictions do restrict studs, so check before you drive somewhere else with them. If you're considering studs or chains, check your owner's manual first for what Mitsubishi allows on your vehicle.

No spare: plan for it

The 2026 Outlander PHEV comes with a tire repair kit rather than a spare (Mitsubishi Canada). A repair kit can't fix a sidewall cut or a blowout. For long winter drives between towns, keep the kit where you can reach it, carry a winter emergency kit and a charged phone, and know where your roadside assistance coverage applies.

Questions to ask before you buy a winter set

1. Is the tire marked with the mountain/snowflake symbol?
2. Is the size right for my trim and approved for my vehicle?
3. Am I buying tires only, or a set of wheels and tires? A separate set of wheels makes each changeover quicker.
4. Will my tire pressure monitoring system work with the new wheels, or do they need sensors?
5. When should I switch? Alberta's 7°C note is a useful rule of thumb.

For more on driving a plug-in hybrid through a northern winter, read our Outlander PHEV winter guide, and for how S-AWC compares with other systems, see AWD vs 4WD vs 4x4.