[Joe Gro]

Just wondering what most people do about when to swop out summer tires for winter. Have a winter set on order (supposed to be in today).

Currently driving an X5 M50 with 22 inch, 742M wheels. I live outside Boston, and while there is always some fluky weather here, it generally doesnt snow until the second half of November or later.

The issue is the temperatures. Its fairly common to see temps dip into the low 40s or high 30s before that. I've seen stuff here about the summer tires not being designed for the kind of temps. How much of a risk is driving on them under those conditions, and when do people in northern climates generally decide to switch?

thanks

[Qsilver7]

The generally philosophy is to swap when ambient temps consistently remain below 45° F. Yes, ambient temps can drop below that for a day or an hour or two...but its when it consistently will stay below 45°F in your part of the country/world.

For example, this morning it dropped down to 32°F this morning...but it will be going back up into the 50s...and it is not expected to get below 45° again for a few weeks yet. In my part of the country (great lakes area) I usually swap sometime between Thanksgiving and Xmas. A few years ago...December was really warm and I didn't swap until the New Years Eve.

And swapping on your winter tires isn't just about snow...it's also about cold temperatures. The rubber compound hardens below 45° F...which affects stopping, handling, and acceleration...so again, you want to consider when the temps drop and stay cool/cold...because you still want optimum braking and handling when its dry & cold as well as wet & cold or snow & icy.

[john1200c]

I did my swap last week, but that was because the place I bought my winter tires from wanted them out of there.... Usually I swap late November/early December.

[jettie1767]

I normally swap around mid-November.

[hksr]

Originally Posted by jettie1767

I normally swap around mid-November.

Same. I store my winters with the dealership, so I kinda work with their service department availability. I've booked my appointment for close to mid-Nov to have them swapped out.

[XGoober]

I would err on the side of swapping early rather than late. It can be tough to find that exact transition date from mild to cold. Better to wear the winters a little more than necessary for a few weeks than to get into trouble on a really cold morning. I swap when our morning temps are routinely down around 40 or below. That way the school run in the morning is safe.

[goobies818]

Originally Posted by hksr

Same. I store my winters with the dealership, so I kinda work with their service department availability. I've booked my appointment for close to mid-Nov to have them swapped out.

interesting...does the dealer charge storage for the tires or they're just working to maintain the customer relationship?

I have no need for winters living in So Cal but the wife and i have been considering a relocation to BC in the intermediate future so winter tires will become a consideration for us

[Ghoffner]

Originally Posted by goobies818

interesting...does the dealer charge storage for the tires or they're just working to maintain the customer relationship?

I have no need for winters living in So Cal but the wife and i have been considering a relocation to BC in the intermediate future so winter tires will become a consideration for us

Curious about this as well.

Also, what all season tires do you all use for the 22’s? I’m picking up my m50i in a few weeks and will need to change out my tires for a trip up to the NE for the holidays.

[Joe Gro]

My dealer charges $200/year to store the tires. I called around and couldn’t find a better deal. I’m getting Pirelli winters on the 741M wheels. These aren’t all seasons, they’re winter tires.

Thanks for all the replies. It took a few weeks but the tires are now in. Based on the responses I’ll probably put them on in the second half of next month.

[jad03060]

I don't live far from you...driving summer tires when it's cold can damage them, and, while maybe not common, we get a snow storm sometimes as early as October, so around here, I think mid-late October is probably the more reliable timeframe to be safe. This can change radically depending on where you live. Parts of the west got as much as 6' of snow in the last week. We've had some unusually warm days. FWIW, in Nashua, the average low in October is 42, while November's is 32, and December's is 23. So, it somewhat depends on when you drive, but if running summer performance tires, keep in mind that as the rubber hardens, it also decreases your braking and cornering forces available.

[Paul-in-MA]

Perfect project for the long Thanksgiving weekend. May even burn a few calories carrying the wheels into the basement.

[john1200c]

Originally Posted by Joe Gro

My dealer charges $200/year to store the tires. I called around and couldn’t find a better deal. I’m getting Pirelli winters on the 741M wheels. These aren’t all seasons, they’re winter tires.

$300 here. $150 each time I swap....

[goobies818]

Originally Posted by Ghoffner

Curious about this as well.

Also, what all season tires do you all use for the 22’s? I’m picking up my m50i in a few weeks and will need to change out my tires for a trip up to the NE for the holidays.

there's a set of Pirellis that are OEM for the Bentayga which are all season from Tire Rack.

P Zero All Seasons.

[jad03060]

Originally Posted by Paul-in-MA

Perfect project for the long Thanksgiving weekend. May even burn a few calories carrying the wheels into the basement.

Boston is cold enough by Thanksgiving (normally), where that may be a bit late for a switchover! We're supposed to get a frost tonight here in Nashua, NH, about 40-miles away from Boston, and after all the rain, if you needed to be out, it might be nice to have them on now.

The timing could change each year, but on average, around BOston, I still think late October, early November is a good time to swap, unless you can't do it yourself as the shops get inundated with requests with the first snowfall, and that can happen anytime. Drive out of Boston west to Worchester, and the world changes, too...downtown Boston, next to the bay, may not see snow for a while afterwards.

[Joe Gro]

you're probably right-better sooner rather than later

will keep a close eye on the weather, thanks

[Flying Ace]

when you start driving frequently under 40 degrees. Does the car still give you the "snowflake" warning? I live in non-snowy climate, have only seen it sparingly on my older BMWs.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

when you start driving frequently under 40 degrees. Does the car still give you the "snowflake" warning? I live in non-snowy climate, have only seen it sparingly on my older BMWs.

Do you mean the "ice" warning that the check control system flashes when ambient temps hit 37° F? If yes, my f15 X5 flashed it the first time yesterday morning (this season). We got our first frost...it was down to 32° F...and by the time I had pulled out of the garage and made it down to the end of the street...I got the audible "ding" and the warning flashed in the HUD.

Looks like this warning is still being used...see the section below from the G05 owners manual.