Spring Tire Changeover Tips

Spring is here, are you ready to swap out your winter tires for your summer/all season tires?

Posted May 3, 2022

The days are finally getting longer, the air is getting warmer, and the smell of spring is back in the air. Before we start planning our first camping trip of the year, we will need to swap our tires. Here are some quick tips to keep in mind this spring to get ready for your changeover.

When should you think about switching your tires over?

Waiting until the temperature outside is consistently 7 degrees or higher is the rule of thumb for switching back to your summer tires or all-season tires. Leaving your winter tires on past this point causes them to become soft and wear at a faster rate. The softness of the rubber in this climate also causes you to use much more fuel than necessary while driving.

Inspect your tires

It is good practice to pull out your summer or all-season tires a few weeks before they will be swapped, so you can give them a thorough inspection. Here are some things to look for:

Check for cracks in your tires, which is also known as dry rot. This dry rot can jeopardize the quality of your tire and could indicate that your tires need to be changed.
Check the age of your tires. Tires are more susceptible to dry rot after 6 years and should be replaced if they reach 10 years. You can find the year your tire was produced on the sidewall. There will be 4 numbers at the end of the dot stamp. The last two numbers will indicate the year of production.
Check for punctures before your tires are mounted because it will allow you to easily inspect them. If there is a puncture, you may be able to have it patched.
Check the sidewalls for chunks, gouges, bubbles, or cuts. By finding these issues early, you will be able to have them repaired or the tire swapped prior to the changeover season. Make sure to look at both the interior and exterior sidewalls.

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Changeover vs Tire Change

When it comes to getting ready for spring, it is important to know what type of change you need. Getting a changeover is the process of switching two sets of tires on one set of rims. This process takes a bit longer and is best practiced by a professional. A tire change is two sets of tires on two different rims. This is a simpler process, and many people complete this process at home. Make sure to retorque your tires after 100 kms for either swap.

Booking an appointment

As spring is here, shops are filling up with appointments for tire changeovers. To make sure you are not waiting too long, book in early. This is also why it is important to inspect your tires early.

Keep an eye on the 14-day forecast in your area to try and switch your tires at the most optimal time.

Questions? Our Advisors are Happy to Help!

If you have questions about anything you've read in this resource page, contact your nearest dealer for more information. We are passionate in assisting our customers make the best choices to keep their vehicles in tip-top shape and keep their families safe.