When Should You Put Winter Tires On in Durham?
Every fall we get the same question at the counter: "Is it too early for winter tires?" Here's how we answer it.
The 7°C rule
Winter tires aren't just for snow. The rubber in all-season and summer tires starts to stiffen once it gets cold, and they lose grip even on dry pavement. Winter tires use a softer compound that stays flexible in the cold.
The Tire and Rubber Association of Canada says to put winter tires on once the temperature stays below 7°C. That's the rule we go by too. Don't wait for the first snowfall. By then everyone else is calling as well.
Beat the first-snow rush: Book a changeover · Book mount & balance · Call 905-231-2231
When people switch in Ajax, Pickering, Whitby and Oshawa
Across Durham, most drivers make the switch from late October through November. Early-morning temperatures usually start sitting under 7°C around then, even when the afternoons still feel mild.
If you drive early, commute on the 401 or the 412, or head north of Durham for the weekend, go earlier rather than later.
A quick note: Ontario doesn't make winter tires mandatory. Quebec does. There, winter tires are required on Quebec-plated vehicles from December 1 to March 15. If you're driving east for the holidays, that's one more reason to be ready.
Book early. The rush is real.
The first cold snap or snowfall fills every shop in the area within a day or two. Book in October or early November and you'll get a time that suits you, instead of whatever's left.
Booking online takes a minute:
Changeover (your winter tires are already on rims): book a changeover
Mount & balance (tires need to go onto rims): book mount & balance
Or see all times on our Book Online page.
Changeover or mount & balance: which one do you need?
This is the most common mix-up we see.
Changeover: your winter tires are already on their own wheels. We take one set off, put the other set on, and torque it to spec. From $60 + HST, plus $20 for large SUVs and trucks.
Mount & balance: your tires have to come off one set of rims and go onto another, then get balanced. This is a separate labour charge, priced by rim size, from $100 + HST for a set of 4. You'll find the full rim-size chart on our Tire Services page.
If you swap tires on the same rims every spring and fall, you pay mount & balance labour twice a year. A second set of wheels changes that.
Winter packages on steel or alloy wheels
Most of our winter customers go with a package: winter tires already mounted on their own wheels. After that, every season is a quick changeover.
Steel wheels: tough, simple and easy on the budget. Good for salt and potholes.
Alloy wheels: lighter and better looking, if you want your car to look right all winter.
Lug nuts, locks and hub rings are extra if your vehicle needs them. We test-fit before mounting. See what's available on our Winter Tires page.
Which winter tire? Three levels
We keep it simple:
Value: Antares. Solid winter grip at a good price, for normal commuting.
Mid-range: Kumho and Pirelli. A step up in ice and snow performance, and they stay quiet.
Premium: Michelin, Continental and Bridgestone. The best grip and longest wear, for people who drive a lot or just want the top end.
Not sure? Tell us how and where you drive and we'll point you to the right one. Browse sizes and prices on Shop Tires. Prices are + HST, plus a $6 per tire eco fee.
Check the rebates before you buy
Most major brands run mail-in or online rebates in the fall, usually on a set of four. Each brand has its own dates and claim deadline, and some end in early December. We keep the current list on our Offers page.
Come see us
Exclusive Wheel & Tire, 221 Westney Road South, Ajax. We serve Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa and the rest of Durham Region.
Monday to Friday 9 AM–5 PM. Saturday 9 AM–2 PM until Christmas. Call 905-231-2231 or book online.
FAQ
Is it too early to put winter tires on in October?
No. Once daytime temperatures stay under about 7°C, winter tires grip better than all-seasons. In Durham that's usually late October or November.
Are winter tires required in Ontario?
No. Ontario doesn't require them. Quebec does, for Quebec-plated vehicles, from December 1 to March 15.
What's the difference between a changeover and mount & balance?
A changeover swaps tires that are already on their own wheels, from $60 + HST. Mount & balance moves tires onto different rims and balances them. That's a separate labour charge by rim size, from $100 + HST for a set of 4.
Do you do winter tire and wheel packages?
Yes. We do winter packages on steel or alloy wheels, in value, mid-range and premium tire brands. Call 905-231-2231 or visit our Winter Tires page.
Ready for winter? Changeover from $60 + HST. Mount & balance from $100 + HST, priced by rim size. Book a changeover · Book mount & balance · Call 905-231-2231
More from the shop: Winter Tires · Tire Services & Prices · Shop Tires