When to buy winter tires? As early as possible

TROUBLESHOOTER

If you ask anyone working in the retail tire industry, it seems every y e ar the first snowfall catches Canadian drivers by surprise. Weather forecasters can provide lots of warnings, but on the first day that white stuff actually accumulates on the roads, tire centres’ phones ring off the hook and the waiting lists for installations grow as long as an Alberta snow bank. If you’re wondering when’s the best time to buy snow tires and snag the best deals, read on.

Selection:

Tire distributors determine which sizes and makes to carry for the upcoming season long in advance, usually as early as February or March for the next winter. Their warehouses are usually stocked for winter tire sales by late August or early September. Waiting until even late October in most areas can run the risk of leaving consumers with fewer options. Delaying a purchase until the snow actually flies can turn an easy affair into a fruitless hunt and search mission, especially if your particular tire size isn’t common.

Pricing:

A lot of tire retailers will offer a buy-three- getone- free type of special on winter tires. It sounds great, until you read the fine print in most of these ads. They are often size- restricted, meaning larger and more expensive tires — an 18-inch rim diameter and up, for example — are excluded. And then there’s the matter of pricing for the three that consumers pay for. Manufacturer suggested retail pricing ( MSRP) for tires is very difficult to determine. Tire manufacturers’ websites don’t list MSRPs, so it’s difficult, if not impossible, for a shopper to know if they’re really paying for three or actually four, even when dealing with a trusted and credible retailer. One tactic is to call your retailer or check their online pricing for just one tire and then compare that to the buy-three- getone-free offer.

When to buy:

The absolute best time to get snow tires is when you purchase your vehicle in the first place. For instance, dealers can offer extremely competitive pricing, or even include a set of mounted units with rims as an incentive. But check the brand of tires that come with these deals; even a free set of snows won’t be worth the effort if they are brands with questionable wear ratings. In cases like these, you can always ask to upgrade to a better- known brand and pay the difference yourself.

When it comes to installation time, consider that tire shops have limited numbers of hoists and staff, and when everyone in the neighbourhood is clamouring for their snow tires on the first day of the white stuff, waiting lists will be long. You can avoid laying out your coin too early by doing some price shopping in September or early October, and then asking your retailer to hold your purchase until later in the fall.

Check for optional sizing:

If your ride is equipped with 18- inch rims or larger, you can expect to pay considerably higher prices for tires and rims. Most vehicles will accept smaller rims and tires, but check with your dealership or tire retailer to find out for sure. If you can swap 20-inch wheels for 17s, for example, the savings will be substantial and the smaller, narrower treads will give you much better handling on snow-covered roads.