As a car owner in Canada, you’re probably used to switching over your tires for the season. However, you might be asking yourself when is the best time of year to change your winter tires?

Before we answer that question, you need to evaluate the status of your tires.

Tire Maintenance

How Do I Know if My Tires Are in Good Condition?

We wrote an article that provides an overview of how to read your tire wear patterns. There are at least four signs to indicate the status of your tires. For example:

1. If your tires show increased wear along both edges, with the middle of the tires displaying less, the tires may be underinflated.
2. If you see a strip of accelerated wear down the middle of the tread, your tire pressure may be too high..
3. If your tires are showing a strip of wear along either the inside or outside, it can mean your suspension is misaligned.
4. Scuffs of wear, located uniformly or randomly along the surface of the tires, are most often indicators of a suspension problem.

If you see any of these indicators, speak with a professional mechanic. Tires are an important safety feature of your vehicle.

Should I Switch to All-Season or All-Weather Tires?

Many people may not understand the differences between all-season vs. all-weather tires, but it’s simple.

• All-season tires are intended to offer average handling and braking during the spring, summer, and fall (and when there’s an occasional light dusting of snow). However, they are not specialized enough to excel in any one road surface.
• All-weather tires can be viewed as an alternative option to winter tires in some cases; however, they do not provide the same level of performance as dedicated winter tires when dealing with snow and ice. These tires can be used in the summer without damaging the rubber compound or compromising its safety.

When is the Best Time to Take Off My Winter Tires?

If you’re an Allstate customer, your winter tires should typically be removed by the end of April and put on in early November. However, these are only broad indicators, and your local weather conditions could require a different schedule. Winter tires perform at their best in cold weather when temperatures drop below 7-degrees Celsius.

Allstate, for example, offers a 5% discount for all vehicles equipped with four winter, or all-weather, tires. These tires must bear the approved “winter tire” designation as implemented by Transport Canada and be installed on the vehicle during the winter season (November – April). Speak with your insurance professional about how this applies to your specific insurance premium.

Disclaimer: This information and the websites referenced are provided for your convenience only and should not be construed as providing legal or insurance advice. Allstate does not control or guarantee the accuracy of any content on any third-party site.  Allstate is not responsible for the privacy practices of any third-party site.