Put them on when daytime highs settle below 7°C, and take them off in spring when they stay above it. Around Woodstock that usually means late October to early November going on, and sometime in April coming off. Not the first snowfall — by then you’ve already spent weeks on tires that aren’t gripping.
Why 7°C, not the first snow
The rubber compound in an all-season tire is designed for a wide range of conditions, and it starts to stiffen once the temperature drops below about 7°C. Stiff rubber doesn’t conform to the road surface, so grip drops off — on dry pavement, wet pavement, and especially on the cold, damp mornings that make up most of a Southwestern Ontario November. Winter tires use a softer compound and deeper, more heavily siped tread that stays flexible in the cold. That’s why they stop shorter even on bare roads when it’s cold, and much shorter on slush and ice.
So the trigger is temperature, not precipitation. If you wait for the first storm, you’ve also picked the week every shop in town is booked solid.
When to take them off
The same rule in reverse: once daytime highs are consistently above 7°C, the soft winter compound starts wearing quickly on warm pavement and handling gets vague. Running winters through May shortens their life for no benefit. Around here, mid-to-late April is typical, with a nervous eye on the forecast.
On rims or off?
If you drive a vehicle for more than a couple of winters, a second set of steel rims for the winter tires usually pays for itself. The changeover is quicker, there’s no repeated mounting and dismounting wearing on the tire bead, the balance stays put, and your good alloy wheels don’t spend the salt season on the road. If your vehicle has tire pressure sensors, the winter rims need their own set, which is worth knowing before you buy.
Check the pressures when it turns cold
Tire pressure drops roughly 1 psi for every 5 to 6°C the temperature falls. A set that was correct on a warm September afternoon can be several psi low on the first frosty morning — which is when the tire pressure light tends to come on. Check them cold, set them to the number on the door jamb sticker, and expect to top up again as it gets colder.
Are your winter tires still good?
Winter tires lose their advantage well before they’re worn out by the legal standard. Try the toonie test: put a toonie into the tread with the bear’s paws pointing down. Tread reaching the paws is plenty; tread only reaching the silver ring is about half; if you can see the top of the lettering, they’re done for winter duty even if they’d pass a safety. Also look at the date code on the sidewall — rubber ages out after six years or so regardless of tread, and old winter tires go hard.
The insurance discount
Since 2016, Ontario auto insurers have been required to offer a discount for vehicles with winter tires. The amount varies by insurer and most want all four tires on by a set date, so call yours once they’re on. It won’t pay for the tires, but it takes the edge off.
Common questions
Do I need winter tires in Ontario by law?
No. Ontario doesn’t mandate them the way Quebec does. It’s a safety and insurance decision, not a legal one.
Can I put winter tires on just the front (or just the back)?
No — all four. Mixing grip front to rear makes the car unpredictable in a skid, which is the moment you least want a surprise.
Are all-weather tires the same as winter tires?
Not quite. All-weather tires (with the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol) are a real compromise that stays on year-round and handles light winter conditions far better than all-seasons. Dedicated winter tires are still better on ice and in deep snow. For someone who does mostly in-town driving and doesn’t want two sets, all-weathers are a reasonable answer; we’ll tell you which suits how you drive.
How early should I book a changeover?
October. Once the first snow is in the forecast, the wait is a week or two everywhere.
This article is part of our guide to winter driving in Oxford County. Rick’s Automotive sells, installs and swaps tires in Woodstock — see our tires and wheels page or book a changeover.
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