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At Home Tire Storage Tips

2/4/2021

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Tire storage may not be the most popular choice of conversation at the dinner table, but did you know that storing your tires incorrectly could lead to rapid tire and rim deterioration? Here are a few storage solutions to help stretch the lifespan of your tires.
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Storing Your Tires in Your Shed?

  • ​Make sure the bottom of your shed walls and door have a good seal. This prevents excess moisture from entering your shed and corroding the metal on your rims. 
  • Have your tires placed on a small platform. Even better, store your tires on a dolly with casters so you can easily move them around. We like this one from Canadian Tire.
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Storing Tires Along the Outside of Your House?

  • Try not to, if you can avoid it. Canadian weather is...well, crazy. Our temperatures fluctuate from high to low on any given day. This means the rubber on your tires go through physical torture (ok, ok, I’m over exaggerating here) and as a result age much quicker. For more information on how to read the age of your tires, click here.
  • If you have to store your tires outdoors, make sure you pick a shaded area. This will prevent sun damage. A thick tarp should also be used to block off the elements. Something like this one from Amazon will do the trick. ​
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Storing Your Tires in Your Garage?

  • Storing your tires in your garage is probably the best way to go. Although the temperature in the garage does fluctuate based on the weather, the conditions are the most stable considering your house provides a bit of heat in the winter, and the dark space provides coolness in the summer. 
  • Wall mounted storage solutions are great for keeping your tires out of the way of traffic and keeping them off the moist ground. We like this one from Rona, for example. ​
  • Tire hooks are another easy solution. Make sure you pick the ones that will best mate with your rims. We thought these ones from Amazon looked neat!
  • REMEMBER: check the weight and size specifications. If you have monster tires, chances are these options won’t cut it. Also, if you are not familiar with how to find the studs in your walls, perhaps have a professional help with the initial installation. The last thing you would want to happen is have your system fail and tires fall on something or someone.
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TIRE BAGS : YAY OR NAY? 

Tires ON Rims:
DO NOT store your tires in plastic bags. Moisture will collect and will lead to excessive rust on your rims. Breathable cloth bags are a better solution if you wish to bag your tires. ​
Tires OFF Rims:
In this case you can store your tires in bags. Vacuum sealed is even better. This will prevent air from drying out the rubber which could lead to premature tire cracking.

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Car Insurance Discount to Ontario Drivers with Winter Tires

9/25/2020

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Canadian winters can be harsh and at times dangerous. We all know that having winter tires on is a great way to ensure some extra safety and traction while driving in unpredictable conditions.

Did You Know?
In 2016, the Ontario government created a new rule that pushed insurance companies in the province to provide a discount to drivers who buy and install winter tires. This discount is not just about saving money, but more about reducing potential danger on our roads. By having winter tires on your vehicle, both yourself and the insurance company benefit. That is why insurance companies offer a 5% discount if your vehicle is equipped with winter tires.

Here’s How:
To take advantage of this discount, call your insurance company and ask for the following details: 
  • What are the general winter tire requirements
  • What are the dates in which my winter tires must be on my vehicle? (In Ontario, the majority of insurance companies request you have your tires on before December 1st)
  • How do I show proof that I have winter tires installed
  • ​How much do I save
  • How do I receive the savings, ie: check in the mail or automatic deduction

More Information:
Visit Ontario.ca for more information! 

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March 17th, 2020

3/17/2020

1 Comment

 
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1 Comment

Buying Used- Tire Information

3/2/2020

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​What to Look for When Buying Used Tires Off Kijiji

​

All too often we want to be proactive and buy used to save money. Although buying used tires is economical, it is not always obvious what you are getting into. Read on to find out more about what to check for when buying used tires.
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​Size Matters

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​Check what tire size your vehicle requires before you begin your search. You can check your tire size on the sticker located on the inside of the driver side door panel.
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DOOR PANEL
STICKER: 


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*note: this image does not reflect the given example and is only for reference
In this example, we can see that the tire size is 255/55R18. 
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The first number, 255, is the measurement in millimeters taken from the outside of the outer wall to the outside of the inner wall of the tire. To better understand where this measurement is taken from, imagine cutting the tire in half and measure from the fattest points of the rubber.

The 55 is the aspect ratio of the tire given as a percentage. It is the sidewall height (from the bead where the tire seats on the rim to the tread surface) as a percentage of the tire width.
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The last number, 18, is the diameter of the rim in inches.

​Once you are familiar with these measurements, you can begin your search. Any tire for sale that has a dimension bigger or smaller than the one shown on your vehicle should be checked by your dealership to ensure the percent differential is within the 3% allowance mark.
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Condition:


​Once you have mastered down the understanding of the correct tire size for your vehicle, you can begin searching online. The quality of the tires is very important when buying used compared to new. Don’t be shy to ask the seller to send you photos of each tire each side of the tires. You may also ask for some close up photos to see if there is any cracking happening in the rubber. Taking this step can save you a lot of time.

What to look for:
​

    1- The “DOT” marking on the tire is the week and year the tire was manufactured. Try to buy tires that are less than 5 years old to ensure the rubber has not deteriorated.

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2- Inspect the tire tread depth on all 4 tires. Do they meet the requirement? Click here to read more about tire tread depth. 

3- Outer and inner wall should have no deep scratches or bulges. Also, try pinching or pushing at the rubber, there should be no signs of micro cracks. Check for any patches or plugs. A punctured tire may not last as long as a fully intact tire.

​4- Make sure your tires are a matching set. They should be the same size (width and aspect ratio) and have similar tread wear and a similar tread pattern.
​

Tips:


Always maintain the recommended tire pressure (indicated on the sticker located on the inside of the driver side door panel).

Ask your tire technician to rotate your tires in pairs. The two front tires change place with the pair in the back. This ensures tread depth is balanced on the axel.

Tires should not be stored outside in the sun. The UV’s accelerate the deterioration of the rubber. Store in your garage or shed.

Don’t be shy to call an expert to ask simple questions. It could save you!


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Summer Tires

3/9/2019

2 Comments

 
Typically, summer tires should be installed on your vehicle when temperatures are hovering at 7 degrees celsius. Because summer tires are made of a harder rubber than winter tires, they perform differently in different temperature conditions.

Many drivers may not know that summer tires need just as much tread depth attention as their winter tires do. In our climate we sometimes use our summer tires longer than our winter tires, so the wear and tear can take a toll on them.
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It is also important to check the tire tread depth. Good tread depth is important in summer conditions. Gripping the road and eliminating the chances of hydroplaning in wet weather are the main reasons good tread depth is important.

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A tread depth gauge or a simple quarter can be used to check this:

​5mm - tire tread depth is good

3mm - tire tread is low and needs replacing very soon
1.5 mm - tire tread depth is too low and needs to be replaced

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Be sure to check your tires for cracks or bulges on the side walls. If anything looks abnormal, it is best to take your tires to a garage to have them repaired or replaced. You can also ask your Tire Changers technician about your tire’s condition.

​
If your tires do need replacing, there are many places throughout the city you can take them to to have them recycled.
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Avoid Potholes this Spring

2/13/2018

4 Comments

 
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Spring driving unfortunately means dodging or hitting potholes. Running into one could be damaging to your tire and rim. Here are some key points to follow to lessen your chances of damaging your precious vehicle:

1. Keep your tire air pressure topped up. Hitting a pothole with low tire pressure can lead to rim damage and will likely become a costly repair.

2. Two hands on the wheel. We have the most control of our vehicle when our hands are placed at 9 and 3 on our steering wheels. If a pothole is approaching and it is safe to steer around it, this position will give you the most control while steering around it.

3. Slow down and do not tailgate. Keep enough distance from the car ahead of you so you can have clear view of what’s to come on the road. Tailgating is dangerous as it is and adding potholes in the spring just adds to the potential damage you can do to yourself and vehicle.

4. If you’re going to hit a pothole, make sure you get off the breaks just before you hit one. This will reduce the pressure on the front suspension and allow the suspension to do its job when absorbing the impact from the pothole.

5. Report potholes. The city of Ottawa has an easy online system for the public to use to report potholes on the road. You can also call 3-1-1 or 613-580-2400. The information you submit can save others the headache of hitting dangerous potholes.


Check for Damages

The tires. It is important to have your tires filled with air to the proper specifications. If not, hitting a pothole could mean damaging the tire and rim Check for bulges along the sidewall of the tire and check for any tread tears. Having a damaged tire can lead to many problems and can be very dangerous.

The rims. Hitting a pothole hard could lead to bends, cracks or chips on the rims. Always check the rims very carefully because even a hairline crack may mean your rim is no longer safe for driving on.  

Alignment and suspension. The suspension is there to absorb any impact the vehicle runs through. After hitting a pothole, the suspension and alignment can be thrown off. If you begin to feel vibration and/or pulling to one side while driving, best to take your car to a garage to have it checked out.

The body. Going over a large pothole can sometimes scrape the underside of the vehicle. Check to see if the exhaust, side skirts and bumper are still intact. A short visit to the garage may be a good idea if you suspect damage was done.

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"The Unobvious Ones"

10/20/2016

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Tire Changers and owner Crystal Karam were featured in Septembers Automotive News - "The Unobvious Ones".
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Hit the Road

4/14/2016

1 Comment

 
Tire Changers featured in national tire magazine, TireNews by Autosphere (page 18 &19).

Nationwide, the automotive industry is taking notice: mobile tire changing services are a welcome alternative to the typical garage experience.

Check out the full article below!
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1 Comment

Why it Pays to Have your Tires on Rims

4/1/2015

3 Comments

 
Here we can see that the break even point occurs after only 1-1/2 years!
Furthermore, after 4 years the savings add up to $280, definitely not pocket change!

So if you're one of the smart ones out there with winter tires on separate rims, you can now tell your co-workers that you're saving a pile of money and you have the added convenience of having Tire Changers come to your home :)
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Winter Tires on Steel Wheels
It seems like many drivers out there use steel (black) rims for their winter tires, let's find out why.

We called our local Canadian Tire to get prices for averaged sized steel rims, the cost was about $200 for 4 steel rims, aka 'steelies'.  The charge for a tire changeover on separate rims was $40 and the charge for a tire changeover with one set of rims was $100.

The cost for a tire changeover with one set of rims is higher because mounting tires on a single set of rims take a much longer and is more labour intensive.  

Each off-season tire would need to be removed from the rim, then the in-season tire would have to be put back on the rim, and then the tire and rim would need to be re-balanced (balancing is a process by which small weights are added to the rim so that the complete tire and rim roll smoothly).

Let's see how much it will cost after a few years in both cases...

3 Comments

Is it Worth Buying Tires in the USA?

9/10/2014

7 Comments

 
How to Buy Tires from the USA for the Biggest Savings

It’s no secret that the price of tires in the Unites States are cheaper than here in Canada; the real question is ‘How big of a discount are we talking here?’ and then ‘You had me at ‘big discount’, how to?’.

To make it easy I’m going to select a popular tire size (215/60-16) for my comparison. You may have a different tire size but the end results will likely be similar.

I live in Ottawa, ON and the closest American city is Ogdensburg, NY, which is about a 50 minute drive. Similar results will apply if you live in any Canadian city close to the US border.

To buy tires from the USA, I usually head over to these popular websites: TireRack.com, DiscountTire.com and Walmart.com. Obviously there are plenty other options, but these three tire retailers will make my point.

If you’re buying from Tire Rack or Discount Tire, you will need to have the tires shipped to an American address. Businesses that can act as your US address, like the UPS store in Ogdensburg, will accept parcels on your behalf for a small fee.  If you’re buying from Walmart.com, they will ship any item on their website to any American Walmart store for free (they call it ‘site to store’).

Getting back to the tire price comparison. I mentioned a popular tire size of 215/60-16. I’m also going to choose a very popular winter tire, General Tire Altimax Arctic. It was pretty easy to find this tire/size combination across every website for the comparison.

Next, I’m going to compare tire prices from our American friends to the tire prices at Canadian Tire. Keep in mind that this chart should serve as a general reference, as every store has sales and discounts from time to time. The table below includes all of the costs associated with buying tires in Canada and in the USA.

*Initial tire prices are in the currency of store location. All prices are based per tire assuming a set of 4 tires will be purchased (eg. cost of toll fee and gas has been divided by 4).
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Some interesting things to note are that Tire Rack adds a delivery charge and NY sales tax at checkout, while Discount Tire does not charge for shipping and does not charge state tax. All prices have been converted to Canadian Dollars for an apple-to-apple comparison (exchange rate at time of writing USD/CDN: 1.09).

Furthermore, if you want to have your tires mounted and balanced, the American Walmart store will do it for $15/tire, watch out though, they will only install tires that are sized according to car manufacturers guidelines. So it’s good to call ahead just to make sure. If you buy from Tire Rack or Discount Tire, bring them home, any local garage can mount and balance for about  $20/tire.

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So there you have it, buying tires from the USA can save you over $300 for one of the most popular tire brands and size. And now you know how to do it for yourself.

To help you make it even easier to see the potential discount, I have added a calculator that includes all of the fees and costs required to purchase from the USA. Simply enter the price for one tire from each retailer as advertised and see if it’s worth the effort to buy from the USA.









Drop some feedback below and let me know how much money are you able to save on your tires!


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    Crystal Karam

    Customer service has always been my strong point. As the owner of Tire Changers, I believe my customers deserve nothing but the best. The best part of my job is working hard all day and receiving the most thoughtful reviews by our loyal customers at the end of each day. 

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