Is It Time To Change Your Tires For The Winter?
Is It Time To Change Your Tires For The Winter?
Posted on December 4, 2023
As the weather becomes chillier, is it necessary to change to winter tires for the winter season? Are there advantages to making the switch? What are the requirements for a winter tire in Ontario? We’ve found the answers to these questions and more!
Tire-Changing Pros
Using winter tires during the cold months will help with effective traction and grip on wet or snowy road surfaces. The flexible rubber used to construct winter tires can work effectively in cold temperatures. It’s often incorrectly assumed that winter tires are only needed in snowy weather. Winter tires are designed to handle low temperatures, helping boost your car’s performance in cold conditions.
Remember that summer tires aren’t designed for colder weather. The tire tread will harden in colder temperatures, resulting in a lack of elasticity. You’ll probably end up with cracked, unsafe summer tires with ineffective grip.
Ontario Requirements
Ontario residents don’t need to change to winter tires. However, driving with winter tires during the colder months will help to prevent accidents in hazardous conditions. The vast majority of Canadians do make the switch, citing safety as their motivating factor. Ontarians can also look forward to lower insurance premiums.
Changing Time
After temperatures have remained below seven degrees Celsius for seven consecutive days, it’s probably time to change your tires. The vast climate of Ontario can influence when this consistent drop in temperature occurs. Late October to mid-November is usually the tire-changing time.
Remember to install four winter tires in total. This will help to ensure vehicle stability and safety. If only two winter tires are installed on the front axle, it’ll only boost the traction in the front of the vehicle, resulting in oversteering while driving. Understeer will occur if only two winter tires are installed on the rear axle. These types of tire installation should be avoided at all costs.
When the temperatures rise above seven degrees Celcius for seven consecutive days, it’s time to change your winter tires to summer tires. Avoid using winter tires in warmer weather, as this will reduce your tire’s longevity.
Once winter is behind you, ensure your winter tires are stored correctly. A thorough wash and brush are important before storing occurs. An ideal storage spot is a cool, dry area such as a garage or basement. Tires should never be stored outside or near a furnace or water pump. Cover each tire with garbage storage bags, and remember to stack rimless tires horizontally, on top of each other. Tires with rims should be stored vertically. Reposition the tires monthly.
Here at the Olschewski Group in Ontario, we work ‘tire’lessly to assist our customers. Visit us for all your tire-related needs today!