Winter Tires in Gresham & Portland: When to Swap and What You Need for Winter Driving in the Pacific Northwest
Winter in the Pacific Northwest means ice, rain, sleet, and snow! It also means weekend trips to the mountain to hike and ski. Here’s when to switch to winter tires, what chain and traction tire rules require, and how to get ready for the mountain. Our Certified Service team in Gresham helps drivers across Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, and Marion counties choose and install the right winter tires for their Buick or GMC, as well as all other makes and models!
Find Winter TiresSchedule a Tire Swap
When Should You Switch to Winter Tires?
Switch once daytime temperatures stay below about 45°F. Below that, all-season rubber stiffens and loses grip, while winter tires stay flexible and bite into snow and slush.
- OctoberBook your swap before the first mountain snow.
- November–MarchWinter tires on. Studs are legal in Oregon and Washington Nov 1 through Mar 31.
- AprilSwitch back once days stay above about 45°F.
What to Expect This Winter (2026–27)
Forecasters expect a strong El Niño, which usually means a milder winter in the lowlands across the Pacific Northwest. Mountain storms, freezing rain, and Arctic cold snaps can still happen, so plan for snow and ice on the Cascade passes from November through spring. When snow levels hover near the passes, expect slush and black ice that change from one mile to the next.
Which Winter Tire Is Right for You?
| All-season | All-weather | Studless winter | Studded | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counts as a traction tire? | No (M+S alone doesn’t count) | Yes, with the mountain/snowflake symbol | Yes | Yes |
| When it’s legal | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round | Nov 1 – Mar 31 |
| Best for | In-town driving, with chains for mountain trips | One set all year, occasional snow trips | Regular trips to the mountains and passes | Frequent ice |
Look for the three-peak mountain and snowflake symbol on the sidewall; that’s what marks a traction tire. State transportation departments encourage studless tires over studs because studs damage highways, and modern studless tires grip well on ice and better than studs in slush and on cold pavement. For most Pacific Northwest drivers, they’re the best all-around choice. Always install winter tires on all four wheels.
Chain and Traction Tire Rules
Here’s what Oregon’s signs mean for most passenger vehicles and light trucks:
- Carry chains or traction tires: You must have properly sized chains in the vehicle, or traction tires on it.
- Chains required, traction tires allowed: Vehicles rated 10,000 lbs. GVW or less that aren’t towing can use traction tires instead of chains.
- Conditional closures: In severe conditions, ODOT can require chains on every vehicle.
Driving AWD or 4WD? You’re partially exempt only if you carry chains, have mud-and-snow or traction tires on all four wheels, aren’t towing, and weigh 6,500 lbs. or less unloaded. Some heavy-duty pickups are rated over 10,000 lbs. GVW and must chain up, so check your door jamb label. Learn how AWD and 4WD differ.
Washington uses the same Nov 1 – Mar 31 studded tire season and posts its own traction tire and chain requirements on each pass, so check before you cross the state line.
Heading to the Mountains This Winter
Oregon Cascades
From Gresham, US-26 reaches Mt. Hood in about an hour. Farther south, Santiam Pass and US-97 lead to Bend and Mt. Bachelor. Conditions can change from wet to snow-packed in just a few miles of climbing.
Washington Cascades
Snoqualmie Pass on I-90, Stevens Pass on US-2, and White Pass on US-12 carry heavy ski and holiday traffic all winter, and chain requirements can go up quickly near the summits.
Before you go, check TripCheck.com in Oregon or WSDOT’s mountain pass reports in Washington for chain requirements and closures, and pick up a Sno-Park permit if you’re parking at a Sno-Park.
Winter Prep Checklist
Our Certified Service team can check all of this in one visit:
- Tread depth and tire condition
- Tire pressure (it drops about 1 PSI per 10°F)
- Battery test
- Wipers and winter washer fluid
- Chains and an emergency kit in the car
Current Tire Service Offers
Tire Rotation and MPVI*
$20.00Coupon code 277
*Expires 12/26/2026. See dealer for complete details. Multi-Point Vehicle Inspections (MPVI) vary by participating dealer. Tire balancing, wheel alignment and tax extra.
Tire Pressure Monitor Sensor Rebate
Up to $40*Coupon code 313
*On the purchase and installation of four select GM Genuine Parts or ACDelco Original Equipment sensors ($10 rebate per sensor). Offer ends 11/30/2026. Purchase and installation must be made at a participating U.S. GM Dealer. Limit four tire pressure monitor sensor rebate claims per VIN. Rebate will be issued as a Visa® Gift Card. See mycertifiedservicerebates.com for details around how to claim rebate, which must be submitted by 12/31/2026.
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Winter-Ready Buick and GMC Vehicles
AWD is available on the GMC Terrain, GMC Acadia, Buick Encore GX, Buick Envision, and Buick Enclave. For gear-heavy ski weekends, the GMC Yukon, Canyon, and Sierra 1500 are available with 4WD.
Winter Tire FAQs
Do I need winter tires in the Pacific Northwest?
For in-town driving in Portland, Seattle, and the lowlands, good all-season tires and a set of chains are usually enough. If you head to the mountains regularly, winter or all-weather tires are worth it.
When are studded tires legal in Oregon and Washington?
November 1 through March 31 in both states. The season can be extended in years with late snow.
Do I need chains if I have AWD or 4WD?
Yes, carry them. Oregon’s AWD/4WD exemption only applies if chains are in the vehicle, and both Oregon and Washington can require chains on all vehicles in severe conditions.
Are all-weather tires the same as winter tires?
No. All-weather tires carry the snowflake symbol and can stay on year-round, but dedicated winter tires grip better in deep snow and on ice.
Can I put winter tires on just two wheels?
We don’t recommend it. Mixing tire types can make one end of the vehicle lose grip first and lead to a slide. Install winter tires on all four wheels.
How long does a seasonal tire swap take?
If your winter tires are already mounted on their own wheels, it’s quick. Mounting and balancing on your existing wheels takes longer. Book ahead in October and November, when demand is highest.
Get Winter-Ready at Weston Buick GMC
We help drivers across the Pacific Northwest get winter-ready. Visit us at 22555 SE Stark Street in Gresham or call (503) 665-2166.
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Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. Oregon tire and chain rules are summarized from ODOT and may change; always follow posted signs, TripCheck.com, and WSDOT. Weather outlooks and drive times are estimates. AWD and 4WD do not replace appropriate tires, chains, or safe driving. Service offers are subject to the terms shown; see dealer for details.