Find the Right Tires in Yorkton, SK and Swan River, MB

You wouldn’t go for a walk in the ice and snow without a good pair of boots; the same principle applies to your tires. Weather in Canada can be harsh, especially throughout the summer and winter months, so it’s important that you keep your vehicle equipped with the right tires for the conditions you expect to be facing. This might sound like a hassle, but it doesn’t have to be; all Key Auto dealerships offer fast and efficient tire mounting and balancing services, so it’s as simple as making a service appointment at your preferred location. We'll even store your tires at our specialized facility and keep them in top condition ready for the next time you need them! Keep reading to find out just why this matters and how the wrong tires can impact not just your performance, but your safety.

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When Should You Take Off Winter Tires?

What is the Importance of Winter Tires?

How Often Should I Change My Tires?

Generally, tires have a lifespan of around 5 years, but there are instances when they may require swapping out sooner. One of these circumstances is fairly common knowledge: the changing of seasons and the subsequent road conditions that require a tire swap even if your tires themselves are working fine. Beyond that, though, there are some signs that a tire is nearing the end of its life that you can’t afford to ignore, even if the tires haven’t lasted the full 5 years:

• Uneven Wear
• Bubbles or Blisters
• Shallow Tread
• Punctures or Other Visible Damage
• Older Than 10 Years

If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, don’t wait; it’s time to book an appointment at your favourite Key Auto location and schedule a swap.

Can I Change Just One Tire?

To ensure the reliability and safety of your tires, it’s generally recommended that you change the whole set at once, even if only one tire is showing signs of wear or failure. This is considered best practice for many reasons:

• Saves you dealership visits in the long run, ultimately saving you money.
• Guarantees you four tires that will last. 
• Evades the risk of getting one tire changed only for another to fail.
• Ensures that once your new tires are balanced, they’ll perform incredibly from the moment you leave the dealership.

Why Do I Need to Change My Winter Tires?

You might be tempted to leave your winter tires on for a little while longer or wonder why you need them at all; after all, tires are tires! But as it turns out, not all tires were created equal and certain ones function better than others depending on the climate. 

The magic number you need to remember when determining when to change your tires is 7°C, as this temperature is when the varied compounds of each tire type starts to behave differently. In the case of winter tires, their soft rubber compound will thrive in temperatures under 7°C but will become too soft and hard to control in higher temperatures. On the flipside, summer or performance tires are made of hardier rubber that thrives in the heat but will lock up and become unresponsive in the bitter cold.

What’s the Difference Between Tire Types?

There are multiple tire types specifically designed to perform best in certain climates and conditions:

• Winter Tires: As the name suggests, winter tires are designed with a deeper tread to endure deep snow and provide better traction on slippery roads. In order to weather the cold, they’re composed of a soft, malleable rubber compound that can withstand cold weather but poses a safety risk in higher temperatures.

• Performance or Summer Tires: Summer tires are otherwise known as “performance tires” as they also excel for racing. Providing excellent traction on both dry and rain-slick roads, summer/performance tires do well at higher speeds and when cornering. To continue our shoe metaphor from earlier, summer tires are the equivalent of your sneakers. 
• All-Season Tires: All-season tires are jacks of all trades in every respect–generally reliable, these will do the job in most conditions, but won’t stand up to deep snow. They’re a fine option, but don’t have the same performance rates as summer tires.

Swap Your Winter Tires with Key Auto Group 

When the season starts to turn or you begin to notice wear on your tires, it’s time to schedule a tire swap and balancing at your preferred Key Auto location. Whichever dealership you choose, our factory-trained technicians will choose the right set of tires for you, balance them using warranty-approved methods, and get you back on the road in no time. Don’t forget to check our current specials to see if any can help you save! After all, premium service doesn’t have to come at a premium price point.