Winter Tire Installation: Expert Tips You Should Know

Winter is coming; depending on who you ask, it may already be here. What's certain is that Thanksgiving is right around the corner, which means you may need to install winter tires soon. As you may already know, winter tires are pretty much essential in areas with frequent heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures.

These tires provide more than adequate traction in such conditions and their rubber compound is optimized to remain flexible when it's freezing outside. In other words, these tires will ensure you arrive where you need to go even during severe winter weather. However, the winter tire installation process isn't something most folks look forward to.

Although relatively simple, replacing one season tires with the others is a tedious and time-consuming process. But, worry not, as we're here to help guide you through this process seamlessly. While we're at it, we might as well go over what tools you'll need, provide you with some expert tips, and mention a few common mistakes you should avoid. So, let's get to it, shall we?

Tools and Equipment Needed

Before we get into the thick of it, let's take a look at all the tools you'll need to successfully and efficiently install winter tires. For starters, you'll need a lug wrench, torque wrench, jack, and jack stands. Those are the essentials required to lift the car, remove old tires and replace them with winter models.

Aside from that, you should get your hands on some gloves, just to avoid getting your hands dirty, an anti-seize compound, and a tire pressure gauge. The anti-seize compound is pretty much a lubricant that works wonders against seizing, galling, corrosion, and other similar pesky issues that may hinder your work.

In most cases, lug nuts on the wheel might seize up and refuse to give in even if you put a lot of pressure on them with a wrench. So, in order to avoid breaking something, simply spray the nuts and wait a few moments for the compound to do its magic. As for the tire pressure gauge, you should always check tire inflation levels to ensure everything is as it should be.

Step-by-Step Guide to Winter Tire Installation

Now comes the fun part where you actually get to replace off-season tires with winter variants. Don't worry as this process isn't nearly as bad as some people make it out to be. Sure, it requires attention to details and the right set of tools, but that doesn't mean you need to be a mechanic in order to properly replace your tires. In any event, let's examine the entire process in detail.

Preparing Your Vehicle and Tires

First of all, you should find a place where you'll have enough space to work. For example, a front or backyard would be ideal due to open space and no pedestrian or vehicle traffic to worry about. If you have a garage, that will work too, but as long as it's spacious enough. After all, you don't want to damage your stuff, your car, or your tires. Once you find the right space, make sure everything you need is there and within reach so you can simplify the process as much as possible.

Loosen the Lug Nuts

While your car is still on the ground, it's time to loosen the lug nuts, so grab a lug or torque wrench and have at them. Keep in mind that you don't want to loosen them completely or remove them for that matter. Just go for it until you reach the point where you can manage the rest by hand and leave it at that.

Lifting the Vehicle Safely

Now, it's time to lift the vehicle from the ground just enough so that you can easily remove the wheels. Lift too high and you may damage your car, perhaps even flip it over. That said, 1-2" clearance is more than enough for you to do what needs to be done. Moreover, make sure you place the jack at the right spot, which is indicated in the owner's manual.

If you lost or misplaced the manual, there's a jacking area about six to 10 inches away from each tire towards the center of the car. You'll see a piece of metal with jack slots pointing towards the ground. This is the spot where you can safely place the jack alongside jack stands and lift your car without any issues.

Removing the Old Tires

Once your car is safely lifted, remove the lug nuts and the old tires. You may have to jerk them around a bit for them to come loose, but you won't have to use too much force. If the wheel is stuck for some reason, just give it a good whack or two from each side and it should loosen up enough for you to remove it.

Mounting the Winter Tires

After you've removed the old tires, grab the winter ones and repeat the process only in reverse. In other words, place the wheel at the right spot so that it fits onto the bolt holes. They need to be aligned perfectly so take your time. After that, grab the lug nuts and put them in their place. You can also tighten the lug nuts a bit so the tire doesn't come off easily but don't tighten them completely. Once that's done, lower your car back down and remove the jack.

Tightening the Lug Nuts Properly

Once you've replaced all four wheels, it's time to tighten the lug nuts the proper way. That said, grab the wrench again and keep at it until it becomes difficult to twist. Don't overdo it or the nuts may snap during the ride. Also, don't leave the nuts untightened or the wheel will come off when you start driving. In other words, not too tight and not too loose either.

Safety Checks After Installation

Well, that wasn't so bad was it? You've managed to replace the tires, but the job ain't done yet. Keep in mind, and this cannot be stressed enough, that you should always perform a safety check after tire replacement. Safety is imperative and you don't want something to go terribly wrong while you're on the road.

Therefore, the first thing you should do is take the tire pressure gauge to determine if the tires are properly inflated. If not, inflate them some more but don't overdo it. After all, overly inflated tires are just as dangerous as underinflated ones. The next step is to get in your car and drive around for a bit to determine the lug nut torque.

You need to make sure that everything is nice and tight. If everything checks out, drive for at least 50-100 miles more and check again. If the wheels feel wobbly, tighten the lug nuts some more. After that, you're pretty much good to go.

Expert Tips for DIY Winter Tire Installation

No matter how much you know about replacing tires, there's always more you can learn. Even something simple that you may've not known can make a huge difference when switching tires between seasons. With that in mind, here are a few expert tips that will help you out in future endeavors.

• Sorting off-season tires properly - Once you replace tires for the winter, you need to store the off-season ones properly. What that means is finding a dark and dry place where the tires won't be exposed to any moisture or direct sunlight. If need be, you'll have to cover them up, but avoid plastic bags as they can trap moisture and damage your tires. Instead, use the specialized automotive storage covers to ensure your tires are properly protected.
• Anti-seize compound to the rescue - This lubricant can be a lifesaver in particular situations when you're switching tires. Spraying it on lug nuts before storing away tires ensures that they'll come off more easily the next time you need to replace tires. The same rule applies for studs. Spraying the anti-seize compound on studs will help with their removal once you no longer need them.
• Using wheel chocks for extra safety - When you're ready to replace tires, adding wheel chocks can prevent the vehicle from moving back and forth during tire replacement. This not only makes the whole process safer, but it also helps you get everything done faster. If you don't have any wheel chocks, a couple of solid bricks will do the trick just fine. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Replacing tires during seasonal change can be tricky, especially if you're not familiar with possible mistakes that can cause major problems in the long run. People may think they know what they're doing, which ends up being quite the opposite. To help clear the air and enlighten you, let's have a look at some of the most common mistakes people make when switching tires.

• Over-tightening or under-tightening lug nuts - As mentioned before, lug nuts need to be tightened just right, which means not too tight and not too loose either. Overdo it and you may even damage the wheel. Leave the lugs too loose and the wheel may fall off, damaging its surroundings in the process. 
• Skipping jack stands - Jack stands are used to ensure safety when you lift a vehicle for tire replacement. They keep the vehicle balanced and you can use them to lift the entire vehicle from the ground, not just one side. So, sure, you can disregard those and go for a jack only but that would be a mistake. A jack, effective as it may be, can still damage your vehicle, not to mention give in and then you'll be crushed underneath the car.
• Mixing winter tires with all season or summer tires - Now this is actually a mistake many drivers out there make. Mixing different purpose tires in order to save a couple of bucks is a disaster waiting to happen. Not only are your tires going to wear out unevenly, your vehicle won't be able to grip the road properly, which can lead to accidents or worse. If you want to stay safe even in harsh winter conditions, your best option is to go with winter tires all the way.

When to Seek Professional Help?

More often than not, there are situations where you just can't do it yourself. The thing about these situations is to know when to admit defeat and seek professional aid, instead of making things a lot worse than they should be.

And, even something as straightforward as switching tires can easily turn into a disaster if you're not certain what to do, but you decide to wing it nonetheless.

Long story short, such scenarios are best avoided altogether. That said, here are a couple of scenarios where DIY winter tire installation may not be the safest option.

• Lack of adequate space - As mentioned before, if you're going to change the tires yourself, you should have enough space to do so. If you don't have a space that is safely secluded from inbound traffic or that's roomy enough for you to do what you need to do, then it's best to just take your car to the professional and have them sort it out for you. For example, a garage where your vehicle can barely fit is not an optimal space for tire replacement. 
• Lug nuts that won't budge - Every now and then, lug nuts can get seized completely and they won't budge no matter how much lubricant you spray on them or no matter how much force you use to set them loose. This may very well be due to severe corrosion or some other issue that sealed lug nuts in place. If you don't have proper power tools to set them straight, and even if you do have the tools but you don't know what to do, it's better that you have a mechanic deal with the situation.
• You don't feel comfortable lifting your car - This type of scenario is more common than people like to admit. Lifting a vehicle off the ground is not something that should be taken lightly. There are a number of things that can go wrong and the consequences can be dire, indeed. So, if you don't feel comfortable doing it, simply don't do it. Just take your car to the nearest repair shop and let the professionals switch the tires for you.

Final Thoughts

Winter tire installation may be a fairly simple process, but it doesn't always seem that way, especially to drivers who never switched tires themselves before.

Still, this is something every driver should know how to do, mostly because it's expensive to take your car to the mechanic every time you need to swap tires during season change.

And, even though the process of installing winter tires may be simple, it's always better to take things easy and ensure safety for both yourself and your vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install winter tires myself?

Of course you can. As long as you have the necessary tools, a proper place where you can set everything up, and the necessary know-how, you can easily install winter tires on your own.

What is the 7'7 rule for winter tires?

This rule of thumb serves as an indicator to help drivers know when to switch to winter tires and vice versa. For example, if the temperature outside is below 7 degrees Celsius for seven consecutive days, then you should switch from summer to winter tires.

Which way to install winter tires?

If your winter tires have a directional tread pattern, they should have an arrow on the sidewall pointing towards the correct rotation direction. The key is to look at the arrow and make sure it points towards the front of the vehicle. Since most winter tires are directional, you shouldn't have any problems finding instructions on the tire's sidewall.

How to swap tires for winter?

The process of swapping tires for winter is pretty straightforward. All you need to do is loosen lug nuts, lift your car slightly off the ground, remove off-season tires and replace them with winter ones, lower the car back down, and finally, tighten the lug nuts.

What month should you install winter tires?

The best moment to swap summer tires for winter ones is in November, more specifically around Thanksgiving.

Is it bad to put on winter tires too early?

That entirely depends on the temperature outside. As you may already know, winter tires perform best in very low to below freezing temperatures. That said, if the temperature outside is quite low both during the day and during night, it might be the right moment to swap. On that note, if it's still warm outside, then you shouldn't switch tires because winter tires simply do not function properly at higher temperatures.