When is the right time to switch to winter tires?

When is the right time to switch to winter tires?

In Turkey, winter tires are legally required for commercial vehicles between December 1 and April 1. But the right timing isn't read off a calendar — it's read off the thermometer: once the average temperature drops below 7°C, summer tire rubber starts to stiffen and grip performance drops.

Why the 7°C threshold matters

Summer tires are built for optimal performance at higher temperatures. Below 7°C the rubber hardens, braking distance increases and cornering grip weakens — a direct fleet-safety issue on wet or icy surfaces. Winter tires use a rubber compound that stays soft at low temperatures.

What happens during the change

A seasonal switch is more than swapping tires. Every tire change at our 216 service points follows the same standard: removal, tread-depth and DOT inspection, balancing, mounting and TPMS calibration — completed in about 30 minutes.

Where do the removed tires go?

Off-season tires shouldn't go missing — they should go on record. Every removed tire is matched to its plate, barcoded, and sent to the tire hotel, so you never have to search for it when the season turns.

A practical tip for fleets

Instead of watching the forecast, tie the seasonal switch to a fixed date and schedule fleet-wide appointments through ZyTire — it removes the burden of tracking each vehicle individually.