Tire Season—The Best Time to Put on Summer Tires
Spring is here! Before you know it, the summer heat will take over, which means it’s time to head to your local NAPA AUTOPRO shop to switch out your winter tires for your summer set.
But is this necessary? Can you keep the same set of tires on your car year round? Let’s go over the difference between summer tires and snow tires, when to change them, and how to store your off-season tires.
Summer vs. Winter Tires
Although they may look almost identical, summer and winter tires perform very differently depending on the weather.
Summer tires are made with a rubber compound that’s formulated to handle heat, keeping the tires stiff instead of going soft (like winter tires would). They have a shallow tread depth to increase contact with the road in dry conditions.
Snow tires are made with both natural and butadiene rubber, which helps them remain flexible in cold temperatures. Winter tires have a deep tread pattern that’s designed to improve traction on snow, ice, and slush. Approved winter tires will have a symbol on the sidewall of a three-peaked mountain with a snowflake inside it.
Using the wrong tires for the season can be very dangerous, and some provinces require everyone change to winter tires. Summer tires can’t grip ice properly, so using them in winter can seriously hinder your control over your vehicle. In the summer, driving with winter tires increases the chance of a blowout, because the tire’s rubber will wear down much faster in the heat.
To maximize your safety and your vehicle’s performance, always use the right tires for the current weather.
When to Change Your Tires
The 7-for-7 rule is a useful way to know when to switch your tires. Winter tire season begins once fall temperatures drop below 7°C for seven days in a row.
Once spring rolls around, pay attention to when the temperature stays above 7°C for seven days, signalling the start of summer tire season. At this point, you can shed your winter tires and slide into the summer set.
As your tires are being changed, ask your mechanic to assess the chassis, suspension, bearings, hubs, brakes, and shocks for damage, rust, looseness, or leaks. A thorough cleaning of these parts to remove winter road salt will slow the development of rust.
A professional at a NAPA AUTOPRO service centre can advise you on other important maintenance tasks to cover during your tire change.
How to Store Your Winter Tires
Since each set of tires is only used for about half the year, they may have enough tread remaining for another season.
If your winter tires have at least 4 mm tread depth (3.5 mm is the absolute minimum for safety), you can put them in storage.
Proper storage for winter and summer tires should follow these steps:
- Clean: Use soap, water, and a tire brush to clean each tire. Allow the tire to dry thoroughly.
- Pack: Put each tire in its own plastic bag, taping it shut to limit oxidation and oil evaporation.
- Location: Store tires in a cool, dry place, like a dry basement or climate-controlled garage.
- Position: Place the tires vertically on clean wood slats, a pallet, or a tire rack to reduce distortion.
If you don’t have enough space, look for a tire shop that offers professional tire storage.
Check out any NAPA AUTOPRO location for routine maintenance and repairs, including tire changes and storage. For more information on summer tires, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTOPRO shop.