Don’t Wait to Put On Your Winter Tires This Year

When Is the Best Time to Put On Winter Tires?

We are to the point of the year when it’s time to start making preparations for winter. In our area, that means we need to schedule an appointment to have our winter tires installed. It’s not uncommon for people to stop by the Davis Chevrolet Service Department to ask, ‘When is the best time to put on winter tires?’ We are more than happy to have this conversation each year because we know how essential winter tires are to safe driving. We put together this handy guide to cover some of the most critical information we think you need to have.

READ MORE: Find Your Next Set of Winter Tires Here!

Pay Attention to the Weather

The best time to install winter tires is when the temperature consistently drops below 7°C. At this point, all-season and summer tires begin to lose their grip, as their rubber compounds stiffen in the cold. Winter tires, on the other hand, are designed to remain flexible in lower temperatures, providing better traction on cold, icy, and snowy roads.

Don’t wait for the first snowfall to have your winter tires put on your vehicle. Even dry roads in cold weather can be additionally hazardous with improper tires.

Why Do You Need Winter Tires?

Many drivers assume that all-season tires are good enough for winter. While they can handle light snow, they don’t match the cold-weather performance of true winter tires. Tests consistently show that winter tires provide shorter stopping distances, better acceleration, and improved handling on icy and snowy roads.

Some of the things that set winter tires apart from all-season or summer tires include:

• Better Snow Grip: The deeper treads allow snow to pack into the grooves, improving traction (since snow grips to snow better than rubber alone).
• Slush and Water Evacuation: The wider grooves push slush and water away from the tire surface, reducing the risk of hydroplaning.

We can’t overstate how important winter tires are. Make an appointment with the Davis Chevrolet Service Department right away.