Don’t Ignore You’re Overworn Winter Tires!
How Do You Know If You Need New Winter Tires?
We’ve reached Tire Swap Season 2025. Now is the perfect time to make your appointment to swap out your summer tires for a set of winter tires. Some people might be at the point of vehicle ownership where it might be time to purchase a new set of winter tires. So, how do you know if you need new winter tires? Our team of expert service technicians place the lifespan of winter tires around four to six seasons, or around 64,000 kilometres. Let’s take a closer look at some signs you shouldn’t ignore if your winter tires are hitting those marks.
READ MORE: Car Problems You Shouldn’t Ignore
Check Tread Depth Without Tools
The most likely sign you’ll need a new set of winter tires this year is an insufficient tread depth. Certainly, anytime you bring your car, truck or SUV to our service department, our team will check your tires, but it’s also easy to do without tools – just find a toonie.
Toonie Tire Tread Test
Take a toonie and place it in the tire’s tread with the bear’s paws down. If the tread:
- Reaches the paws, your tires are fine
- Crosses the outer silver ring, the tread is at about 50 percent
- Only reaches about halfway to the letters; it’s time to shop for new tires.
This video clearly shows how the toonie test works.
Find The Date Code To Check Tire Age
Every tire sold in Canada uses a four-digit code to indicate when it was manufactured. To determine how old a tire is, find the DOT mark and find the 13-character alphanumeric code. The last four numbers indicate when that tire rolled out of the factory. For instance, if the last four numbers read 1520, that means it was made during the 15th week of 2020. If the tire is more than six years old, it’s a good idea to look for other physical signs of age.
More Signs of Tire Age
Cracks in a tire’s sidewall are a sure sign that it needs to be replaced. This can indicate that the rubber is drying out and losing its flexibility, possibly compromising safety. Additionally, look at the tire’s tread wear. If the tread on all four tires has worn down unevenly, a professional from our service department should take a look at them as soon as possible.
Make an appointment with the Downtown Tyee Service Department if there is something we can do to make your winter travels a little less stressful.