A winter tyre change is easiest when you do it before the first frost catches you out, not during the queue at the tyre shop. The short answer: check your tread and tyre age now, book or plan your swap, and put the winter set on a little early. In Finland, winter tyres are required from 1 November to 31 March when conditions call for them, according to Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, and the same logic applies to any country with cold, wet autumns.
Why the timing of your winter tyre change matters
Summer tyres are built for warm roads, and they stiffen as the temperature drops. That is why many drivers feel the car getting twitchy on cold, damp mornings long before any snow arrives. Traficom puts it simply: it is better to change a week too early than a day too late. Non-studded winter tyres can be fitted early without any real downside, so there is little reason to wait.
If your local rules set a start date, treat it as the last possible day rather than the target. Garages fill up quickly in the weeks around the first cold snap, and an early appointment also leaves time to fix surprises such as a damaged wheel or a worn-out set.
Check your tread depth before you swap
Old winter tyres that look fine can still be too worn to grip well. Walk around the car and look at the main grooves on all four tyres, not only the front pair. Uneven wear is a clue that something else, like alignment, needs attention.
- Legal minimum: Traficom says passenger car winter tyres need main grooves at least 3.0 mm deep, while summer tyres need 1.6 mm.
- Practical target: for slush, snow and other tricky conditions, the same agency recommends at least 5 mm.
- How to measure: a cheap tread depth gauge from any car shop is more accurate than a coin and takes seconds.
If the tyres are close to the minimum, replace them now. A tyre that passes by a whisker in October will not feel safe in January.
Look at the age and condition of the tyres
Tread is only half of the story. Every tyre has a four-digit date code on the sidewall: the first two digits show the week of manufacture and the last two show the year. Traficom notes that tyres can harden and lose grip after about six years depending on storage, and that they are usually considered expired ten years after manufacture.
Also look for cracks in the sidewall, bulges, embedded nails and stones, and, if you run studded tyres, missing or loose studs. Any of these is a reason to ask a professional to take a closer look.
Know which winter tyre you are buying
Not every tyre sold as a winter tyre is the same. The most reliable marking is the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol, known as 3PMSF, which Traficom names as the best way to identify a true winter tyre. Beyond that, the choice is between two types:
- Non-studded (friction) tyres: best on snowy roads and a good all-round choice for city driving.
- Studded tyres: grip better on ice, but they wear the road more and release fine particles, so use them only if your roads really need them.
How to do the swap at home or at the garage
If you change wheels yourself, work on level, solid ground and use proper jack stands rather than trusting the jack alone. Loosen the wheel bolts slightly before lifting the car, tighten them in a criss-cross pattern, and use a torque wrench set to the figure in your owner manual. After a short drive, re-check that the bolts are still tight.
While the wheels are off, it is a good moment to glance at the brakes and give the wheel arches a rinse. Our guide to essential car maintenance tips covers the other basics worth checking at the same time, and a quick proper car wash before winter also helps you spot stone chips and early rust.
Once the tyres are on, check the pressure. Cold air lowers tyre pressure, so use the values from your car door sticker or manual and top up at the next fuel stop if needed.
Store the summer set properly
Clean the wheels, mark each one with its position, and keep them out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place. Tyres on rims can be stacked flat or hung, while loose tyres are better stood upright. Good storage keeps the rubber in better shape, so the set is ready next spring.
Frequently asked questions
When should I do my winter tyre change?
Do it before the first frost and ideally a week or two ahead of any legal start date. Early is safer than late, especially with non-studded tyres.
Can I use winter tyres all year?
You can drive on them in summer, but they are made for cold conditions and will wear faster on warm roads, so most drivers switch back in spring.
Do I need to replace all four tyres at once?
Mixing very different tyres can change how the car handles, so ask a tyre professional what suits your vehicle if you only want to replace one pair.
Your next step
Pick a date this week, check the tread and the date codes, and book the swap. A ten-minute inspection now saves a stressful morning later and keeps you safely on the road when winter arrives.