When Should You Put Winter Tires On in Fredericton?

Every fall, the same question comes up: when is the right time to switch to winter tires? Put them on too early and you add wear on dry pavement. Wait too long and you could be caught on summer or all-season tires during the first storm, along with everyone else trying to book a changeover at the same time.

Here is what the tire experts at Steele GMC Buick recommend.

Follow the 7 Degree Rule

The best signal is not the calendar or the first snowflake. It is the temperature. Once daily temperatures consistently drop to around 7°C or lower, it is time to make the switch.

Why 7°C? The rubber in all-season and summer tires starts to stiffen in cold weather, which reduces grip on the road, even when it is dry. Winter tires use a softer rubber compound that stays flexible in the cold, along with deeper treads and more biting edges designed for snow, slush and ice.

In the Fredericton area, that usually means booking your changeover sometime in October, then getting the tires on before the first real snowfall.

Are All-Season Tires Good Enough?

All-season tires are built to handle a wide range of conditions, but they are a compromise. In a New Brunswick winter, with cold mornings, freezing rain and packed snow, a dedicated winter tire gives you noticeably better traction, braking and control. That applies to trucks and all-wheel-drive SUVs too. All-wheel drive helps you get moving, but it does not help you stop or turn on ice. Your tires do that.

What to Look for in a Winter Tire

• The three-peak mountain snowflake symbol. This symbol on the sidewall means the tire meets a recognized standard for severe snow performance.
• The right size and load rating. This is especially important for trucks like the GMC Sierra and larger SUVs like the Yukon and Enclave.
• Your driving habits. Highway commuters, rural drivers and people who tow all have different needs. Our team can recommend the right fit.

Consider a Second Set of Wheels

Mounting your winter tires on their own set of wheels makes each seasonal changeover faster and more affordable, and it protects your original wheels from salt and winter damage. It also makes it easier to check your tire pressure monitoring system is working correctly with each swap.

When to Switch Back

The same rule applies in the spring. Once temperatures are consistently above 7°C, it is time to take your winter tires off. Driving on them in warm weather wears them down much faster.

Book Your Tire Changeover

Steele GMC Buick carries winter tires for GMC, Buick and other makes, and our Price Match Guarantee means you get a great price. Book your changeover early to beat the rush, and we can check your battery, brakes and fluids while your vehicle is in. See our fall vehicle checklist for everything else to cover before winter.