Seasonal Tire Change Service
Changing your tires with the seasons is an important part of preparing your vehicle for Ontario’s changing road and weather conditions. Superior Tire & Auto provides professional seasonal tire change services to help drivers switch between winter tires and their warmer-weather tire set safely and conveniently.
Whether your seasonal tires are already mounted on their own rims or need to be mounted and balanced, our experienced tire technicians can help get your vehicle ready for the season ahead.
What Is a Seasonal Tire Change?
A seasonal tire change is the process of switching the tires on your vehicle as temperatures and driving conditions change.
For many Ontario drivers, this means installing winter tires in the fall and changing back to all-season, all-weather or summer tires when warmer conditions return in the spring.
Seasonal tire changes are different from purchasing and installing a brand-new set of tires. If you have already purchased new tires that need to be mounted for the first time, learn more about our tire installation service.
When Should You Change Your Seasonal Tires?
Temperature is one of the most useful indicators for determining when to change your tires.
Changing to Winter Tires
When daily temperatures begin to remain around 7°C or below, it is generally time to consider installing your winter tires.
Winter tires use rubber compounds and tread designs intended to perform better in colder temperatures, snow and winter driving conditions. You do not need to wait for the first snowfall before making the switch.
Booking your seasonal tire change before the busiest part of the fall season can also make it easier to secure an appointment that works with your schedule.
Changing Back in the Spring
When temperatures consistently remain above approximately 7°C, it is generally time to change back from winter tires.
Winter tire compounds are designed for colder conditions and can wear more quickly as road temperatures increase. Changing your tires at the appropriate time helps ensure you are using the tire type designed for the conditions in which you are driving.
Need a replacement set? Explore Superior Tire & Auto’s all-season tires, all-weather tires, summer tires and winter tires.
Tires on Rims vs. Loose Tires: What Is the Difference?
The type of seasonal tire change your vehicle requires depends on whether your second set of tires is already mounted on wheels or rims.
Seasonal Tires Already Mounted on Rims
If your winter and warmer-weather tires each have their own set of rims, the complete wheel and tire assemblies can be removed and replaced as a set.
Having a dedicated set of rims for each season can simplify future seasonal changeovers because the tires do not have to be removed from and remounted onto the same wheels each time.
Seasonal Tires Without Separate Rims
If your seasonal tires are not mounted on their own rims, the existing tires must be removed from the wheels and the other set mounted in their place.
The tires are then balanced as required before the wheels are reinstalled on the vehicle.
For more information about correcting wheel and tire imbalance, visit our tire balancing service page.
What Is Included in a Seasonal Tire Change?
The exact service required will depend on your vehicle and whether your tires are already mounted on rims.
A seasonal tire change may include:
- Removal of the existing wheels and tires
- Inspection of the seasonal tires and wheels
- Installation of the replacement seasonal set
- Mounting and balancing when tires are not already on rims
- Tightening wheel fasteners to the appropriate specification
- Tire-pressure checks
- TPMS service or reset where required
- Identification of visible tire or wheel concerns
If your tire-pressure monitoring system requires attention, Superior Tire & Auto also provides dedicated TPMS service and repair.
Why Are Seasonal Tire Changes Important?
Changing tires is about more than preparing for snow. Tire compounds, tread patterns and designs are developed to perform within different temperature and road conditions.
Better Seasonal Performance
Using the appropriate tires for the season helps your vehicle perform as intended under the temperature and road conditions for which those tires were designed.
Helps Protect Your Tire Investment
Leaving winter tires on during extended warm-weather driving can contribute to unnecessary wear. Changing back at the appropriate time helps preserve your winter set for the season when you need it.
Opportunity to Inspect Your Tires
A seasonal change is also an opportunity to look for tread wear, visible damage or other tire concerns before the tires are installed.
If a tire has developed a puncture, visit our flat tire repair page to learn when a tire may be repairable.
Should You Have Your Wheels Balanced During a Seasonal Tire Change?
Wheel balancing and a seasonal tire change are related services, but they are not always the same service.
When loose tires are mounted onto wheels, balancing is an important part of the mounting process. If your tires are already mounted on their own rims, balancing may not be necessary at every seasonal change unless there are signs of imbalance or another reason to check them.
Possible signs that your wheels may need balancing include vibration through the steering wheel, seat or vehicle at certain speeds.
Superior Tire & Auto provides professional tire balancing when required.
Should You Get a Wheel Alignment When Changing Tires?
A wheel alignment is different from tire balancing and is not automatically required simply because you are changing seasonal tires.
However, an alignment should be considered if you notice:
- The vehicle pulling to one side
- An off-centre steering wheel
- Uneven tire wear
- Steering or handling changes
- Problems following an impact with a pothole or curb
Correct alignment can help your tires wear more evenly and help maintain proper vehicle handling.
Learn more about Superior Tire & Auto’s wheel alignment services.
Make Seasonal Tire Changes Easier With Tire Storage
One of the challenges of running two sets of tires is finding a suitable place to keep the set that is not currently on your vehicle.
Superior Tire & Auto offers seasonal tire storage so you do not have to transport and store your off-season tires at home.
Why Choose Superior Tire & Auto for Your Seasonal Tire Change?
Superior Tire & Auto has been serving Ontario drivers since 1942. Our experienced tire professionals provide tire sales, installation and automotive services designed to help drivers maintain their vehicles throughout the year.
Experienced Tire Professionals
Our technicians work with a wide range of tire sizes, vehicle types and tire brands and can help identify concerns that may become visible during a seasonal change.
Complete Tire Services
In addition to seasonal tire changes, Superior Tire & Auto provides tire installation, balancing, rotation, flat repair, TPMS service and seasonal storage.
Tires for Every Season
If your existing seasonal tires need to be replaced, we offer tires from leading manufacturers for cars, SUVs, minivans, light trucks and electric vehicles.
Convenient Ontario Locations
Superior Tire & Auto serves drivers throughout Toronto, the GTA and Barrie. Find the shop most convenient for you on our Superior Tire & Auto locations page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Seasonal Tire Changes
What is the difference between a tire change and a tire installation?
A seasonal tire change usually involves switching between two existing sets of tires, such as winter tires and all-season tires. Tire installation commonly refers to mounting and installing a newly purchased set of tires.
When should I put my winter tires on?
A common guideline is to install winter tires when daily temperatures consistently reach approximately 7°C or below rather than waiting for the first major snowfall.
When should I remove my winter tires?
Consider changing back to your warmer-weather tires when temperatures consistently remain above approximately 7°C.
Is it better to have winter tires on separate rims?
Having a dedicated set of rims for your winter tires can make seasonal changes simpler because the tires do not need to be removed from and mounted onto the same wheels each season. Whether separate rims make sense for you depends on your vehicle, budget and driving needs.
Do seasonal tires need to be balanced every time?
Loose tires being mounted onto wheels should be properly balanced. Tires that remain mounted on their own rims may not require balancing at every changeover unless there are signs of imbalance or another reason to inspect them.
Can Superior Tire & Auto store my other set of tires?
Superior Tire & Auto offers seasonal tire storage. Availability and pricing should be confirmed with your preferred location when booking your appointment.
How long does a seasonal tire change take?
Service time depends on whether your tires are already mounted on rims, whether mounting and balancing are required, and current shop demand. Your Superior Tire & Auto location can provide timing information when you book.
How much does a seasonal tire change cost?
Pricing depends on whether the tires are already mounted on rims or need to be mounted and balanced. Contact your preferred Superior Tire & Auto location for current seasonal tire change pricing.
Book Your Seasonal Tire Change at Superior Tire & Auto
Prepare your vehicle for the next season with professional tire service from Superior Tire & Auto.
Whether you are switching to winter tires for colder Ontario conditions or changing back when warmer weather arrives, our tire professionals can help make sure your seasonal set is installed correctly and ready for the road.