Winter Tires and Tire Maintenance: Tread & Air Pressure

Summer or all-season tires lose their grip in cold temperatures, even if the roads are dry. Winter tires, by comparison, have softer rubber that remains flexible and provides increased traction in snow, slush, ice, and in colder temperatures.

Install winter tires when the temperature has consistently dropped below 7 °C, which typically occurs between October and November, depending on the region.

Some provinces require winter tires by law. In Quebec, winter tires are mandatory from December 1 to March 15. In British Columbia, some highways require winter tires from October 1 to April 30.

Tires do more than just support your car: they directly affect your fuel, efficiency, and safety on the road.

Because tires lose air as they’re used and their pressure changes with the seasons, check your tire pressureonce a month, and inflate them to spec if needed. This simple task can go a long way in extending the lifetime of your tires.

Worn-out, under-inflated, or improperly maintained tires increase the risk of accidents, overwork the engine, and burn more fuel.

The biggest danger in winter is low traction, which is what winter tires are designed to compensate for. However, they can only do their job if they have enough tread.

In Canda, the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm. However, most experts recommend replacing winter tires once they reach about 4 mm. (About 3 mm for summer tires.)

Tire tread tip for Canada: Insert a quarter into the tread with the caribou’s nose pointing down. Can you see the top of its nose? Then it’s time to shop for new tires.

Tires will wear unevenly depending on their position on the vehicle, which is why regular tire rotation is part of tire maintenance.

Rotation: Most manufacturers recommend rotating every 8,000–10,000 km. For directional tires, you’ll need to swap them front to rear on the same side of the vehicle. You can rotate symmetrical tires front to back.

Balancing: This procedure evenly distributes tire weight and therefore prevents vibrations. Complete this procedure when you swap tires with the change of seasons or when you notice shaking at highway speeds.

Alignment: This step angles wheels correctly relative to the road and to each other. Improper wheel alignment can lead to rapid wear, poor handling, and reduced fuel efficiency.

Winter or summer, tires can act up no matter the season. Keep an eye out for these symptoms of a “tire cold.”

Cracks, bulges or visible sidewall damage: visible cracks or bulges in the sidewall can show internal structure failures, which can increase the risk of a tire blowout.

Loss of air pressure: if your tires often lose air and require frequent inflations despite no visible punctures, the rubber may be aging or the tires may have small leaks.

Uneven wear patterns: misalignment, improper inflation, or suspension problems can lead to uneven tire wear. If only one section of the tire shows extensive wear, an alignment check and new tires may be necessary.

Excessive vibration: excessive vibration while driving may signal unbalanced or worn-out tires or issues with your suspension.

Aggressive driving habits, rough road conditions, and tire quality can decrease the lifespan of a tire. Most tires will last between 40,000 and 80,000 km. Experts recommend replacing them at least every six years regardless of mileage.

Check the age of your tires if you can’t remember the last them you had them inspected or replaced: Simply look for the DOT code on the sidewall. The last four digits represent the week and year of manufacturing. For example, 1022 would identify a tire manufactured in the 10th week of 2022.

Warm weather will return. We’re certain of it! So, let’s think ahead.

Winter tires wear out quickly in warm weather, which reduces fuel efficiency and performance and will damage the tires faster. Besides, summer and all-season tires provide better traction and longevity in these warmer conditions.

Change back to your summer or all-seasons when temperatures have consistently risen above 7°C. This is usually between late-March and early-May, depending on the region.

If you have the proper tools and an appropriate location, you can replace your tires on your own. We have the complete guide to tire replacement here. Remember to have a reliable floor jack and jack stands on hand to safely lift your vehicle.

Any questions? Visit your local NAPA Auto Parts to speak with one of our friendly technicians!