The calendar is approaching the end of April.  The temperature seem to be staying consistently above zero and there's not much talk of snow in the forecast.  So we ask the question....is it safe to take off your winter tires?

According to a guy who ought to know these things, yes, it is safe to swap out your winter tires for summer treads.

David Morgan, the Manager of Fountain Tire in Airdrie says if snow comes, it shouldn't last....should it?  "If the snow is going to come it's going to come and its going to melt that same day or if not the next day for sure.  Depends on the confidence of the people that are driving the vehicles.  Obviously you don't want them having slush and have them driving in their summer tires if you can help that, but I know it's going to come and go as quickly as it comes."

Morgan says the warming temperatures make a difference in what kind of tire you need as well.  "Typically when its minus seven you definitely want to have your winter tires on yet, they won't freeze to the road if there is any rain or wet snow so you definitely want them on at that time.  Realistically at this time of the year, hopefully, its never going to get below that."

Airdrie drivers are wary about some large, spring storms that we've experienced in the past.  They really want to take off their winter tires, but it's hard to commit, according to Morgan.  "People are coming in and asking the question, 'should I take them off now.'  It depends on what the weather is like at that time if we recommend yes or no.  I had a lady in today that was actually going to put her summer tires on but she said 'no, I'm going to wait one more week, just to be safe.'"

For those of us who just keep the winter tires on year round, 'cause we're cheap, there's good news.  Morgan says you're not likely to damage anything by doing that.  

"Realistically I don't think there's any danger in doing that.  They're just going to give you the better traction in the winter and yes they will tend to wear down when it's 30 degrees outside or whatever but there really isn't any danger in that.  The rubber is typically a little softer than your summer tread more or less, so they might seem a little squirmier in the summer, but danger, there should not be any."

So there you have it.  Get your winter tires taken off any time now.  But it might be a good idea to check the forecast first.  

 

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