Winter tires are mandatory from December 1 to March 1. However, winter conditions often arrive earlier. “To avoid unpleasant surprises on slippery roads, it’s wise to change to winter tires before the mandatory period begins,” said Ahti Aasala, Head of After-Sales at Amserv. The use of studded tires is regulated by the state, and since studs damage the road surface, they are allowed from October 15 to March 31.
“Unlike studded tires, friction tires (non-studded winter tires) have no specific time restrictions, but it’s important to note that their rubber compound is softer than that of summer tires and wears out faster in warmer temperatures. Therefore, the right time to install friction tires is when the average daily temperature drops below seven degrees Celsius - at that point, summer tires begin to harden, and their grip decreases,” explained Aasala. He recommended installing friction tires already in early October to avoid long waiting times during peak season.
Postponing the tire change until the last moment or even beyond the required period, mainly causes inconvenience for drivers themselves, Aasala noted. “Every year, with the first snowfall, we see vehicles crawling along the roads extremely slowly, blocking traffic and frustrating other drivers. I believe even those behind the wheel of such cars don’t feel comfortable. In addition to the increased risk of accidents, changing tires at that point also takes much longer, as workshops everywhere are fully booked,” he added, listing reasons to change tires on time.
Estonians generally don’t postpone car maintenance Despite the challenging economic environment, Aasala believes Estonians are responsible and rarely delay scheduled tire changes or car maintenance. “When a car gets older, some may see authorized service centers as expensive and look for cheaper alternatives, which doesn’t always pay off. Besides the hourly rate, one should also consider the quality of the work and the time required. Another advantage of an authorized service center is the ability to combine multiple services, for example, tire change, technical inspection, car wash, or even insurance claim handling — all in one visit,” Aasala explained.
According to Hanno Ladvas, Head of Inbank’s Estonian business unit, one of the reasons people don’t postpone maintenance is the wide availability of flexible payment options. “Thanks to various payment and installment solutions, car owners don’t have to pay the full amount for maintenance at once. More and more people use these options to spread unexpected expenses over time. Flexible payment methods make maintenance more accessible and encourage people to check their vehicles regularly and drive safely,” said Ladvas.
Inbank’s statistics show that the use of “pay later” solutions for car-related expenses has grown by 17.3% this year, indicating that Estonians are increasingly using financing options for vehicle costs as well.
Friction tires are more affordable than studded tires Price comparisons show that friction tires tend to be cheaper than studded ones. For example, for the popular Toyota RAV4, premium friction tires cost around €200 or more per tire, mid-range options around €150, and budget tires can be found for €100 or even less.
“Even though tires are available in all price categories, buying a new set can still be a considerable expense. However, tire replacement shouldn’t be postponed, new tires must be purchased when needed to ensure safety for both the driver and others on the road, as well as to avoid repair costs in case of an accident,” emphasized the Amserv after-sales expert.
Ladvas from Inbank also suggested considering flexible financing options for tire purchases. “For example, ‘pay later’ solutions allow customers to split the cost into several interest-free payments with no extra fees, and the first payment isn’t due until a month later,” he said. Ladvas stressed that tires are an important investment where saving money may not be wise, higher-quality tires last longer, reduce overconsumption, and improve safety for everyone on the road.
“Although premium tires are initially more expensive, they pay off in the long run through better grip and durability,” Aasala concluded.
