The 7 degree rule
All-season tires are made from a rubber that hardens as it gets cold. Below about 7 degrees, it loses grip, even with no snow on the road. Winter tires use a softer rubber and deeper treads that stay flexible in the cold, so they stop and corner better on cold, wet, slushy and icy roads.
Don't wait for the first snowfall. That's when everyone books at once, and the first icy morning is when you need them most.
The insurance discount
Ontario requires car insurers to offer a discount to drivers who use winter tires. The amount varies by insurer, so call yours and ask. To qualify, the tires usually need the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol on the sidewall, and they need to be on the car through the winter months. Your insurer will tell you the exact rules.
Is your winter set still good?
- Check the tread: winter tires lose much of their snow grip as they wear, well before they hit the legal minimum
- Check the age: rubber hardens over the years even with plenty of tread left
- Look for cracks, bulges or uneven wear, which can mean an alignment or suspension problem
- On all-wheel-drive cars, all four tires should be closely matched in size and wear
When to switch back
Swap back to all-seasons or summers once spring temperatures stay above about 7 degrees. Running winter tires through a hot summer wears them out quickly.
Swaps and storage at Leslie and Eastern
We do seasonal swaps on rims, mounting and balancing, flat repairs and TPMS sensors, and we store your off-season set so you don't have to. Book early in the fall to skip the rush.