Too early to change over to winter tires?

[JACKIE26]

2 of the tires are on my car are basically down to the wear bars and then some. So they need to be replaced. However, I am trying to decide whether I can still squeeze a couple of months out of them, but am worried beacuse the tread is down to the wear bars that its not safe to keep riding on them.
I don't really want to spend the money right now for the two new tires and was hoping to put it off until spring. (I replaced the other 2 tires in the spring so they are fine, and I have them on the front drive wheels. The two worn tires are on the back.)

So I was thinking of doing my switch over to my winter tires early this year (basically now).

I would switch all 4 tires over to the winter now they are all mounted on there own seperate set of steel wheels.

Want to see if anyone had any thoughts on whether it was okay to switch over to the winters now.

[DragonZealot]

The rubber on winter tires is softer compared to all seasons and thus will wear out quite a bit faster at above freezing temperatures. Your gas mileage will drop as well.

These are the considerations.

[danfromwaterloo]

Well, look at it this way:

You need two (maybe four) new tires. Now or then doesn't matter - other than budgetary reasons. If you switch to your winters, you'll wear them out faster (seeing as you'll be using them two months longer than normal).

So really, the question is not should you change it now or later, but do you want to wear your snow tires more?

Because of the lack of snow, you'll probably wear them faster - snow tires tend to be softer rubber in regular temperatures...

[bizzyseller]

Its okay... but you will just be wearing out your winter tires faster than normal. I think the temp is ~7 degrees celcius where all seasons and winters perform "the same".

Work out your costs, is it worth it for you to wear your tires a bit more, or just replace 2 tires now?

[Pete_Coach]

If your tires are down to the wear bars you will have serious problems, particularily in wet and in the upcoming cold mornings. Wet roads, smooth tires = accident waiting to happen.
You will sacrifice your winter tires by putting them on early but it is better than the tires you presently have. I am assuming that you are putting off buying new tires till next spring?

[yelworC_]

Don't put winter tires yet. At current temperature they will wear out faster but more importantly pose safety risk - their traction is far worse than three season (there is no such thing as all-canada-season) or summer tires (braking distance is longer, etc.)

[Ryus]

Just buy 2 new tires now, you're gonna have to anyways. I don't think the cost of 2 tires are gonna cause you to be bankrupt.

Anyways, your safety (as well as other drivers around you) is most important, and you cannot put a price to that.

[mudmojo]

You already replaced one axle's worth of tires but not the other.
You already put the new tires up front yet the rear tires have no tread on them.

Safety no no's right there. So while you may or may not listen to good advice (and that's fine) do know that running winter tires in the summer is nowhere near as dangerous as running summer tires in the winter.

The coefficient of friction will not be zero or near zero... it will be quite manageable if you exercise common sense out there.

[dgs]

Winter tires are not good in the rain - I would replace the summer tires now rather than switch to winters. One accident in heavy rain will cost a lot more than 2 summer tires - just think of it as an investment.

[warpdrive]

yes, too early. I'd wait until November

Winter tires are usually designed to work well under 7 degress C where summer tires start losing lots of traction

[maniacshopper]

Is your car FF, if so then move them to the rear.
If your car is FF, you need front traction the most.

Do you use winter rims for your winters?
If so, then it doesn't matter if you buy your summers/all seasons now or not. As dealers are trying to move out the summers in prep for winters.

[JACKIE26]

I think I will just get 2 new ones. I didn't want to spend the money right now. But I don't want to wear out my snows they are brand new.

So if anyone knows where I can get a good deal on two BF Goodrich Traction TA's in a 195/55/15 let me know.

[Evil Baby]

If you don't want to spend too much money just but 2 used tires for now. Depending on the size of the tire I think you can get them for $20 - $30 each.

When I lived in Thorold I used to get them from the auto wreckers. In Toronto they have actual shops dedicated to selling used tires. So I'd check the phone book first under Tires, and see if there are any dedicated used tire stores, if not call the closest auto wrecker.

[JACKIE26]

Evil Baby (or anyone else), do you have any place you can recommend to get used tires.

Lookign for someplace in the Oakville/Burlington or Hamilton area.

[canadiantofu]

It depends how much driving you do... If it's a weekend car... and you are only going to put 1-2k on them before winter.... does it really matter?

[D-3vil]

Evil Baby (or anyone else), do you have any place you can recommend to get used tires.

Lookign for someplace in the Oakville/Burlington or Hamilton area.
ask your mechanic, he knows for sure.

[kmltick]

I think I will just get 2 new ones. I didn't want to spend the money right now. But I don't want to wear out my snows they are brand new.

So if anyone knows where I can get a good deal on two BF Goodrich Traction TA's in a 195/55/15 let me know.

The Traction T/As (in that size) were around $140 / tire at Costco, that includes installation and balance I think. I had 2 of those exact same tires put on my GFs car when one of her crappy Michelin XGTV4s went flat.

[airodus]

I don't know if what you budget is, but you can get Nokian WR tires. They are all season rubber with a winter tire grip. They work just as well as most winter tires in the snow, and work ok in the summer too.

Normally I wouldn't recommend all seasons in the snow, but these tires are an exception.

However, they aren't the cheapest tires around ($150-$200 each). Still cheaper than 2 complete sets + steelies.

[plucky duck]

I don't know if what you budget is, but you can get Nokian WR tires. They are all season rubber with a winter tire grip. They work just as well as most winter tires in the snow, and work ok in the summer too.

Normally I wouldn't recommend all seasons in the snow, but these tires are an exception.

However, they aren't the cheapest tires around ($150-$200 each). Still cheaper than 2 complete sets + steelies.

These are the tires I got last winter. Paid a grand for all 4, no regrets at all. I even use them for summers (which I really should as I drive hard and take fast corners and wear them out a bit) and perform well in the rain, even when I push the vehicle to its limits.

I'm going back to Falken 451s next summer though. Won't feel as guilty wearing out cheapie tires.

[Evil Baby]

Evil Baby (or anyone else), do you have any place you can recommend to get used tires.

Lookign for someplace in the Oakville/Burlington or Hamilton area.


When I lived in Thorold I used to get them from the auto wreckers. In Toronto they have actual shops dedicated to selling used tires. So I'd check the phone book first under Tires, and see if there are any dedicated used tire stores, if not call the closest auto wrecker.

[hightech]

I run 2 sets of tires:

Winters - Nov to April
Summer/All Season - May to Oct

[ar_ken]

just look on the various car forums (vwvortex, maxbimmer, etc) and look for people selling used tires. Usually people sell a whole set of their OEM tires since they replaced it with summer performance rubber. A lot of them are like new or at least 80%+ thread left. Usually they unload it for cheap too (I've seen under $400 for a set). another thing to consider eh?

[plucky duck]

Blaskin and Lane has a used tire section last time I went. Not sure if it's store specific though.

[FastFokker]

Didn't read the thread.. but I'll say, running on good winter tires prematurely is better than running on worn out all seasons now.

[climacus]

You don't want to be running bald tires deep into October. Why? Cause it's going to be cold, rainy and there will be wet leaves on the ground. Every year I'm caught surprised by diminishing traction right around Thanksgiving.

[radeonboy]

dont be a cheapass and risk your life. if you are a cheap ass just buy 2 used tires from the auto wreckers.

[kbjy11]

what size tires are you looking for?