Buying tires is no small investment. It’s going to cost at least a few hundred dollars to get a new set all around. Spending the money on winter tires and swapping them out for the season can increase the longevity of your regular rubber. Winter tires also add extra security and grip when you’re driving in snow or icy conditions. But when is the best time to buy winter tires?

Are winter tires worth it?

If you live somewhere that gets a lot of snow or make frequent trips to the mountains every winter for snowboarding and skiing, winter tires can make a huge difference. In fact, putting good snow tires on a two-wheel drive vehicle is a massive game changer in winter weather. Additionally, switching to winter tires on your AWD car or SUV enables you to go almost anywhere––regardless of the weather.

In addition, the tires you swapped won’t be getting any wear and tear during the winter. So by the time spring comes back around and it’s time to change back to all-season tires, you have a nice set of tires waiting for you. Having two sets of tires that you switch seasonally can actually shorten the amount of time in between fresh sets. But some who are considering the purchase may wonder about the best time to buy winter tires.

How much do winter tires cost?

According to Edmunds, anyone planning to buy winter tires will spend between $150 and $190 per tire. In this article, there is a list of the 8 best winter tires. The list topper tire––the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80––is priced starting even below that range. Still, a new set of winter tires all around should cost north of $400. On the other end of the spectrum, there are elite tires such as the Nokian Hakkapeliitta that can cost up to $430 per tire.

While a few people out there might say that buying used tires is a great way to save money on tires, it’s usually not the case. There’s typically a reason someone returned a tire or traded out of one set into a fresh one. Buying new costs a little more, but most would agree that it’s absolutely worth the money.

When to buy

According to this article by The Balance Every Day, there actually are times of the year when it is typically better to buy a new set of tires. If you are wondering when to buy your winter tires, now is the time to buy new tires. Some dealers may offer special deals around this time. In addition, there are usually more tire sales during this time of the season.

This is due to the fact that dealers want higher sales before winter. Partly because that’s when many people start to think about this purchase. Or it’s because that gives tires enough time to wear enough before the summer road trip season. This strategy increases seasonal sales in both October and April or May.

When to switch your tires out

According to AutoGuide, winter tiresome made of a rubber that’s engineered for pique performance in cold weather. As far as winter tires are concerned, once it’s below about 45 degrees Fahrenheit then it’s cold enough for swapping to your seasonal set. A trick some people use is to watch for when you can consistently see your breath when you go outside. Once this happens, you can pretty much count on the fact that it’s cool enough for winter rubber.