If you own a vehicle, the perfect time for a tire change depends on where you live and which climate you are currently experiencing. If you are in Canada, the end of winters is marked by longer and warmer days. This is an indicator for you to get all season tire change done.
Going in for a tire change at the right time will help you get better mileage and save money. While a tire change may appear to be quite tedious and inconvenient, in the long run, it is good for your wallet and safety.
Winter Tires and All Season Tire Change
When to change winter tire? As a general rule, winter tire change is recommended once the temperature drops below 7 °C. Similarly, when the temperature rises above 7 °C, an all season tire change is advisable.
Winter tires and all-season tires are manufactured using different rubber compounds. The use of different rubber compounds allows different tires to be best suited for a particular temperature range.
Winter tires are built to perform optimally at sub-zero temperatures in snowy conditions. Winter tires have a large number of soft and flexible treads. Winter tire change provides a better grip and traction on the icy roads. To put it in simple terms, winter tires are well equipped to handle cold climate conditions. However, when the temperature warms up the features of winter tires become ineffective. This is the time to roll out your winter tires and go for an all-season tire change.
In warmer temperatures, the rubber compound from which the winter tires are made becomes too soft. Driving with winter tires on dry and hot pavements will wear them out quickly. The friction between the tires and the road results in the generation of tremendous heat. This has a significant impact on braking and vehicle handling.
Are All Season Tires Good for Snow?
All season tires are engineered to enable hassle-free driving for the major phases of the year, i.e. during spring, summer and early fall. They can move smoothly over muddy and wet roads. The rubber compounds that make up all-season tires can resist heat and do not wear down quickly on hot and dry roads. Also, the unique tread design on all season tires offers great year-round performance for driving. An all-season tire change also offers a comfortable ride during light winter conditions when there is no snow accumulation on the road.
When it comes to a tire change, timing is everything. It is best to keep an eye on the weather conditions and opt for the appropriate tire change to match the conditions. Whether it is a winter tire change or all-season tire change, you must never be in a hurry or too slow to switch over the tires. But once the snow and cold have disappeared it is time for you to get an all-season tire change done.
