Don't Delay Your Seasonal Switch

When it comes to seasonal tire changes, timing is everything. So before our service departments become swamped with swaps, we took a moment to talk all things tires with our in-house experts. Keep reading to find out why swapping your tires is crucial for your vehicle’s performance (and your wallet), and learn when the best time to make the switch is. 

Why Make The Change?

If you’re familiar with our Winter Warm-Up Guide, you might remember reading about how winter tires are designed to give you better control in snow and ice using a specially designed soft rubber compound. This softer rubber helps your tires remain flexible in cold temperatures while maintaining a good grip on the road. 

The same holds true for your all-season and summer tires - these models are designed with heat in mind, and rely on a firmer rubber compound that provides optimal handling for spring and summer conditions. When warm weather hits, the traction of your winter tires will be significantly decreased. This means your braking times could be compromised, and those extra seconds can make all the difference when it comes to avoiding an accident. 

Continuing to use your winter tires as things heat up will also wreak havoc on your tread. Winter tires aren’t exactly known for their durability, and will wear more quickly in warmer weather - especially once temperatures reach double-digits. Barry Yutronke, Director of Operations for the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada, explains:

“You’ve got more movement on that contact patch between the road and the tire. Because you have that movement, as you turn, you’re basically scuffing off more of that tread rubber in city conditions. On the highway you’re going to generate more heat.”

If you want to make sure your tires last, don’t delay your seasonal switch. Swapping your winter tires for a set of summers or all-seasons will allow you to handle your vehicle effectively - keeping you and your passengers safe, reduce your emissions, and will even save you money on both fuel and maintenance! 

When To Book

Keeping all of this in mind, it’s time to answer the million-dollar question: when should you opt to swap? Experts across the board agree that the best time to make the switch is when temperatures are consistently above 7°C. Our Island weather can be hard to predict, and certainly doesn’t follow a schedule, so you’ll want to wait for at least one full week of mild weather before booking your service appointment. 

Are you ready to beat the spring service rush? Schedule your service appointment today!