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Winter Tire Swap Guide: When to Change Your Winter Tires & Why

Winter & Summer Tire Swaps at Lally Kia in Chatham, ON

When temperatures trend above 7°C for 7 days, it’s time to take off your Kia’s winter tires and swap in your summer/performance set. Because their rubber compound is softer to withstand freezing winter temperatures, winter tires can’t withstand temperatures above 7°C, and present a safety risk when faced with Canada’s gorgeous summer days. Conversely, summer tires won’t tolerate ice and snow, but are ideal for high speeds and performance on warm or rain-slick roads. Preserve the longevity of your winter tires and set your Kia up for the best performance possible this spring & summer with a quick and easy tire swap at Lally Kia in Chatham, ON! Keep reading to understand when to change your tires and why, and schedule your service appointment now!

Learn more about Kia tires at Kia.ca.

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When to Take Off Winter Tires: What is the 7-7 Rule?

When preparing to switch out your winter tires, we advise you to go by the 7-7 Rule: when temperatures trend above 7°C for 7 days, it’s likely safe to remove winter tires in exchange for summer/performance tires without worrying about an unexpected winter storm or final cold snap.

Why Should You Take Off Winter Tires?

Winter tires are the equivalent to winter boots for your vehicle: they’re designed with a deep, heavy tread that excels when navigating snow and ice, but aren’t well suited to Canada’s sweltering summers. For summer’s hot road surfaces, you want summer/performance tires (the sneakers of the tire world), which hold their shape in summer temperatures and keep you 100% in control at high speeds thanks to their harder rubber compound and narrower, lighter tread. Ask our Kia-certified technicians at Lally Kia for more information about which tires are right for you and schedule a service appointment to easily outfit your vehicle for spring.

How Long Should Winter Tires Last?

If properly stored during the off-season and regularly changed according to manufacturer recommendations and the 7-7 rule, a quality set of winter tires should last you anywhere from 3 to 6 seasons (or 30,000 - 50,000 km). To help you get the most out of your tires, we sell only Kia-Approved winter and summer sets, so you can trust that you’re making a wise investment. Book a service appointment with us today to make the swap and start enjoying spring’s warmer, longer days!

Book Your Seasonal Tire Change Service at Lally Kia in Chatham, ON

When it’s time to swap your tires or invest in a new set, think Lally Kia in Chatham, ON: your one-stop shop for Kia Genuine accessories, tires, parts, and services. From tire swaps and balancing, to oil changes and brake checks, we’re here to help year-round with preparing your Kia for the season ahead! Need assistance? Give us a call, stop by the dealership, or schedule your appointment with our Kia-certified technicians!

Learn more about Kia tires at Kia.ca.