So how old are my tires anyway? And why should I care?

Tires deteriorate over time due to UV and air exposure in a process called outgassing.  As the tire ages, the rubber becomes harder and more brittle which can eventually lead to major tire failure like tire-tread separation.  Definitely not a good thing.   Experts say that tire-tread separation can cause drivers to be involved in serious crashes that could result in death. 

Manufacturers suggest tires be replaced if they are over 10 years old.  It’s not only important to check how old your current tires are but when it comes time to buy new tires you want to check how long they’ve been sitting on the store shelf too. 

Checking a tires age is actually pretty easy and fun to do.

Every tire has a “manufactured-on” date.  It’s a 4 digit number found right on the side of  the tire.  To find it, look for a marking with the letters ‘DOT’, there should be a 4 digit number close by.  Something like 1411. 

The first 2 digits indicate the week of the year the tires were made, so 14 means the 14th week in a calendar year, which would be sometime in April.  The last 2 digits indicate the year the tires were made, so 11 would mean there tires were made in the year 2011.

Mobile tire-changing companies bring the garage to your door

About three years ago, a pregnant Crystal Karam looked out the window at the falling snow and shuddered. With her husband out of town on business and no snow tires on her car, she felt helpless and had no clue who to call.

“I thought, ‘Why can’t someone come to my house and put them on?’”

Fast-forward a year later and the young mother of three opened Tire Changers, a mobile tire-changing company that brings the technician to your home or work.

“It’s a service of convenience,” says the 30-year-old entrepreneur, whose customers range from single moms and busy families to seniors who don’t want the hassle of lugging heavy tires back and forth to the garage to get them changed over in the fall and spring.

For $59, a technician will mount your seasonal tires — they have to be on rims — in your driveway.

[The Ottawa Citizen]

[Bridgestone]

I hear it all the time, living on the East Coast: "Well, I need an all-wheel drive car because it rains and snows sometimes." But those in the know are well aware that the right kind of rubber is really more important than anything else.

This video from the UK's AutoExpress seeks to prove just how true that is. They get two Ford Kugas (Ford Escapes to us Americans), one with front-wheel drive and one with all-wheel drive, and they see which one is better at powering up a snowy slope.

The front-drive car doesn't make it very far up the hill with its summer tires — and the all-wheel drive version fails to do any better with the same tires. When equipped with winter tires, the front-driver obliterates the all-wheel drive Kuga that's still stuck on summer tires.

The one that does best of all is the all-wheel drive Kuga with winter tires, which makes it all the way up the ski slope. Not surprising. But the video is excellent proof that the tires make all the difference.

So the next time someone insists on spending more on an all-wheel drive car and they don't live in some perpetually snow-covered place like Colorado or Alaska, use this to maybe convince them to spend that cash on the right set of tires instead. [Jalopnik]

Last week Tire Changers set up a booth at Canada Post in support of United Way :) On November 1st and 2nd, we will be at Canada Post offering an amazing discount to CP employees. Sign up online through our Onsite events page. Special thanks to Larissa for all her hard work in organizing this event for us!


If your work place would be interested in this offer, please contact us for further details

This season Tire Changers and United Way Ottawa are combining their efforts to offer local businesses a unique opportunity to both fundraise and boost productivity!
Have your tires changed at work and Tire Changers will donate 10% of all proceeds back to your business' United Way campaign. Employees also receive a significant discount and pay only $40 (40% less than our regular price). Can't get any easier than that! :)     

Check this link for more details.

You asked for it and we listened! Starting this season we're offering a quick-and-not-so-dirty cleaning service. For an extra $29.99 ($5 less with coupon) our tech will do a basic vacuum, give your dash a good wipedown, apply a Rain-X application on your front windshield and finally, give your summer tires a brilliant shine. It's the perfect combination to get your vehicle back in tip top form after a tiring winter! 

_From us at Tire Changers, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
May your holidays be merry, bright and SAFE; remember to drive safely and always arrange for a designated driver.

Thank you for choosing Tire Changers, we look forward to seeing everybody again in the spring :)