When To Replace Winter Tires: Stay Winter-Ready And Save At TIRECRAFT

Winter tires are one of the best investments you can make to improve safety and automotive cost-control. But nothing lasts forever. And if you don’t know when to replace your snow tires, you could be in for a rude awakening this winter.

Driving on worn-out winter tires is often more dangerous than driving with out-of-season tires, not only because many of the safety features will be compromised, but also because they give drivers a false sense of security.

Worn-out winter tires also lose all of their cost-control benefits. Most insurance providers won’t offer discounts once they’re past their prime, and damaged or misshapen tires can seriously reduce your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.

Fortunately, it’s not hard to tell when it’s time to replace your winter tires, and your local TIRECRAFT has plenty of ways to save you money on your replacement set.

Read on to learn more, or contact your local TIRECRAFT to schedule a free winter tire inspection straight away.

When To Replace Winter Tires: 4 Ways To Tell It’s Time

1. Your winter tire treads are worn down. Most new winter tires come with between 10/32” and 14/32” of tread depth. Transport Canada says to replace winter tires once the treads wear down to 5/32” (4 millimeters).

Not tread depth gauge? No problem!

To check winter tire tread depth like a true Canuck, grab a Canadian quarter and place the caribou into the gap between tire treads, muzzle first. If the tread covers the caribou’s muzzle, they’re okay for now. But if the caribou’s muzzle is partly visible, your treads are worn, and you need a replacement. And if the muzzle is entirely exposed, get down to your local tire shop as soon as possible—you’re not only driving on unsafe tires, you’re actually below the legal requirement, as stipulated by the Highway Traffic Act.

2. Your winter tires are more than 6 years old. Most winter tires are built to last for 6 seasons, and if your current set is any older, it’s time for a replacement. If you can’t remember when they were purchased, check the sidewall. The manufacturing date will be displayed as a four-digit number (e.g. 0122), where the first two digits represent the week and the last two represent the year. In the case of our example, the winter tire will have been built in the first month of 2022.

3. Your winter tires are damaged. The Highway Traffic Act stipulates that winter tires must not have exposed cords, deep tread or sidewall cuts, or any visible bumps, bulges, or knots. It doesn’t take an experienced eye to spot these signs of trouble, but assessing the severity of the damage might—when in doubt, contact your local TIRECRAFT.

4. Your vehicle uses a mix of different winter tires. Most people know not to mix different tire types (e.g. two summer tires and two winter tires), as no two tires perform exactly the same, and this variance can lead to unpredictable handling, poor fuel efficiency, and uneven wear. But it’s equally dangerous to mix different products within the winter tire category.

If you notice mixed winter tires on your vehicle, you should try to replace them as soon as possible.

Get Winter-Ready And Save Money At Your Local TIRECRAFT

Need help assessing the condition of your winter tires? Looking to browse all the top winter tire brands under one roof? Want to save on your replacement set with exclusive rebates, customer loyalty rewards, and extended warranty coverage?

Whatever your winter tire needs, your local TIRECRAFT is standing by to help, and you can book a FREE consultation with just a few clicks.

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