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For drivers in Ontario, winter throws some pretty unique curveballs, like those surprise snow squalls and that sneaky black ice. As the seasons shift, a common question pops up for folks behind the wheel: how long are these winter tires really gonna last? It’s not as simple as you’d think because the answer isn’t just one number—it’s all about a bunch of important factors coming into play. This guide is here to be your go-to resource, giving you the know-how to make smart choices and keep your cars winter-ready for many seasons ahead. The Expected Lifespan of Your Winter Tires When it comes to the lifespan of a set of winter tires, there's a widely accepted industry standard. With proper maintenance, a set can provide reliable service for anywhere from four to six seasons. If you are particularly meticulous with your vehicle care and drive fewer kilometres annually, it is possible to extend this lifespan even further, with some reporting up to eight years of use from a single set. The lifespan of your tires is heavily influenced by how many kilometres you drive each month and whether you are driving on snow-covered roads or a mix of frozen, dry roads. Winter Tires vs. All-Season Tires A set of all-season tires is engineered to handle a broader range of conditions and can last, on average, five to seven years. The practice of swapping between a set of winter and all-season tires is the single most effective strategy for maximizing the life of both sets, as leavingwinter tires on during warmer temperatures will increase their wear. Factors That Affect Your Winter Tire Life A tire's longevity is not pre-determined by its design alone; it is a direct result of how you interact with the vehicle and its environment. Several key factors can either extend a tire's life or cause it to wear out long before its time. Driving Habits Your driving style plays a significant role in how quickly a set of tires will wear. Aggressive Driving: Rapid acceleration, hard braking, and sharp cornering can significantly accelerate tire wear. High Speed: High-speed driving generates a considerable amount of heat within the tire, which is particularly problematic for winter tire compounds designed to stay flexible in cold temperatures. Smooth and Cautious Driving:Engaging in smooth accelerations, turns, and stops can add years to a tire's effective service life. Your Driving Environment The environment in which a vehicle is driven is a silent but significant contributor to tire wear. Road Salt and Chemicals: The use of road salt and de-icing chemicals, while essential for safety, can degrade the rubber in winter tires over time. This can be mitigated by rinsing your tires after exposure. Temperature Fluctuations:Southern Ontario experiences frequent and dramatic freeze-thaw cycles that subject the tire rubber to repeated stress, making it more susceptible to wear. Potholes and Road Debris: Hitting a pothole or driving over road debris can inflict structural damage on a tire's internal components, leading to bulges, cracks, or blowouts. The Importance of Proper Tire Pressure Maintaining correct tire pressure is arguably the most crucial and easiest factor to control. Temperature Impact: As a rule of thumb, a tire's pressure decreases by approximately 1 to 2 PSI for every 10°C drop in temperature. This means that on a frigid day where the temperature plummets to-30°C, a tire that was properly inflated at 0°C can lose a substantial amount of pressure. Even Wear: An underinflated or overinflated tire loses its optimal shape, leading to uneven wear patterns that will prematurely end the tire's life. Optimal Performance: Proper inflation helps the tread pattern effectively channel snow and slush away from the contact patch, improving grip and handling. Recommended Checks: It is recommended to check your tire pressure at least every two weeks. Proactive Maintenance Extends Tire Life The secret to getting the most out of a set of tires is not just in how they are driven but in the care they receive. Regular, professional maintenance services are a vital investment that protects your asset for the long term. Winter Tire Rotation The practice of tire rotation is a simple yet powerful maintenance procedure that ensures a set of tires wears evenly and lasts as long as possible. Recommended Interval: The recommended interval for a tire rotation is typically every 8,000 to 10,000 kilometres or in conjunction with a vehicle's regularly scheduled oil changes. Benefits: By rotating the tires, a technician ensures that the wear is evenly distributed across all four corners, maximizing the total lifespan of the set. Wheel Alignment and Suspension While you may not see a direct connection between your vehicle's alignment and the condition of the tires, the two are inextricably linked. Uneven Wear: Misaligned wheels can cause uneven and premature tire wear, a problem that is often difficult for you to detect until it is too late. Warning Signs: Misalignment can lead to irregular wear patterns such as heel/toe, feather edge, or one-sided shoulder wear. Preventative Care: Regularly checking a vehicle's alignment and ensuring the suspension and braking systems are in good working order can prevent premature tire wear. Off-Season Storage: Protecting Your Investment Once the season for winter tires has passed, the way they are stored is just as critical as how they are used. Improper storage can significantly shorten a tire's lifespan due to the degradation of its rubber compound. Ideal Conditions: The ideal conditions for off-season storage are a cool, dry, and dark environment, away from direct sunlight, high humidity, and ozone-emitting equipment like furnaces or generators. Preparation is Key: Tires should be thoroughly cleaned and dried before they are stored to prevent deterioration and dry rot. Proper Positioning: To prevent deformities and flat spots, tires should ideally be stored vertically. If stacking, limit the stack height to no more than four tires. Professional Storage: Professional tire storage services provide a climate-controlled, secure environment that protects your investment by mitigating the risks of heat, light, and chemical degradation. Knowing When to Replace: Winter Tires On Sale Knowing when to replace a set of winter tires is a matter of safety, not just convenience. There are several clear indicators that signal a tire has reached the end of its useful life. Tread Depth: A winter tire's ability to provide superior traction is significantly diminished when the tread depth is below 6 millimetres. While the legal minimum tread depth in Ontario is 1.5 millimetres, this is far too shallow for a winter tire to perform effectively on snow and ice. The Toonie Test: A simple, albeit baseline, tool for a quick check is the toonie test. By placing a toonie in a tire's tread, you can perform a simple check; if the silver portion is covered, the tire has more than 6 millimetres of tread remaining. Tire Age: Rubber compounds degrade over time due to exposure to oxygen and temperature changes, regardless of how many kilometres the tire has been driven.4 Most manufacturers and experts recommend replacing tires that are six to ten years old to ensure maximum safety and performance. Visible Damage: A professional inspection can identify visible signs of damage, like cracks in the sidewall, bulges, or punctures, which can compromise a tire's structural integrity and necessitate an immediate replacement. When a tire set exhibits any of these signs, it is time to look for a winter tire sale and invest in a new set for the coming seasons. Winter Tire Inspection Checklist This table provides a simple guide for you to check the condition of your winter tires and determine if a replacement is necessary. Inspection Method How to Check What It Means Tread Wear Indicators Locate the small bars or raised sections in the main grooves of the tire. When the tread blocks are worn down to be even with these indicators, the tire has reached the legal minimum depth and is no longer safe for winter use. The Toonie Test Insert a toonie into a tire's tread groove with the polar bear facing down. If the polar bear's paws are hidden, you have more than 6 millimetres of tread. Age of Tire Look for the four-digit DOT code on the tire's sidewall. The first two digits are the week, the last two are the year of manufacture. Most manufacturers recommend replacing tires six to ten years after their production date, regardless of tread depth, due to rubber degradation. Visible Damage Visually inspect the tire for any cuts, punctures, or signs of dry rot. Noticeable cracks on the sidewall, unusual bulges, or embedded debris can compromise the tire's structural integrity and warrant immediate replacement. Finding Good Winter Tires When it is time for a new set of tires, the selection process can be daunting. Not all tires are created equal, and choosing the right ones is a key part of ensuring winter safety. The Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Symbol: The first step is to ensure the tire is a true winter tire, identified by the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol on its sidewall. This symbol signifies that the tire has been specifically tested and certified to provide superior acceleration and braking traction in snow. Top Brands: It is prudent to consider brands with a proven track record in the Canadian market. Reputable brands like Michelin, Bridgestone, Nokian, and Continental offer tire models specifically engineered for the unique challenges of Canadian winters. Popular Models: Popular options for passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks include the Michelin X-Ice Snow, Bridgestone Blizzak WS90, and Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5. These premium tires, with their advanced technology and specialized compounds, deliver shorter braking distances and better handling, which can help you avoid a costly collision. Your Partner in Winter Readiness: Midway Nissan For drivers in the Whitby area, the comprehensive solution for all things winter tires begins and ends at Midway Nissan. Located at 1300 Dundas St. East in Whitby, ON, Midway Nissan is a trusted local partner for vehicle maintenance and tire services. The dealership’s service centre is staffed with certified Nissan technicians who possess the expertise to provide the highest level of care for your Nissan vehicle. Midway Nissan provides a holistic solution for the entire tire lifecycle. This includes the sale and installation of a wide selection of good winter tires from top brands, with competitive pricing and promotions often available through a winter tire sale.

Award Winning SUVs, Sedans & Trucks Nissan has achieved the highest ranking among mass market brands in the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), securing the second position in the industry overall. This esteemed benchmark of new-vehicle quality is derived from owner feedback collected during the initial 90 days of ownership. The J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study, which assesses issues per 100 vehicles, revealed that Nissan recorded the fewest problems per 100 vehicles among all mass market competitors, highlighting notable advancements in quality and customer experience. Several Nissan models stood out in their respective segments: Nissan Altima – Ranked highest in the Midsize Car segment Nissan Sentra – Ranked highest in the Compact Car segment Nissan Rogue, Frontier, and Pathfinder – Each placed among the top three in their respective segments Nissan’s acknowledgment by J.D. Power as the leading mass market brand in initial quality underscores the company’s dedication to creating vehicles that prioritize quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction. Kicks & Murano Named Most Dependable The Nissan Kicks was named Most Dependable Small SUV, while the Nissan Murano was named Most Dependable Midsize SUV. The all-new 2025 Nissan Kicks, introduced last year, features a street-smart design, unexpected levels of available technology, a versatile interior and best-in-class standard ground clearance. The new model offers enhanced confidence behind the wheel with Kicks-first available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive and available ProPILOT Assist for highway driving. The all-new 2025 Nissan Murano was launched in late 2024, and pairs stunning design with premium features and seamless connectivity. Its bold new look is combined with a powerful, advanced 241-horsepower, 2.0-litre VC-Turbo powertrain. Murano helps drivers stay connected with available Google built-in, and enhances driver confidence with standard Nissan Safety Shield® 360 and new driver-assistance technology, including available Invisible Hood View. Nissan’s recognition by J.D. Power as the top-performing Mass-Market brand in initial quality reflects the company’s customer-centric commitment to producing vehicles that deliver quality and customer satisfaction.

We are proud to support the 2025 IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s in Durham Region! Join us on Saturday, May 24th at Cullen Central Park, Whitby. As a sponsor, we are excited to be part of this important event that helps raise funds for vital programs and services for those impacted by dementia in our community. These funds directly benefit individuals living with dementia, as well as their families and care partners.Join us in supporting this meaningful cause and making a difference. Registration to walk and donations can be made through the official walk page here: www.walkdurham.ca.