When to Take Off Winter Tires?

Blog Mar 28th, 2025

When Should You Swap Out Your Winter Tires?

As Dartmouth sheds its icy coat, Nova Scotia drivers face a critical question: When is it safe to take off the winter tires? Even though winter tires provide better grip and safety during colder months, using them for too long is like wearing snow boots to the beach and may cost you extra whether in your wallet or driving experience. At Fairley & Stevens Ford, we understand that making switches can sometimes feel like a hassle, but it doesn’t have to be. With years of car maintenance experience, we’ve helped countless drivers make the transition from winter to all-season tires, which make sure their vehicles are ready for the upcoming season. Read on with our team to learn why timing your tire change is important.

Why Shouldn’t You Use Winter Tires in Spring/Summer?

Most drivers don’t want to swap winter tires out until June, just in case a snowstorm comes before then. In fact, although winter tires are specifically designed for much more challenging weather, all-season tires can still provide some traction on light snow, which is enough to let you handle mild conditions. In comparison, winter tires’ rubber material becomes less flexible due to the heat, which can be a liability, impacting both your cost and vehicle performance. Here’re some other reasons why keeping them on too long can harm your vehicle and wallet:

Tread Wear Quickly: Winter tires become over-flexed in warm temperatures, which causes them to wear quickly and sacrifice a season’s worth of tread in months.
Lower Gas Efficiency: The deep grooves of winter tires can increase rolling resistance on dry roads, burning more gas.
Weird Noise: Winter tires’ complex tread makes noise at highway speed, which impacts drive comfort.
Shorter Braking Distance: Most drivers think winter tires have a shorter braking distance due to their friction. However, according to an experiment, at a speed of 100 km/h on dry roads, winter tires’ braking distance is 24 feet longer than that of all-season tires.

When Should You Take Off Winter Tires?

Timing your winter tire removal is important to protect your tire investment. Swap them too early, and you risk a late snow squall; wait too long, and you’ll burn cash replacing prematurely worn tires. So, when is the best time to take off winter tires? We recommend swapping back to all-season or summer tires when daytime temperatures consistently stay above 7-degree because winter tires’ rubber compounds begin to “melt” at this point, which will reduce grip and accelerate wear. Here’re some signs it’s time to switch or replace your tires:

Consistent Warmth Above 7-Degrees
Tread Depth Below 2/32-Inch
Fuel Efficiency Drop (If other parts are working well)

Take Off Your Winter Tires at Fairley & Stevens Ford

Don’t shorten the lifespan of your winter tires. At Fairley & Stevens Ford, we make seasonal tire swaps quick and affordable for Dartmouth drivers. Our Ford-certified specialists use genuine Ford tools to perform your tire changes, ensuring factory-level precision. Book your tire change service online, then stop by and enjoy free coffee in our lounges while we handle the rest. Need a new set of tires? View our tire centre for your Ford.