When Should You Take Off Winter Tires?

Blog Mar 10th, 2025

With the frost melts in Saskatchewan, Yorkton drivers face an important seasonal question: When should you take off your winter tires? While these specialized tires are lifesavers on icy roads, keeping them on too long can cost you in performance and even your wallet. Remove winter tires too early, and an April snowstorm could leave you unprepared on the roads. At Key Auto Group, we know that timing is everything. We’ll break down the ideal time for removing winter tires, and explain why warm-weather harms them.

What is the Importance of Winter Tires?

Why Shouldn’t You Use Winter Tires in Warm Temperatures?

Winter tires are engineered to excel in cold weather but their specialized design becomes a liability as temperatures rise. Here’s why you should not use winter tires in spring and summer.

Decreased Fuel Efficiency: The winter tires’ thread creates higher rolling resistance. This could increase fuel consumption, which costs you more at the pump over time.
Accelerated Tire Wear: Winter tires use a rubber material that stays flexible in freezing temperatures. This material lets the tread wear down faster due to heat. Over time, it will reduce the tire’s lifespan in future winters.
Road Noise: Winter tires’ deep grooves are noisier on dry roads. The constant hum at highway speeds makes long drives less comfortable.
Less Traction: Winter tires lack the stiff sidewalls and optimized tread patterns of all-season tires, which could lead to less traction on dry pavement.

When Should You Take Winter Tires Off?

Timing is critical when removing winter tires. If you switch too early, you may risk a late-season frost. If you wait too long, you’ll compromise tire longevity. For Yorkton drivers, late March to early April is typically the sweet spot, but you can always follow the 7°C Rule. Once daytime highs regularly exceed 7°C for seven to ten consecutive days, winter tires lose their cold-weather performance edge. The rubber hardens in warm conditions, which reduces grip. Most of manufacturers suggest swapping them with all-season at this stage to maintain handling

Why Choose Key Auto Group to Take Your Winter Tires Off?

At Key Auto Group in Yorkton, we’re your local partners in seasonal vehicle care. We provide:

Certified Technicians: Our team is factory-trained, and we are equipped with the latest tools to handle all makes and models. In addition, we conduct an inspection to address any hidden tire issues.
Transparent Pricing: We provide upfront quotes with detailed breakdowns so you know exactly what you are paying for.
Secure Storage: You can store your winter tires in our climate-controlled facility to prevent cracking damage.

Book a Tire Swap Service at Key Auto Group

Here’s how we do it at Key Auto Group: We’ll gently remove your winter tires, check if the tread’s still got life, mount your all-seasons and double-check your alignment. Worried about storing those tires? No problem! You can leave your winter tires in our climate-controlled storage until next season. Book online or drop off your vehicle at our service center, where our team will handle the rest.