When to swap in Ontario
The rule of thumb: switch when the average daily temperature crosses 7°C. Below 7°C, summer and all-season tires harden and lose grip — winter compound stays flexible. Above 7°C, winter tires wear faster and handle worse.
- •Fall → Winter swap: mid-to-late November most years (typical Etobicoke weather)
- •Spring → Summer swap: mid-April to early May
- •Book 2–3 weeks ahead during peak weeks — November and April are our busiest
- •Walk-in weekdays usually possible in off-peak weeks
- •For leased vehicles, check your lease agreement — some require dealer-service stamps for seasonal swaps
Two types of swaps — which do you have?
Which service you need depends on how you store your off-season tires:
Tires on their own rims (faster, cheaper)
- ·If you have a second set of wheels with tires mounted, we literally just swap wheels
- ·No mounting, no balancing needed (already done previous season)
- ·30 minutes total
- ·Ideal — most common setup we see
Tires off rims (needs dismount/mount)
- ·Single set of rims, tires swap onto them each season
- ·We dismount summer tires, mount winter tires (or vice versa)
- ·Balance each wheel after mounting
- ·60–75 minutes total
- ·More work, more wear on tire beads over time
- ·We recommend you invest in a second set of rims — pays off in 2–3 seasons
What we include in every swap
Beyond just putting tires on:
- •Road-force balancing — detects and corrects wheel + tire imbalance
- •Torque to manufacturer spec with calibrated torque wrench — not air gun
- •TPMS sensor programming for new tire positions (if equipped)
- •Air pressure set to factory spec (usually on door jamb sticker)
- •Visual inspection of tread depth, sidewall condition, wheel bearings
- •Road test at highway speed to confirm no vibration
- •21-day free rebalance if any wheel feels off after
Tire storage — for drivers without garage space
Condo residents, apartment dwellers, or anyone without a clean dry garage: seasonal rate for a set of four, we store off-season tires in our facility.
- •Clean, dry, climate-stable storage — not damaging concrete floor contact
- •Each set photographed at drop-off and return
- •Tagged with your vehicle and contact info
- •Lost or damaged tires covered by our storage guarantee
- •Book storage when you swap — we take the off-season set directly after the swap
- •Popular option — we handle ~200 stored sets in peak winter
Pricing & timing
Combined swap + storage + alignment is our most popular package. We offer discounted pricing when you bundle all three — ask when you book.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need winter tires in Ontario by law?
Not legally required in Ontario (unlike Quebec). However, Insurance Bureau of Canada mandates premium discounts if you do use them, and you'll get better grip and shorter stopping distances from mid-November to mid-April. All-seasons harden below 7°C and lose significant grip.
How long does a seasonal swap take?
Tires already on their own rims: 30 minutes. Tires off rims (need dismount/mount/balance): 60–75 minutes. Walk-ins usually accommodated weekdays — call ahead for Saturdays.
Do I need to rebalance every time I swap?
No — if tires are already on their own rims and balanced previously, they stay balanced from season to season. We always do a visual check and torque to spec. If you feel vibration after swap, come back within 21 days for free rebalance.
What about the TPMS light?
Each tire has a pressure sensor that needs programming when moved. We include TPMS programming in every swap. If a sensor has failed, we can replace it at our sensor replacement rate. Light usually resolves after a few minutes of driving post-programming.
Can I store my tires at your shop over summer?
Yes — per-season rate for a set of four. Clean, dry, climate-stable facility. We photograph the set at drop-off so there's no dispute on condition at return. Book your storage slot at swap time — space is limited, especially May–October.
My tires are brand-new — should I wait a season to swap?
Brand-new tires can be swapped safely — just make sure they're the correct season for current weather. We'll check tread depth and condition regardless of age, and let you know if anything looks off.
Do you torque by hand or by air gun?
Calibrated torque wrench, by hand, every single swap. Air guns over-torque and damage threads, rotors, and hubs over time. This matters more than most shops admit — it's one of the things we don't cut corners on.