Winter tires still on? Why you shouldn't put off changing them for too long

Spring in Canada is a beautiful season when the temperatures get warmer and the flowers are in bloom, but winter often creeps back into the picture with a few more rounds of snow and cold.

In deciding when to put away your winter tires for the year, you may lean towards leaving them on your vehicle a bit longer to safeguard against those spring snowfalls.

But if you keep your winter tires on too long, there are some costs and safety concerns you’ll want to consider.

Longevity

If left on too late, the extra wear and tear on your tires can take years off their lifespan, leading you to purchase a new set much sooner.

Cost

While they work great in the winter, a tire designed to be soft in the cold gets even softer in warm weather. This negatively impacts fuel economy, as the added friction creates drag, and leads to higher fuel consumption.

Safety

Beyond the added costs you may run into, safety concerns must also be kept in mind, as running your winter tires on the road in spring and summer decreases their effectiveness the following winter.

To steer clear of the issues you’ll run into when keeping your winter tires on too late, make sure to book your changeover when the time is right, and remember those appointments can book up fast before the last frost in spring, and the first frost of fall.

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(Header image courtesy of Getty Images/stock photo)