Essential Winter Tire Maintenance Tips

Winter tires only work as designed when they're properly inflated, have enough tread and are stored well between seasons. These checks keep them safe through an Ottawa winter and help them last longer.

Regular Pressure Checks

Cold weather lowers tire pressure by about 7 kPa (1 psi) for every 5°C drop in temperature. Check your winter tire pressure at least once a month, when the tires are cold, and whenever the temperature drops sharply. Proper inflation keeps traction up and prevents uneven wear.

Tread Depth Monitoring

Transport Canada advises not to use tires worn close to 4 mm (5/32") on snow-covered roads. Use a tread depth gauge or the toonie test to monitor wear: push a toonie into the tread at the most worn spot with the polar bear facing up (paws toward the tread). If the tread covers the silver outer ring completely, the tire is roughly half worn; if the tread only reaches about halfway up the lower letters on the silver ring, it's time to replace the tire.

Visual Inspection

Regularly inspect your winter tires for signs of damage, including cuts, cracks, bulges, or embedded objects. Pay special attention to the sidewalls and tread area. Any visible damage should be addressed immediately by a professional tire technician.

Rotation Schedule

Rotate your winter tires as your owner's manual recommends, or about every 10,000 km, to keep wear even.

Storage Considerations

In the off-season, clean your winter tires and store them upright in a clean indoor spot, away from sunlight, heat, electric motors and fuel, as Transport Canada recommends. If they're on rims, lower the pressure to about 103 kPa (15 psi) for storage. Our tire storage guide has more detail.

At QuickStop Tire Ottawa, we recommend having your winter tires inspected during the season, so problems are caught before they become safety concerns. When it's time to put them on or take them off, see our seasonal tire change page.

Sources: Transport Canada: Using winter tires; Transport Canada: Winter tire safety tips; Transport Canada: Riding on Air; The Globe and Mail: the toonie tread test.

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