When to Replace Your Winter Tires

If you’ve lived through even one Alberta winter, you already know how crucial winter tires are. They’re your car’s first line of defense against ice, slush, and unpredictable cold snaps — but like any part of your vehicle, they don’t last forever.

So how do you know when it’s time to replace your winter tires? Here’s what every Alberta driver should check before the snow really starts flying.

1. The Magic Number: Tread Depth

Your tread depth is the biggest indicator of a winter tire’s health.

• New winter tires usually start with about 12/32″ of tread.
• Once they wear down to around 4/32″ (roughly 3 mm), their ability to grip ice and packed snow drops dramatically.

That’s because those deep grooves and tiny sipes (the little cuts in your tread) are what give your tire its biting edge. Once they’ve worn down, you might still have legal tread left — but you’ve already lost the performance that makes winter tires worth having in the first place.

How to check:

Use a toonie or tread gauge. If the outer silver band is showing above the tread, your tires are nearing replacement.

Check all four tires, especially the fronts — they tend to wear faster.

2. Look Beyond The Tread — Inspect For Wear and Damage

Even with decent tread, you may need replacements if your tires show any of these signs:

• Cracks or dry rot: Common after years of exposure or poor storage.
• Uneven wear: Could point to misalignment or suspension issues.
• Bulges or sidewall damage: Replace immediately — that’s a blowout risk waiting to happen.
• Vibration or noise: May mean internal belt separation or cupping.

If one tire shows serious damage, it’s best to replace the pair (front or rear) so the car maintains even grip and balance.

3. Age matters more than you think

Even if you barely drive on them, winter tires age. Rubber hardens over time, losing flexibility and traction — especially in cold weather.

As a general rule, replace winter tires that are more than 6 years old.
You can check the date code on the sidewall — it’s a 4-digit number (like 2619), meaning week 26 of 2019. If that number’s from a different decade, it’s time for new tires.

4. How Long Winter Tires Typically Last

For most Alberta drivers, a good set of winter tires will last 4 to 5 seasons. That’s assuming:

• You swap them off once temperatures rise above 7°C.
• You rotate them every 10,000–12,000 km.
• You store them in a cool, dry space away from direct sunlight.

Keep winter tires on too long into spring, and that soft rubber compound wears fast — it’s like sanding down a hockey puck on asphalt.

5. Calgary & Alberta-Specific Advice

Because Alberta’s weather swings from chinook warmth to blizzards overnight, many drivers underestimate how quickly conditions can change.

Here’s the local approach we recommend:

• Replace earlier, not later. Aim to have your winter tires inspected and measured in late September or early October — before shop schedules fill up.
• Check traction performance, not just tread. If you notice your tires slipping more than usual in slush or losing grip on cold mornings, that’s often the first real-world sign it’s time to replace.
• Watch for “half-worn” illusions. Tires might look fine when dry, but once the tread channels fill with ice, they perform like bald all-seasons.

6. Quick Decision Checklist

7. DriveePros Tip: Get Them Checked Before it Costs You!

The difference between a solid winter tire and a worn one can be the difference between stopping at the intersection or sliding through it.

Before the snow sets in, book a winter tire inspection with a trusted local shop. Every verified DriveePros partner can measure tread, check age and wear, and help you decide if your tires still have a season left in them — or if it’s time for an upgrade.

Final word

You don’t need to wait for your tires to fail a test — if your tread’s thin, the rubber’s old, or you’ve started losing confidence in how your car feels on slick roads, it’s time. Winter tires are your safety net on Alberta roads, and when they’re worn out, there’s no shortcut to replacing them.

Let DriveePros.com Help

From tire swaps to emergency boosts, our in-house pros deliver quick, dependable service so you can hit the road worry-free.

• Need your winter tires swapped out or checked? Book your Seasonal Tire Swap (on rim) through DriveePros and get it handled fast by a verified local pro.
• Not sure if it’s the right time to switch to winter tires? Check out our guide on When to Change to Winter Tires in Calgary for local insights and timing tips.