Winter tire changes slow as mild weather persists in Seinäjoki, Finland

At Seinäjoki Vianor, staff have been busy switching summer tires to winter tires for the past few weeks. However, with the mild weather continuing, the pace of changes has slowed down. “Usually at this point, we should be experiencing slippery conditions, but that hasn’t happened yet. Last week showed a notable calm,” noted Markku Erkko, the branch manager of Vianor Seinäjoki.

According to Finnish traffic regulations, winter tires must be used from November 1 to March 31 if weather conditions require them. This autumn has been exceptionally warm, with the Finnish Meteorological Institute reporting a record average temperature of 12.2 degrees Celsius in September, continuing into October.

Should drivers switch tires this week? It’s challenging to pinpoint an ideal time for the change. “I would recommend changing them when you need to drive every day—better earlier than too late,” Erkko remarked. Teppo Vesalainen, the training manager at the Finnish Automobile Association, emphasized that decisions should depend on weather conditions and driving needs, as winter arrives at different times each year across Finland’s varied climates.

Considering the timing of tire changes, many drivers also ponder the wear on tires. Experts have collectively addressed common concerns. Vianor stated that switching to winter tires before snow and ice won’t significantly damage them, as the weather remains relatively cool. They also pointed out that while winter tires might wear out due to aggressive driving, they are often used on clear roads well into the spring.

Another inquiry pertained to road damage caused by studded tires, with Vianor confirming there is some wear but it is minimal. Lastly, they mentioned that while studded tires aren’t slippery by themselves, their performance does decrease in wet conditions compared to summer tires.