Tire Tips – www.xtremetiregarage.com
At Xtreme Tire Garage, we think it’s important to keep our customers informed about tire and car care issues. As Jason likes to say, “knowledge is power” and below are some of the most common questions we get asked at the shop. So, read on, and enjoy!
Q: “Do I still have to check my tire pressure if my vehicle has a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)?”
A: Yes. It is still important to check your tire pressure monthly - even if you have a TPMS on your car. Why? – Because some systems provide a warning only when a tire is significantly under inflated; the tire may in fact be close to failure. When a TPMS system warns that pressure is low, be sure to measure your tires’ pressure as soon as possible. Be safe. Check your owner’s manual.
Check out this link for more detailed information: www.tpmsmadesimple.com
The following video on youtube is also a great TPMS resource. Keep in mind that it is a U.S. production, but the bulk of the information is most relevant! Specifically the video called, “Today in America” with Terry Bradshaw.
Q: “Why are winter tires important?”
A: Despite the name, “all-season” tires aren’t the best option for winter driving conditions. If you want optimal handling and traction for winter road conditions and temperatures, winter-rated (look for the mountain snowflake on the sidewall) tires are recommended. Remember, four winter tires provide the best handling, traction and control in winter driving conditions and prevent your vehicle from sliding, especially when you need to brake heavily or stop quickly. And it’s not just about getting through the snow or ice more effectively, winter tires are constructed with a softer rubber compound, designed to hold the road far better in colder temperatures than their all-season counterparts.
Q: “Can Xtreme Tire Garage help me with tire storage?”
A: Remember how we strive to make things as easy as possible for our customers? Well, that’s why we have seasonal tire storage available. And it’s not just any storage! We offer no-hassle convenience; no more slugging dirty tires in and out of your vehicle. We will clean, electronically catalogue and store your off-season tires and rims in our climate-controlled warehouse so they’re not in your way, and they’ll be ready for you when it’s changeover time again. If only everything was that easy!
Q: “When should I install my winter tires?”
A: Winter tires are not meant to be driven all year long. First of all, they will wear too quickly, and winter tires are made with a different (softer) compound, designed for maximum performance in colder weather. We recommend that you install your winter tires when the temperature outside is consistently around 7 degrees Celsius or below. Winter tires will actually outperform all-seasons in cold but clear, dry conditions because of the way they are constructed and designed.
Q: “What can I do to prolong the life of my tires?”
A: There are several things you can do to extend the life of your tires, and these things also play a big part in safety and fuel economy, so this is one of the biggest and best questions we get!
First, keep in mind that 95% of your vehicle’s weight is supported by the tire pressure, which makes proper tire inflation a very important part of a tire’s ability to perform properly. So, the first tip is to be diligent about your tire pressure. Check your tire inflation once per month using a good quality tire gauge. You can find the recommended psi for your tires in your owner’s manual or on the Tire Information Placard. Check your tire pressure ONLY when your tires are “cold”. Cold means that your tires have been stationary for 3 or more hours, or your car has not been driven more than 2 km.
Second, check your alignment. Poor alignment will cause your tires to wear unevenly, not to mention its impact on fuel economy and issues with how your car handles. It doesn’t cost much to check alignment, and can save you a lot in the long-run!
Third, rotate and balance your tires. Because your tires wear at different rates, depending on whether they are in the front or back (among other factors), it is recommended that you rotate your tires approximately every 10,000km on average. To check what is optimal for your specific vehicle, check your owner’s manual.
Finally, it is recommended that you check the tread wear. It’s not as scary as you might think! You simply want to do a visual inspection and check for embedded objects, cuts or abrasions in the tread or on the sidewall area. If the tread of your tires is worn, you are at a greater risk for skidding and hydroplaning. Here’s a quick test you can do at home to check your tread wear (even the kids can help!). It’s called the “Bluenose” test: place a ten cent coin in the tire’s groove with the Bluenose’s sails facing down (the ship should be upside down). If you can see the top of the sails, then the tire needs replacing.
Q: “Do I still have to check my tire pressure if my vehicle has a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)?”
A: Yes. It is still important to check your tire pressure monthly - even if you have a TPMS on your car. Why? – Because some systems provide a warning only when a tire is significantly under inflated; the tire may in fact be close to failure. When a TPMS system warns that pressure is low, be sure to measure your tires’ pressure as soon as possible. Be safe. Check your owner’s manual.
Q: “Installing only 2 snow tires is better than none, right?”
A: No. Winter tires should only be sold in sets of 4. Failure to follow this recommendation could result in severe and dangerous handling conditions.
Q: “What is the Vehicle Information Placard?”
A: The Vehicle Information Placard is an extremely important item to find on your vehicle as it contains important pieces of information about your vehicle, including proper tire pressure. It’s sometimes hard to find though! What you are looking for is a white, rectangle sticker with information printed on it. It can be found in a lot of different places on your car, so here are a few suggestions on where to look:
- Driver’s side front door
- Driver’s side rear door
- Driver’s side “B” pillar (post closest to door hinge)
- Passenger side “B” pillar
- Passenger side front door
- Passenger side rear door
- Driver’s side “C” pillar (post closest to handle)
- Passenger side “C” pillar
- Fuel filler door
- Trunk/Hatch area
- Glove box
- Centre Console
- Sun visor
Q: “What are nitrogen tires and what are the benefits?”
A: Nitrogen-filled tires are not new, in fact, they have been used for years in airplane tires and in racing tires! Here’s a little chemistry lesson to get us started…Compressed air is composed of up to 78% nitrogen, 21 % oxygen and trace amounts of other gases, and in most cases, moisture, in the form of water vapour is also present. Nitrogen has a larger molecule than oxygen, and eliminates the issue of moisture. Because of this, nitrogen-filled tires tend to maintain their pressure longer as nitrogen molecules aren’t as likely as air-filled tires to escape through the sidewall over time. Incorrect tire pressure is a leading cause of tire wear and diminished fuel economy. Having nitrogen-filled tires does not eliminate the need to monitor your tire pressure. Consumer Reports did a year-long study on 31 different all-season tires and found that nitrogen reduced the loss in pressure an average of 1.3 psi over the course of a year, compared with compressed air. If you do not tend to check your tire pressure regularly – once per month is recommended – talk to us about the use of nitrogen in your tires. We can review your maintenance habits and establish whether it is a good fit for you.
Remember, we’re here to help! If you have questions, just ask. At Xtreme Tire Garage, our service advisors, automotive mechanics and tire technicians are always happy to explain exactly what’s going on with your vehicle and/or tires. It’s all about service, value, performance…to the Xtreme!