For over 80% of Canadian drivers, the seasonal switch-over from all-season (read summer) tires to winter/snow tires is an inevitable part of owning and operating a vehicle. That season is quickly approaching so here’s a little primer on what you can expect for costs and a few tips on saving some money.
Winter Tire Change Cost
Switching from summer to winter tires will cost you anywhere between CDN $120 to CDN $160 depending on the wheel size and the type of car.
Breakdown Of Costs
Installing and balancing one tire on a rim runs in the CDN $30-$40 range for most shops and some will charge more for larger units such as those over 20” in size. Multiply that times four (CDN $120-$160) and you get an idea of the bill you can expect. Installing a set of four tires already mounted on their own rims/wheels usually runs the same price as a simple tire rotation (CDN $30-$40 total); considerable savings over installing unmounted tires. So if you’ve got a relatively new vehicle and can get quality direct-fit winter rims for about CDN $100 each and tire pressure sensors for about the same price or less (CDN $800 pre-tax total), you can recoup those costs in 5 years of twice-a-year seasonal change-overs.
Why the ‘relatively new vehicle’ stipulation? Murphy ’s Law states that any new vehicle you buy, won’t take the same rims or tires as your trade-in. So if your current ride is due for replacement in the next 1-4 years, and you’ve been using winter tires without their own rims all along, you’re unlikely to recoup any costs of purchasing winter rims.
Alternative To Winter Tires
More and more tire manufacturers are now offering all-weather or 12-month tires which are winter rated (as indicated by the small mountain/snowflake symbol embossed on the sidewall). These run about the same price as summer tires and are usually a little more expensive than traditional snows. There are some minor drawbacks. All-weather tires won’t last quite as long as summers and won’t necessarily provide the same grip as true snows, but they are a viable alternative in more temperate climates that can save serious money even though they may require more frequent replacement.
Don’t Delay Winter Tire Change
If you wait until the first snow fall to call your service provider for a tire appointment, be prepared for a major wait. Repair shops of all types aren’t oversized nor overstaffed, so when all of their customers call at the same time for a seasonal tire change appointment, there’s an inevitable backlog. Make your appointment early; the first half of October isn’t too soon, and remember to have your vehicle’s wheel nuts retorqued or retightened after 100 km or so. If there’s anything worse than driving on tires not sufficient for winter, it’s losing one on the highway.
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