MPI Winter Tire Program: How GMC and Buick Owners Can Finance Up to $2,000 in Winter Tires

Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) has updated its Winter Tire Program, and the change matters this season. As of October 1, 2026, tires must be marketed solely for winter to qualify for financing.

That means all-weather, all-season, four-season and year-round tires no longer qualify, even when they carry the three-peak mountain and snowflake symbol. If you drive a GMC truck, a GMC SUV or a Buick SUV in Manitoba, here is what the program covers and how to use it.

What Changed on October 1, 2026

The three-peak mountain and snowflake (3PMSF) symbol is still required. It marks tires that pass a severe-snow standard. Starting October 1, 2026, the tire must also be marketed only for winter use.

This rule shuts out all-weather tires. All-weather tires carry the 3PMSF symbol and are built to stay on all year. That year-round design is exactly what keeps them out of the program now.

Dedicated winter tires are the target. They are built for cold, snow and ice, and they come off in spring. If you planned to finance a set of all-weather tires through MPI this year, you will need to choose a dedicated winter tire instead.

Also note that the M+S (mud and snow) marking is a different, less strict standard. A tire with M+S alone does not carry the 3PMSF symbol, so it does not count for this program.

How the Financing Works

The program lets you finance up to $2,000 per vehicle. The interest rate is prime plus 2%, and that rate can change over time. Terms run from one to four years.

Payments come out by automatic monthly withdrawal. That spreads the cost of a full set of winter tires across smaller amounts, which helps when the fall budget is already stretched by back-to-school costs and heating bills.

Who Is Eligible

MPI sets a few clear conditions, and you need to check every box:

• You are an individual MPI customer, not a corporation.
• The vehicle is a passenger vehicle or light truck registered in your name.
• You have no outstanding MPI payments or restrictions.
• The tires show the 3PMSF symbol and are marketed solely for winter.

If your GMC or Buick is registered to a business, check with MPI before you shop, since corporations are not eligible. The vehicle has to be registered in your own name.

What the Loan Covers

The loan reaches well past the tread itself. Eligible costs include:

• Approved winter tires and rims
• Mounting, balancing and alignment
• Tire pressure monitoring systems
• Studding (some limits apply)
• Storage or seasonal switchover, if included in the initial purchase
• Nitrogen fill, valve stems, shop supplies, taxes and fees

Repairs are not covered. Maintenance, storage and switchover are not covered unless they are part of the initial cost. If you want storage or switchover service, add it to the original purchase so it falls under the loan.

A second set of rims is worth a thought. Mounting your winter tires on their own wheels makes each seasonal swap faster, and approved rims are one of the items the loan can cover.

How to Apply in Three Steps

First, choose your tires at a participating retailer. Not every tire shop takes part in the program, so ask if a location is a participating retailer before you pick your set.

Second, bring your driver’s licence and vehicle registration. The retailer uses these to confirm that you are eligible.

Third, the retailer sets up the loan for you. Once it is in place, your payments begin by automatic monthly withdrawal over the term you chose.

Why Winter Tires Matter for GMC and Buick Owners

Plenty of GMC and Buick owners drive with all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. AWD and 4WD help you get moving from a stop. They do not help you stop or turn. Your tires do that work.

Winter tires use rubber compounds that stay flexible in the cold. They also have extra sipes, which are small biting edges in the tread that grip snow and ice. They work best once temperatures stay around or below 7°C.

Always install a set of four matching winter tires. Cold air also lowers tire pressure, so check your pressure monthly in cold weather. Use the placard on the door jamb for the correct number.

In spring, store your winter tires in a cool, dry place out of sunlight. That simple habit helps your set stay ready for the next season.

At a Glance

Program Detail	What to Know
Maximum financing	Up to $2,000 per vehicle
Interest rate	Prime + 2% (the rate can change)
Terms	One to four years, by automatic monthly withdrawal
Tire requirement	3PMSF symbol and marketed solely for winter
October 1, 2026 change	All-weather, all-season, four-season and year-round tires no longer qualify
What to bring	Driver’s licence and vehicle registration

Talk Winter Tires with McNaught Buick GMC

Have questions about the right winter tires for your GMC truck, GMC SUV or Buick SUV? The team at McNaught Buick GMC in Winnipeg is happy to talk through your options. Drop by, tell us how you drive in the cold months, and ask if our location is a participating retailer for the MPI Winter Tire Program.