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Upland rarely sees snow, but Mt. Baldy, Wrightwood and Big Bear are a short drive away. If you keep a set of winter or all-terrain tires for those trips, or performance summer tires for the rest of the year, Route 66 Auto Repair in Upland swaps them for you. We inspect the stored set before it goes on, balance as needed, set TPMS and torque, and send you home with a note on what the next season needs.
Who needs a seasonal swap in the Inland Empire?
Drivers who head up to the local ski areas or cabins through the winter often keep a separate set of snow-rated tires on their own wheels. Summer performance tires lose grip and can crack in near-freezing mountain air, so those owners switch before the first trip. Caltrans can require chains or traction tires on mountain roads during storms; check Caltrans (opens in a new tab) road conditions before you go.
A full wheel set is quick to swap. Tires that have to be dismounted and mounted on the same wheels take longer, so we ask which you have when you book.
What do we check on a stored set?
- The DOT date code, since rubber hardens with age even in a garage.
- Tread depth, and the snow-rated symbols if the tires are for winter.
- Flat spots, dry cracking and bead damage from storage.
- Wheel condition, lug seats and TPMS sensors in the second set.
- Correct size and load rating for your vehicle.
Our seasonal swap process
Step 1: Inspect before mounting
The stored set is checked before it goes on, so a bad tire does not get fitted.
Step 2: Swap and balance
Wheels are fitted, or tires are mounted and balanced on your wheels.
Step 3: TPMS and torque
Sensors are checked and relearned if needed, and lug nuts are torqued to spec.
Step 4: Note the off-season set
We record tread and condition on the tires coming off, so you know what to expect next season.
What's included
Included on the work order
- 01Inspection of the set going on
- 02Wheel swap or mount and balance
- 03TPMS check and relearn when required
- 04Lug torque and pressure set
- 05Condition notes on the set coming off
Need-now or need-later?
Need now: call
- Snow tires with cracking or low tread before a mountain trip
- A wheel set whose TPMS sensors do not register
Need later: book
- Buying a second set of sensors for your spare wheels
- Replacing an aging stored set before next season
How pricing and timing work
A wheel set swap costs less than mounting tires on the same wheels, and TPMS work adds a line if needed. The written estimate shows it all before we start, and AAA members save 10% on parts and labor, up to $75. Book a week or two before your trip. If the stored tires are done, we can quote new ones and handle tire mounting, with a tire tread inspection on the set going into storage. Before the trip, spare tire inspection is worth adding.
Frequently asked questions
How should I store my off-season tires?
Clean them, keep them out of sunlight and away from heat sources like water heaters, and stack or hang them as the tire maker suggests. A cool garage corner works well.
Do I need separate TPMS sensors for a second wheel set?
If your car uses direct TPMS and you want the light off, yes. Otherwise the light stays on all season. We can check whether your second set has working sensors.
Are all-season tires enough for mountain trips?
It depends on conditions and chain controls. Carry chains that fit your tires and follow Caltrans requirements. We can check your tire size so the chains match.