When to switch to winter tires.
Winter tires work because their rubber stays soft in the cold. Here is when to put them on, when to take them off, and how the swap works when we come to you.
By the Aperio service team · Updated 26 September 2026
Cold is the problem, not just snow.
All-season tires are built for a wide range of conditions, but their rubber stiffens as the temperature drops, and a stiff tire grips less. Winter tires use a softer compound and a tread designed to bite into snow and slush, so they keep more of their grip on cold, dry pavement too.
That is where the 7 °C rule of thumb comes from: around that temperature, winter tires start to grip better than all-seasons. It is a guideline, not a law of physics, so use it together with the forecast and the roads you drive.
Québec requires them. Other places have their own rules.
In Québec, passenger vehicles registered in the province must have winter tires from December 1 to March 15. Drivers in Montréal, Québec City and Gatineau plan their fall swap around that date.
Other provinces and states set their own rules, some for particular highways or seasons. Check your local transportation authority for the rules where you drive: this guide is general guidance, not legal advice.
On rims, at your address, spring and fall.
The simplest setup is a second set of wheels: winter tires already mounted on their own rims. A seasonal swap then takes one set of wheels off and puts the other on, with no tire mounting needed. That is the swap the Aperio plan includes, spring and fall, at your driveway.
We swap mounted wheels; we don't mount new tires on rims at the roadside. If you need new tires mounted, a partner shop does that and we swap them on for you afterwards. In warm-climate cities there is no seasonal swap to book.
What to check before and after the swap.
- Tread depth: winter tires lose snow grip as they wear, well before they look bald.
- Pressure: it drops as the air gets colder, so check it after the first cold snap.
- Wheels: bent rims and damaged valve stems cause slow leaks.
- Storage: keep the off-season set cool, dry and out of the sun.
- Wheel nuts: tightened to the manufacturer's torque at every swap.
About winter tires.
Can I leave winter tires on all year?
It isn't a good idea. The soft compound that grips in the cold wears quickly on hot pavement, and a winter tire isn't designed for summer braking and handling. Swap back when the weather warms up.
Are all-season tires enough for winter?
In a mild climate they may be. Where winter means snow, ice and long cold spells, winter tires grip better, and in Québec they are required from December 1 to March 15. Your roads, your driving and local rules decide.
Do I need to bring my tires anywhere?
No. We come to your address. If your second set is stored with us, we bring it; if it's in your garage, we swap on the spot.
Tires, and where winter bites hardest.
