Spring is here, and we can finally have our car windows down as we drive. But before you start planning for your next camping trip, it is wise to remove your winter tires in readiness for the warm weather. As a rule of thumb, the best time to change your set of winter tires is when the temperature outside remains 7 degrees Celsius or higher.

What is a Spring Tire Changeover?

Your winter tires provide ample traction and grip for icy and slippery winter roads. Their treads are made from a unique rubber compound that is adaptable to driving during cold weather and snowfall. Using winter tires during warmer temperatures leads to reduced performance and faster tread wear.

Tire changeover involves removing and replacing a tire with another on the same rim (wheel). This is quite different from a tire swap which involves changing both the rims and tires on your car. It typically involves two sets of wheels and two sets of tires. Here are some tips to guide you through the changeover process.

Inspect your Tires Tread Depth

If you have stored your summer tires at home, you should have their tread pattern inspected before installing them. You can use a tread gauge to DIY and check how much tire tread is left on your season tires.

Alternatively, you can store your tires with TreadNation. This way, you can enjoy the convenience of having a tire dealer inspect the tread depths for you and even help you change a tire. You can also request a quick step-by-step guide on how to check your car’s tread depth.

Confirm the Age of your Tires

Usually, tires become prone to dry rotting once they hit six years. In fact, by law in some provinces, tires older than ten years are not allowed on the road. If you want to confirm your tire’s year of production, you can DIY by checking the sidewall. Older, poor-performance tires have reduced traction and are prone to sudden cracking and failing as you drive.

Fortunately, if yours is too old, you can purchase new tires from TreadNation. These top-quality lug tires have exceptionally functioning treads and provide smooth riding all year round. They are highly affordable and come with tire storage and a free tire rotation advantage.

Check for Signs of Wearing and Tearing

Check your summer tire’s sidewalls for gouges, chunks, cuts, and bubbles, among other signs of wearing, before changing your snow tires. Sometimes, you might even have a flat tire. Identifying these issues early will help you address them way before the layover season.

In many areas across Canada, the onset of the spring season is marked by rainy weather and wet roads. Before changing your winter tires, you must inspect your spring tire tread wear to ensure they provide sufficient grip and traction when driving and cornering. Having the right types of tires is beneficial, especially when things on the road get a little slick.

Trust the Experts

Once temperatures in Canada start rising beyond 7 degrees Celsius, you might want to think about changing your winter tires. While you should carefully evaluate the benefits of new tires, tire changes, or tire swaps, keeping your winter driving tires is not safe or cost-effective.

TreadNation is dedicated to an endless pursuit of excellence, quality, and satisfaction for our clients. If you need brand-new tires and rims for warmer weather or any other weather conditions, we have your back. Have an expert from TreadNation handle it for you. Contact us today.