Winter Tires in London Ontario – When to Switch and Where to Buy

Switch to winter tires in London Ontario when daytime temperatures drop consistently below 7°C, which typically happens in mid-October. London averages its first significant snowfall in November, but the 7°C rule applies to cold dry roads too, all-season rubber stiffens below that threshold and loses grip even without snow present. J and B Tires on Clarke Road holds 1,361 Google reviews at 4.8 stars and is the most-reviewed tire shop in the city. GT Tires on Gore Road stocks over 10,000 new tires and 12,000 used tires and rates 4.7 stars from 698 reviews.

When to Switch: The 7°C Rule for London

Winter tires use a softer rubber compound that stays flexible in cold temperatures. All-season tires begin to stiffen noticeably below 7°C, reducing road contact and increasing stopping distance even on clear, dry pavement. The rule is consistent: once daytime highs are staying at or below 7°C, switch to winter tires regardless of whether snow has fallen yet.

In London Ontario, the practical window for switching is mid-October through early November. Overnight lows often touch 7°C in late September, but if daytime highs are still reaching 15°C, hold off, winter rubber wears faster in warm conditions. Watch a 14-day forecast in early October. When overnight lows are consistently below 4°C and daytime highs aren’t getting above 10°C, book the appointment. Book early: London tire shops fill up fast in October, and popular shops like J and B Tires run multi-week wait lists during the switchover rush.

Spring changeover: switch back when overnight temperatures are staying consistently above 7°C, typically mid-April in London. Watch for late-season snow, London sees measurable snowfall in late April some years. The April 15 to May 1 window works for most years. Running winter tires through warm weather wears the soft compound significantly faster than seasonal use would.

Winter Tires vs. All-Season Tires

Transport Canada data shows winter tires reduce braking distance on ice by up to 25 to 40 percent compared to all-season tires at the same speed. For London’s conditions, wet ice, packed snow, and salt-covered pavement, that margin matters in emergency braking situations. All-season tires with the M+S (mud and snow) rating perform better than standard all-seasons in cold but don’t match the grip of a proper winter tire below 7°C.

Ontario law does not require winter tires. Quebec mandates them from December 1 to March 15. However, many Ontario insurers offer discounts of 5 to 15 percent on comprehensive coverage for vehicles with certified winter tires (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol). Call your insurance broker specifically and ask, not all insurers advertise this proactively, and the discount varies significantly between providers.

Top Winter Tire Shops in London Ontario

J and B Tires at 855 Clarke Road is the most-reviewed tire shop in London at 1,361 Google reviews and 4.8 stars. The shop is family-owned, open 7 days a week, and consistently reviewed for fast turnaround and competitive pricing against the national chains. The Clarke Road location serves West and Northwest London well. Book at least 2 weeks ahead in October during switchover season.

GT Tires at 1704 Gore Road holds 698 reviews at 4.7 stars and stocks one of the largest tire inventories in London, more than 10,000 new tires and 12,000 used tires. The used tire inventory makes GT Tires the first call for budget winter tire buyers. A used winter tire set in good condition at GT can cost $200 to $450 versus $600 to $1,000 for a new budget set. GT’s inventory turns over quickly in fall, so call ahead in September to check what used winter sizes are in stock before the October rush depletes options.

Tim’s New And Used Tires at 1181 Dundas Street rates 4.6 stars from 656 reviews and specializes in used tires, making it the go-to for East London drivers on a tighter budget. Like GT, Tim’s used winter inventory moves fast in October. If you have a common tire size (215/60R16, 205/55R16, similar), call in September to get on a list for the right size when it comes in.

Winter Tire Pricing in London Ontario

Seasonal tire swap service, mounting your stored tires back onto rims and balancing, costs $60 to $100 at most London shops. If your winter tires are on separate steel rims (the most common setup for people who swap annually), the swap takes 30 to 45 minutes. Balancing isn’t required every swap when rims are dedicated to one set of tires, which keeps the service at the lower end of the cost range. Seasonal tire storage at the shop adds $30 to $75 per season depending on location and whether tires are stored on rims.

Should You Buy Used Winter Tires?

Used winter tires make sense for older vehicles, short-term ownership situations, or when budget is the priority. GT Tires and Tim’s New And Used Tires carry used winter inventory that moves quickly each October. Before buying used winter tires, check tread depth, new winter tires start with 10/32 to 12/32 inches. Anything under 5/32 inches remaining is getting into marginal winter performance territory and isn’t worth buying for a full season.

Also check the tire’s manufacture date. The DOT code on the sidewall ends in a 4-digit week-year stamp (for example, “1219” means week 12 of 2019). Winter tires over 6 years old are worth skipping even with adequate remaining tread, the rubber compound ages and loses flexibility regardless of how little the tire has been used. A 3 to 5 year old tire with 6/32 inches or more tread is a reasonable used purchase for a single season at a fair price.

Storing Your Off-Season Tires

Store off-season tires in a cool, dry location away from sunlight, ozone sources like furnaces and electric motors, and temperature extremes. A basement corner works well. Stand unmounted tires upright on the tread edge. Stack rims-on tires horizontally, no more than 4 high. Clean tires before storage and let them dry. Tire bags ($10 to $20 each) slow ozone degradation and keep dust off. Properly stored tires last their full service life, 6 to 10 years from manufacture date, with no meaningful performance loss between seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I switch to winter tires in London Ontario?

When daytime temperatures are consistently at or below 7°C, typically mid-October in London. Don’t wait for the first snowfall. All-season tires lose grip in cold temperatures on dry roads, not only in snow. Book in late September or early October before tire shop calendars fill up. Switch back in mid-April once overnight temperatures are staying consistently above 7°C.

How much do winter tires cost in London Ontario?

A budget set of four installed runs $400 to $700. Mid-range tires run $700 to $1,000 installed. Premium tires (Michelin X-Ice, Bridgestone Blizzak) run $1,000 to $1,400. Used winter sets at GT Tires or Tim’s run $200 to $450 for sets in good condition. Seasonal swap service (mounting stored tires) costs $60 to $100 depending on the shop and whether balancing is included.

Where can I buy winter tires in London Ontario?

J and B Tires (855 Clarke Rd, 1,361 reviews, 4.8 stars) is the most-reviewed tire shop in the city. GT Tires (1704 Gore Rd, 698 reviews) stocks 10,000-plus new tires and 12,000-plus used tires. Tim’s New And Used Tires (1181 Dundas St, 656 reviews) specializes in used tires in East London. Midtown Tire (115 Hamilton Rd, 429 reviews) and Northridge AutoWorks OK Tire (629 Fanshawe Park Rd E, 546 reviews) also handle full winter tire installation.

Are winter tires required in Ontario?

No. Ontario does not legally require winter tires. Quebec mandates them from December 1 to March 15. However, many Ontario insurers offer 5 to 15 percent discounts on comprehensive coverage for vehicles with certified winter tires (Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol). Call your broker and ask specifically, not all insurers advertise this discount, and the amount varies significantly between providers and policy types.

What is the difference between winter and all-season tires?

Winter tires have a softer rubber compound that stays flexible below 7°C, deeper tread patterns that evacuate snow, and the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification for cold weather performance. All-season tires stiffen below 7°C, reducing grip on cold dry roads, packed snow, and ice. Transport Canada data shows winter tires reduce braking distance on ice by up to 40 percent. All-season M+S rated tires outperform standard all-seasons in cold but don’t match proper winter tires for grip below 7°C.

How long do winter tires last?

Winter tires typically last 3 to 5 seasons with proper storage and seasonal use. Check tread depth at the end of each winter, performance drops significantly below 5/32 inches. Store tires in a cool, dry, dark location between seasons. Running winter tires through summer wears the soft compound much faster than seasonal use, cutting tire life in half or more. Swap back to all-season tires in mid-April to protect your winter tire investment.

Browse all tire shops in London Ontario to compare locations, hours, and services. For wheel alignment after new tire installation, see our auto repair and mechanics directory.

Last updated: April 2026

Author: David Paul