In Toronto, most drivers swap to winter tires between late October and early December. The real rule of thumb is temperature, not the calendar.
The official window
Winter tires are designed to perform best below 7°C. Once overnight lows consistently drop into that range, it is time to book your changeover.
Insurance savings
Many Toronto insurers offer a discount for installing winter tires — usually requiring them to be on by a specific date in November. Check your policy details.
- Install by mid-November to qualify for most discounts
- Keep them on until sustained temps stay above 7°C
- Store off-season tires cool, dry and bagged
Signs it's time to swap back
Watch the long-range forecast. A stretch of warm days means your winter tires will wear fast on warm pavement — and it is time for your summer set.
"Temperature, not the first snowfall, should dictate your changeover date."