When to change to winter tires

Icy roads. Slippery slush. Winter is on its way. Not sure if you should spring for winter tires this year? The answer is YES. According to Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation, all-season tires are not suitable for driving in the snow belt and northern regions of southern Ontario and the north.

While all-season tires are fine most of the year, they are no match for the province’s hazardous winter climate. Only winter tires provide adequate traction, braking, and handling during frosty, snowy, icy, and slushy weather conditions.

That’s because the rubber compound in a winter tire is specially designed to stay soft in sub-zero temperatures, moulding itself to the road to provide optimal traction.
 

7-for-7 rule

Ontario’s unpredictable weather can make planning your winter tire change challenging; it’s crucial to know when to make the swap. Use the 7-for-7 rule: the transition to winter tires can safely be made once there have been seven consistent days of temperatures below 7°C.
 

CAA Mobile Tire Change

Avoid the long lineups at on-site vendors and stop Googling “tire change near me” – CAA North & East Ontario’s Mobile Tire Change is an easy and affordable, contactless, mobile tire change service exclusively for CAANEO Members.

Available in select regions of Ottawa, Sudbury, and Thunder Bay, CAA Mobile Tire Change will come to your home or place of business to change your tires on the spot (on- or off-rim tires in Ottawa; only on-rims in Sudbury and Thunder Bay). Click here to view our service maps.

Book online at least 72 hours in advance, and a CAA Mobile Tire Change technician will be dispatched to your door at the appointed time.