Changing tires before your holiday: ensure a safe journey home

Changing tires before the winter season means preparing your car for challenging weather and road conditions by replacing summer tires with winter ones or fitting a seasonally appropriate set of wheels. This procedure is especially important for drivers who are planning a flight trip in autumn and will leave their car for several days or weeks. Even if the weather is still warm on the day of departure, by the time you return to Lithuania you may be met with frost, snow, and slippery roads.

When planning a holiday, it’s common to arrange flight tickets, accommodation, luggage, and transport to the airport well in advance. However, it’s just as important to think about how you’ll get home once your trip is over. If you’re travelling to the airport in your own car, its technical condition and suitable tires matter both when you leave and when you return.

ADMITAparking would like to remind you: if you’re planning a holiday in late autumn, arrange your winter tire change before leaving your car at the parking lot. This way, you won’t have to rush to figure out how to safely get home in a car that isn’t yet ready for the winter season.

Why is it important to think about winter tires before your autumn holiday?

Autumn trips are often planned around destinations with warmer climates. As the days grow shorter and the weather cools in Lithuania, travelers head off to places where they can still enjoy the sun. As a result, holiday preparations naturally focus on the destination rather than the conditions awaiting them upon return.

However, in late October or early November, weather conditions in Lithuania can change within just a few days. Before departure, the roads may be dry and temperatures above freezing, but by the time you return, you could be facing morning frost or the season’s first snow. If your car is left with summer tires, such changes can make the journey home considerably more difficult.

It’s especially important to consider exactly when you’ll be returning. In Lithuania, from 10 November to 31 March, passenger cars may not be used with summer tires. So if you leave before 10 November but return after that date, the seasonal tire change must be done before your trip if the car will be used for the journey home.

This isn’t just a formal requirement. Winter tires are designed for lower temperatures and more demanding road conditions. Keeping them in good condition can help maintain better grip on cold, wet, or snow-covered surfaces.

Changing tires before your trip helps avoid inconvenience upon your return

After a holiday, especially a long flight, most people want to get home as quickly as possible. Travelers are tired, have luggage to manage, and sometimes small children in tow. At a time like this, extra worries about your car are the last thing you need.

Imagine this scenario: you leave for a one- or two-week holiday in late October, leave your car at the airport parking lot with summer tires, and return to find winter weather conditions. Even if the car is in good technical condition, tires unsuited to the season can make it difficult—and even unlawful—to continue your journey safely.

That’s why changing your tires before you leave is a practical solution that reduces the likelihood of such situations. By arranging winter tires in advance, you can focus more on your trip and avoid unnecessary extra planning once you’re back.

Of course, changing your tires doesn’t replace careful driving. When you return in winter weather, you’ll still need to assess road conditions and visibility and choose an appropriate speed. Still, proper tires are one of the most important elements of preparing your car.

What’s worth checking before leaving your car at the airport parking lot?

Before heading off for an extended period, it’s worth assessing your car not only in terms of trip planning but also from a technical standpoint—especially if your holiday falls during a period when weather conditions may shift from autumn-like to wintry.

First, you should check the condition of your tires. If your winter tires have been used for several seasons, it’s important to check tread depth, wear, and any possible damage. In Lithuania, the tread depth of winter tires on passenger cars must be no less than 3 mm. However, simply meeting the minimum requirement doesn’t necessarily mean the tires will provide the best grip in difficult conditions.

It’s also worth checking tire pressure. As temperatures change, pressure can drop, and incorrect pressure can affect vehicle handling and tire wear. If your car will be parked for several weeks, having the correct pressure before you leave is especially important.

Before winter, it’s also worth paying attention to your battery’s condition, windshield washer fluid, wiper blades, and lighting system. A car that sits in cold weather for several days or weeks should be ready not only to start but also to safely make the journey home upon your return.

Why is it worth having seasonal tire fitting done at a professional auto service centre?

Proper tire fitting is an important part of preparing your car for winter. When changing tires, it’s essential to take into account their dimensions, construction, direction of rotation, and the car manufacturer’s requirements.

If tires are fitted onto the same rims, they are removed, a different set is fitted, and the wheels are balanced. Balancing helps ensure smoother wheel rotation and reduces the likelihood of vibration while driving.

Improperly balanced wheels can cause discomfort, especially on longer trips at higher speeds. That’s why tire fitting and balancing are tasks best left to qualified specialists.

If your car has separate sets of summer and winter wheels, the scope of seasonal changeover work may vary. Even so, it’s still important to assess the condition of the wheels, tire pressure, and any signs of previous wear.

At ADMITAmotors service centres, part of the ADMITA group, you can have your tires professionally fitted and balanced. Specialists also assess tire condition and, if needed, provide recommendations for their continued use.

Where can you change your tires before your holiday?

If you’re planning to fly out of Vilnius or Kaunas Airport, it’s worth arranging your winter tire change in advance rather than waiting until the last few days before your flight.

ADMITAmotors service centres operate in Vilnius, Kaunas, and Kėdainiai, offering tire fitting, balancing, and other vehicle maintenance services. This makes it possible to prepare your car for winter well before you leave for your holiday.

Professionally performed tire fitting matters not only for convenience but also because it allows uneven tire wear or damage to be spotted in time. If you need tire repair or an additional technical inspection, it’s worth asking about this when booking.

By booking your appointment in advance, you can plan your trip preparations more conveniently. You shouldn’t leave the tire change until the day of departure, since there’s already plenty to organise before a flight.

You can find out more about available vehicle maintenance services and service centre locations on the ADMITAmotors website.

And where should you leave your car when heading off on holiday?

Once your car’s technical condition is taken care of, the next important step is reserving a parking space.

Travelling to the airport in your own car is a convenient choice for many people, especially when travelling with family, extra luggage, or during an early morning departure. There’s no need to coordinate pick-up times, plan transfers, or rely on public transport schedules. However, it’s important to decide in advance where your car will be parked for the entire duration of your holiday.

ADMITAparking offers parking near Vilnius, Kaunas, Palanga, and Warsaw airports. Depending on the car park you choose, drivers can take advantage of automated entry, long-term parking, and other conveniences described on the website.

Booking your parking space in advance lets you plan your arrival and avoid having to search for a spot before your flight. This is especially useful during busier holiday periods, when you want as few organisational worries as possible.

When travelling in winter or late autumn, this kind of planning becomes even more important. A properly prepared car, a clear parking spot, and a planned route home all help make the whole trip run more smoothly.

What to remember when you return after a few weeks

Even if you had your tires changed before leaving, it’s worth taking a few minutes to check your car’s condition when you return. A longer period of parking doesn’t automatically mean something will go wrong, but in winter it’s worth paying attention to how the battery is performing, tire pressure, and any snow or ice that may have built up on the car.

Before you set off, clear the windows, mirrors, lights, and any other areas that could limit visibility. If your car has been parked through significant temperature changes, check that the tires aren’t visibly deflated.

It’s important not to rush and to choose a speed suited to actual road conditions. Even good-quality winter tires don’t guarantee the same level of grip on every surface. On icy stretches, keep a greater distance from other vehicles and manoeuvre more carefully.

Small steps like these help bring your trip to a close without unnecessary worry. After all, a holiday doesn’t end when the plane lands—you still need to get home safely.

Take care of your tires and parking spot before your trip

When preparing for an autumn or winter holiday, it’s important to think not only about leaving but also about returning. If your trip falls during the period when Lithuania’s seasonal tire requirements change, changing your tires should be one of the key preparation tasks.

At ADMITAmotors service centres in Vilnius, Kaunas, and Kėdainiai, part of the ADMITA group, experienced specialists provide professional tire fitting, balancing, and vehicle maintenance services. Before your trip, you can arrange a convenient appointment time in advance and get your car ready for winter.

Once your car is ready, there’s one more important step left—a convenient parking spot for the duration of your holiday.

Planning a flight? First, book a tire change at an ADMITAmotors service centre, then choose one of ADMITAparking’s car parks near the airport. Prepare your car before you leave, so that your journey home after your holiday is as smooth and safe as possible.