Changing Winter Tires in March? Is This Too Early?

winter auto maintenace

With the summer season just around the corner, you might be thinking of changing your winter tires to all-season tires already but is it too soon? When is the most ideal time to remove winter tires?

In this article, we’re going to find out the risk of using winter tires all-year-round, the perfect timing for removing winter tires, and the additional protection you need to have.

Winter Tires Are Engineered for Real Winter Conditions

Winter tires, also known as snow tires, are manufactured for cold temperatures and deep snow. The difference between regular tires and winter tires is the tread pattern. Winter tires have a larger tread pattern to increase traction on icy roads, while all-season tires have smaller treads for better grip in warm climates. 

It’s Not About the Best Time but About the Best Temperature

It’s safe to say that in this day and age when planning on changing your winter tires, it’s not about the perfect time or season for it but instead, the perfect temperature. 

As long as the temperature falls below 45°F or 7°C, then keep your winter tires until the temperature rises. Once the temperature reaches above 45°F or 7°C, then it’s high time for you to change your tires. If you continue to use your winter tires during the summer season, you’re going to risk both you and your car’s life. 

Risk of Driving Winter Tires during Summer

  1. Loss of Control

Winter tires are manufactured to perform properly only during the cold temperature. When the road temperature rises, it’s going to be very difficult to maneuver your car. Try to picture yourself driving with a soft winter tire and you need to make a quick turn, your winter tire won’t be able to have a good grip on the warm pavement compared to all-season tires. 

  1. Unexpected Blowouts

When you use winter tires during summer, you risk your tires overinflating. You also increase your possibilities of experiencing a blowout. There are a lot of issues that will arise if you decide on using your winter tires all-year-round, you’ll risk experiencing issues on your wheels, tread patterns, and even dangerous driving. 

  1. Faster Wear and Tear

Winter tires are designed to be soft and flexible to maintain good traction on icy paths and snowy roads. Aside from a challenging drive, expect faster wear on your winter tires since the soft rubber compound gets undermined easily due to the warm, dry pavement. 

  1. It’s Going to Cost You More

You might think that not changing your winter tires will help you save a lot of money, then you’ve got that wrong. You might be able to save money upfront by not changing your tires but it’s going to cost you a lot in the future. 

Because winter tires are created to be soft for better traction on icy roads, they will wear faster on warm pavements. This means that by the time winter comes again, you’re going to have to buy new sets of winter tires. 

Why an Extended Car Warranty Is a Must!

No one ever wants to encounter unexpected car breakdowns or expensive repairs, all the more if you’re the one who needs to pay for it. This is why you need to purchase an extended car warranty. 

An extended car warranty, also known as a service contract, is an extension of the manufacturer’s warranty coverage that protects the owner from unexpected out-of-pocket expense from repairs. 

Key Take-Away

There’s no definite time as to when you should remove your winter tires but there is somehow a perfect temperature to keep in mind when planning on changing it. You still need to be careful because temperatures during the day might be very different from the night. So remember the rule of thumb when it comes to changing from winter tires, the temperature should always be above 45°F or 7°C.

If you’re planning to keep your winter tires all year-round, I suggest you consider the thought carefully due to the risks of driving with them during the warmer climate. Not only Is it risky but it will cost you a lot of money in the future. 

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