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When to switch from summer to winter tyres: dates, tread depth and checks
In Lithuania winter tyres are mandatory from 10 November to 1 April. But the calendar is only half the answer: what really decides is the air temperature and your tread depth. Here is everything in one place so the changeover does not end up as a last-minute job.
What the traffic rules say
- From 10 November to 1 April passenger cars must run on winter tyres.
- Studded tyres are not allowed from 10 April to 1 November.
- During the winter period the minimum tread depth is 3 mm (1.6 mm in summer).
- All four tyres must be the same type and pattern. “Two winter tyres on the front axle” is both an offence and a genuine hazard.
It is not the date, it is +7 °C
Summer tyre rubber hardens once the air drops below roughly +7 °C: grip falls away even on dry tarmac and braking distances grow. A winter compound stays flexible, so make the call on the forecast rather than the calendar — if it hovers around zero for a few nights in a row, it is time.
Rule of thumb: change over once the average daily temperature has stayed below +7 °C for several days. Do not wait for the first snow — the queues at the fitting bay arrive with it.
Tread depth: when tyres stop being safe
| Tread depth | What it means |
|---|---|
| 6 mm and above | New or nearly new — fully fit for winter. |
| 4–6 mm | Still a good season, but snow grip is already reduced. |
| 3–4 mm | Final season — start planning a new set. |
| Below 3 mm | Not allowed during the winter period. |
The easiest way to measure is a tread depth gauge, or ask at the workshop. While you are there, check the DOT code on the sidewall: four digits give the week and year of manufacture. Tyres older than six years harden even with plenty of tread left.
A five-step check before the changeover
- Measure tread depth on all four tyres — they wear unevenly.
- Inspect the sidewalls: bulges, cracks or cuts mean the tyre has to go.
- Check the DOT manufacturing date.
- Set the pressures to the manufacturer's table — cold weather drops them.
- Book a balancing session, and a wheel alignment if the car pulls to one side.
What you will find at Paras.lt
- Winter tyres — studded and studless, in the most common sizes.
- All-season tyres — for low-mileage city driving.
- Tyre fitting and Hunter Road Force balancing.
- Wheel and tyre storage — we keep your off-season set until you need it.
Video: the seasonal tyre change
A short, clear look at how a seasonal tyre change is done and what to watch out for: