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When Should You Look For A Winter Tire Changeover?

Winter is close, days are shorter, and your car starts to feel like a refrigerator when you turn it on in the morning. And while you can bear the cold in your car, no matter how freezing the temperatures are, you can’t say the same about your car tires. Your vehicle’s tires can suffer multiple issues in the winter, especially if they are not winter tires.

Winter tires are four pieces of rubber that not only give you peace of mind but also much-needed grip and stability on those snowy, icy roads. Winter tires outperform massively all-weather ones when temperatures drop below 7 degrees Celsius.

But does that mean you only have to change tires when the temperature goes below 7 degrees?

Well, yes and no. Knowing when to change over to winter tires depends on various factors, including temperature and provincial regulations. So depending on where you live in Canada, the limit temperature might be lower or higher, but if you are unsure about it, sticking to the 7 degrees Celsius rule is always a good idea.

When Should You Take Winter Tires Off?

Driving on winter tires when temperatures rise can be extremely dangerous. They are designed to perform best on ice and snow, not when the asphalt is hot from the sun. Not only is it hazardous, but it will also cost you more money because winter tires degrade faster and are generally pricier. Therefore, we strongly recommend you change them back whenever temperatures rise.

How Do I Know Whether My Winter Tires Are Certified?

According to Transport Canada, each of your winter tires should have a 3-peaked mountain/snowflake logo. This symbol indicates that the tire is certified to meet specific performance criteria in snow testing and should provide enough snow traction that’s better than all-season mud and snow tires. You should see this symbol on the side of the winter tires.

Where Are Winter Tires Mandatory In Canada?

While winter tires are recommended and encouraged for all Canadian drivers, there are only two provinces where winter tires are mandatory by law: Quebec and British Columbia. Quebec is on the list because winter comes earlier, and temperatures in Quebec can drop extremely low. British Columbia, on the other hand, is on the list because it is a region with many mountain peaks, so winter tires are mandatory, especially if you drive through mountain highways.

How To Perform A Winter Tire Changeover?

You could try it by yourself, but without the proper equipment, it would be difficult, and you risk doing a poor job and risking your safety in the process.

Your best bet would be to work with professionals in the industry, like Trail Tire Auto Centres Downtown, who has been in the business for decades.

We also offers other services if you want a complete check-up on your vehicles, such as tire rotation, vehicle diagnostics, and battery changes.  Call us now if you want to have your winter tire changeover done near you by professionals.