WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO SWITCH OUT TIRES?

Back

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO SWITCH OUT TIRES?

Posted on June 9, 2023

 

When Should You Put On Spring/Summer Tires?

 

In a perfect world, spring would quickly follow winter, getting rid of snow and warming things up as soon as possible. However, in our corner of the world, the first day of spring is no occasion to hang up your snow shovel for the season. For the many of us who change out our tires in the fall for more appropriate winter equipment, the same dilemma comes back in March and April. So, when should you put on spring or summer tires? Certainly, picking a day on the calendar isn’t going to be reliable. Our team of expert service technicians suggests playing a longer game and waiting for the weather to be consistently warmer. Let’s take a look at a few things you should know.

 

READ MORE: How Often Should Tires Be Rotated?

 

How Warm Should It Be to Switch Tires in Spring?

 

Regardless of the season, the 7°C rule applies to tires. As things warm up, our team suggests waiting until the average daily temperature is above 7°C. That’s the point where conditions start to affect the performance of almost all tires. Summer or all-season tires become too stiff to be effective when below 7°C, and winter tires will be too soft at temps above 7°C. Leaving your winter tires on when it’s warm will accelerate tread wear, leading to a reduced lifespan of the tires. Southside Dodge can always help you find affordable tires, but we also don’t want you to spend money you can otherwise avoid spending.

 

What Happens If You Swap Winter Tires Too Early?

 

We would love to give you a date you could put on your calendar when it would be safe to swap out your tires. As well-equipped as the Southside Dodge Service Department is, we have yet to be approved to get a crystal ball for the shop. But, if you had to choose between changing tires too early or waiting a little longer, we suggest erring for the latter option. It’s arguably better to keep the winter tires on your car for too long than underestimate the change in weather.

 

A few days of driving on winter tires when it’s warm might not be ideal, but it’s better than dealing with a surprise snowstorm on tires that are not up to the task.

 

Tips For Storing Tires

 

When the time comes to swap out seasonal tires, you will need to make sure you’re properly storing the set that is coming off of your vehicle. If you are holding on to your seasonal tires until the next time you need them, these tips will be very helpful.

 

• Clean all of the dirt and grime off of the tires before storing them for the season.
• Keep the tires in a place that is cool, dry, and dark. Even leaving them covered outside can cause problems. Investing in a tire storage bag could be worthwhile.
• The place you store the tires should remain at a steady and comfortable temperature.
• If your season tires have their own rims, hanging them on hooks is a good idea.
• Stacking the tires might be necessary, but be sure to shuffle the stack every month to help avoid damage.

 

The Southside Dodge Service Department is here to maintain your vehicle or provide you with advice about maintaining it. Give us a call, today, if there is something we can do to help.