When to Change Tires in Canada

3 minutes can save you hundreds. Enter your postal code below and join thousands of Canadians saving on insurance.

Secure. No Spam. No Fees.

Why You Can Trust MyChoice

MyChoice serves as an independent intermediary between you, financial institutions and licensed professionals without any additional charge to our users. In the interest of transparency, we disclose that we partner with some of the providers we write about – we also list many financial services without any financial gain. MyChoice does not operate a financial institution or brokerage and to ensure accuracy, our content is reviewed by licensed professionals. Our unique position means that we hold no recurring stake in your policy, ensuring our mission to help Canadians make better financial decisions is free of bias or discrimination. 

Article Contents
Picture of By <span>Aren Mirzaian</span>
By Aren Mirzaian

Updated on September 17, 2024

Visit author page
Picture of By <span>Aren Mirzaian</span>
By Aren Mirzaian

Updated September 17, 2024

Visit author page

4 minute read

Article Contents

While your tires are among the most important components of your car, there is no set timeline for when to change them. To figure out when you should get new tires, you have to be able to recognize the signs of wear and anticipate seasonal changes.

When to Change Your Car Tires at a Glance

  • There are many tell-tale signs that a tire needs to be replaced, including cracks, bulging, and frequently losing pressuring.  
  • Tire tread is a good indicator of whether a tire is still safe to use.
  • On top of regular tires, Canadian drivers should also have a set of winter tires on hand.

Keep reading to learn more about replacing your car tires — whether it be due to age, damage, or in preparation for winter driving.

3 Signs You Should Replace Your Tires ASAP

Tires provide the contact between your vehicle and the road. Ignoring any sign of damage or wear could mean putting yourself and your family in harm’s way. As such, it’s important to watch out for these three signs:

Your tires lose traction:

In wet weather, observe your vehicle’s handling. If you find that your car slips or slides more than usual, it could be indicative of low tire tread.

You see cracks, blisters, and bulges:

Cracking typically means that the rubber in your tires is beginning to break down. Blisters and bulges, on the other hand, are caused by overloading and overheating. Tires with “deep cuts, slits, cracks, blisters or bulges are potentially dangerous and should be replaced”, says Transport Canada in a report on critical safety for tires.

Your tires don’t hold pressure like before:

This could be a sign of a slow puncture — a tiny hole that slowly deflates tires over time. If you ignore a slow puncture, you could put yourself at risk of a sudden blowout.

3 Signs You Should Replace Your Tires ASAP

How Do I Know If I Need New Tires?

If you don’t find any of the above-mentioned signs and your tires seem fine, does that mean you can keep on using your tires without inspection? 

Not quite. 

When it comes to tire health and longevity, there are two essential factors to consider: your tires’ age and tread.

Although, as mentioned, there is no set timeline for replacing tires, the general consensus in the auto industry is that you should replace your car tires every six years. If your tires are still in good shape by then, make sure to have them inspected by a professional at least once a year. However, many manufacturers recommend replacing your tires after 10 years.

You can find your tire’s age by searching for the DOT serial number — an eight to 13-digit code starting with the letters “DOT” — on the sidewall of your tires. The last four digits of the code indicate the week (out of 52) and the year the tire was manufactured. For example, a tire manufactured on the 8th week of 2024 will have a DOT number ending in 0824. 

Treads are grooves in a tire that help with things like traction, handling, and fuel-efficiency. Over time, treads wear down, making it harder to maintain control on slippery roads, increasing braking time, and putting you at a greater risk of accidents. 

Canadian law requires a minimum 1.6 mm tread depth. However, some provinces have stricter requirements, especially in winter. For example, in British Columbia, winter tires are required to have at least 3.5 mm of tread. 

The easiest way to measure tire tread is with a depth measuring tool. These are available in hardware stores and auto shops. If you can’t get your hands on a depth measuring tool, there are three easy ways to check whether your tires are still safe to use:

Inspect the Tread Bars

Also known as “tread wear indicators”, tread bars are small, raised bars you can find within the grooves of your tires. On brand new tires, tread bars are not yet level with the tread, running slightly deeper in the grooves. When you run your finger horizontally over the bars and feel them as evenly as the tread, then that’s your cue that your treads are worn and it’s time to replace your tires.

Do the Coin Trick

Take a nickel or quarter and hold it between your thumb and forefinger, with the figurehead on the coin upside down. Then, place the coin inside one of the grooves between your tire’s tread. If the tread covers the figurehead, your tires are still okay. But if the whole figurehead is exposed, then your tires are due for a replacement.

Perform the Match Test

Don’t have a coin? Try inserting a matchstick headfirst between your tire tread. If the match head sticks out from the tread, then it’s time to change your tires.

When to Change Tires in Canada

Another reason to change your tires is the weather. When winter comes around and the temperature drops, regular tires lose their elasticity and have less traction than they normally do. Unlike regular tires, winter tires maintain their elasticity and grip at lower temperatures. 

So, when should you switch to winter tires? If you observe seven consecutive days with below 7°C temperatures, then it’s time to make the switch. This is typically around late October to mid-November in Canada.

Follow the same logic when switching back to regular tires when temperatures start to rise again. When there have been seven consecutive days with above 7°C temperatures, you can go back to regular tires and have them on throughout spring, summer, and fall. 

Make sure not to leave your winter tires on all year round. Their material is not made for high temperatures, so they’re at a higher risk of blowouts. 

Key Advice From MyChoice

  • Regularly inspect your tires and pay attention to signs of wear such as low tread, cracks, bulges, or loss of pressure. Regular inspections help catch potential issues early on.
  • Know when to change tires seasonally. In Canada, drivers are encouraged to switch to winter tires when the temperature drops below 7°C and the roads become cold and slippery.
  • Keeping yourself safe on the road doesn’t just come down to proper tire maintenance. Make sure you’re covered in case of any kind of road accident with a good car insurance policy. Use MyChoice to compare quotes and find the best deals today. 

Congratulations! You made it to the end!

Now, here is the easy part: complete your quote in under 2 minutes
  • Secure. No Spam. No Fees.

Discover More About

Hybrid vs Electric Cars: Which Ones Are Better?

Hybrid and electric cars represent huge advances in vehicle technology and are changing the auto industry forever. Click through to find out more.
Read full article

Is My U.S. Car Insurance Valid in Canada?

Planning on driving across the border? Click through to find out if your U.S. car insurance is valid in Canada, and how you can prepare for your trip.
Read full article

Will My Auto Insurance Cover Transmission Failure?

A failing transmission system can disable your car and may not be covered by insurance. Learn more about when your insurance policy covers transmission damage.
Read full article

Even More Ways To Save