The signs a tire is finished
- Tread at or below 3 millimetres, measured in the centre grooves with a gauge.
- Wear bars flush with the tread surface.
- Sidewall cracking or bulging, which is a failure risk regardless of tread.
- Vibration or uneven wear that suggests alignment or suspension issues.
- Winter tires below 4 millimetres, at which point the rubber compound stops gripping ice.
When to swap, not replace
In most of Canada, winter tires from roughly October to April and all season or all weather the rest of the year is the practical pattern. Quebec requires winter tires by law during the cold months.
Cost against the loan
A set of tires is one of the maintenance costs that determines whether keeping the vehicle is sensible. If the car has years of payments left, tires are almost always the cheaper decision.
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Frequently asked questions
Typically 60,000 to 100,000 kilometres depending on compound, driving style and rotation habits. Winter tires wear faster in warm weather.
In milder coastal regions, often. In prairies and northern provinces, dedicated winter tires perform noticeably better on ice.
Ideally yes on all wheel drive vehicles, to avoid drivetrain strain from mismatched diameters.