First Day Of Spring Warning Don’t Take Your Subaru’s Snow Tires Off Yet

It's the first day of spring, and it's tempting to take off your snow tires. But experts will tell you not to be fooled by the calendar. The date may say it's the Spring Equinox, but that doesn't mean the snow is gone.

When Should You Change Your Snow Tires?

The Colorado Department of Transportation says, "Motorists should remove their winter tires at the end of winter or when the weather begins to warm consistently. Beware, Colorado tends to get its largest snowfall totals in March.”

Related Story Updated: Consumer Reports Best Snow Tires For Your Subaru This Winter

Did you catch that last sentence? In Colorado, where I live, the snowiest months of the year are March and April. And the snow is wet and heavy. Colorado just received the most significant snowfall in years on March 13-14, 2024. 

Record snowfall in March 

KVDR FOX News says, "The March 13-14, 2021, snowstorm is on the record books as Denver's second-largest snowfall total from a March storm. It was only beat out by a storm from March 17-19, 2003, which produced 31.8 inches of snow in Denver."

When the snow falls in March and April, it gets so slick that even with snow tires, stopping your all-wheel-drive Subaru Crosstrek, Forester, or Outback SUV can be challenging.

Watch: Winter Tires vs All-Season Tires: When All-Season Tires On Your Subaru Is The Worst Idea in Winter

It makes a significant difference in which tires you have on your Subaru all-wheel-drive vehicle.

Stopping Distance From 60 MPH On Snowy Pavement

• 800-plus feet with summer tires
• 668 feet with all-season tires (non-Mud+Snow)
• 310 feet with winter tires

The Traction Law

In Colorado and other mountain states, there is a traction law. It usually affects the interstate highway that winds its way through the mountains. CDOT says, "If a Traction Law is called, your all-season tires might not be lawful to drive with. If you don't have the proper equipment during a Traction Law, you could face fines as low as $130 or as high as $650."

So, just because it's the first day of spring, keep your snow tires on your all-wheel-drive Subaru Crosstrek, Forester, or Outback. There could be more wet heavy snow coming. 

I am Denis Flierl, a Torque News senior writer since 2012. I’ve invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role, working with every major car brand, and I am an experienced Rocky Mountain Automotive Press member. You'll find the latest Subaru stories on the Subaru page. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

photo Subaru USA