No need for drivers to rush on winter tire change: expert

Warm temperatures this past week had drivers heading to the shop for the seasonal tire switch.  

“Since Monday we’ve seen a huge increase in our business,” said Len Ritchot, general manager with Saskatoon Market Tire.

Despite the influx, Richot said people don’t need to swap out their winter tires until the end of April.

“When you start getting temperatures in the mid 20’s in May, that’s when to get them off,” he said.

He noted, however, studs should come off in the next week or so.

“They tend to skate a bit on the dry pavement when it warms up,” he said.

CKOM traffic expert Jay Thomas said he’s getting his tires changed this week.

“I’m planning to change them because it’s pretty warm out,” he said.

“It’s tough to judge because there’s still a risk of snow this time of year, but generally you don’t want to wait too long either as they start to melt.”