When is it time to put on your winter tires?

September 18th, 2012  |  Auto Insurance

Fall is here and it is time to start thinking about putting on your winter tires. While it is not quite time to pull them out of the garage or storage, it is time to move your tires into an accessible place so you will be ready if the weather takes a dip.

The truth is that many people are not sure about how to manage their winter tires. They often ask questions such as:

• When is the right time to put them on?

• What if I put them on too early?

• What if I wait too long?

There is no one particular date when you should or shouldn’t put on your winter tires. It actually depends on the climate where you live. For example, people Ottawa will likely put on their winter tires earlier in the year than people in more southern locations in Ontario like Toronto or Windsor.

Winter tire rules of thumb

There are a couple of rules of thumb to follow for winter tires:

• Don’t be like the majority of Canadians and wait for the first snow fall to install your tires. You will not only have to wait for hours to get your tires installed, you will also be unprepared for road conditions.

• Ideal conditions to install winter tires are when the temperature in your area averages 7 degrees Celsius or less. This usually means late October or early November if you live in Ontario.

• Install 4 tires that are the same brand, and wear. This will ensure the tires react consistently to the weather conditions.

Winter tires are an important part of being a safe and effective driver. Don’t overlook them. They provide added traction and will give you the added confidence you need when driving during poor conditions in the winter months.