TIRE TIPS

No. There are many misconceptions about “All-Season” tires. The most important thing to understand is that they are not replacements for proper winter tires.

No. Many people believe that they are invincible with 4×4 on their vehicle, but this could not be further from the truth.

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.
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.

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. It’s not just about getting through the snow or ice more effectively, winter tires are constructed with a softer rubber compound, designed to grip the road far better in colder temperatures than their all-season counterparts.

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!

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.

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.

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.

No. Winter tires should only be sold in sets of 4. Failure to follow this recommendation could result in severe and dangerous handling conditions.

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

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.
See more winter tire reviews here.

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!

Since the mid 1990’s, vehicles have been built by the manufacturers with a cabin air filter. Much like how the air filter in your engine filters out dust and debris from getting into the engine, the cabin air filter does the same for the air you breathe inside the vehicle. Cabin air filter should be replaced regularly in your vehicle. It is no different then replacing the air filter in your furnace every season. Combining a filter change with an air quality service is a great way to ensure you are breathing in 100% clean air while driving in your vehicle everyday.

Doing what we call a “circle check” is a great practice to implement before heading out on the road. Checking items such as your tire pressures, making sure your fluids are at their proper levels, the spare tire is properly inflated in case of use, the headlights and taillights are all working, the tires are in good condition and even making sure you have a roadside kit all help. There is nothing worse then heading out on the road and something happens or slows you.

There are many things that can be done which will help to restore your vehicle’s fuel efficiency. The loss is due to a build up of carbon deposits in your engine. I’m sure you have seen the Shell Gasoline commercials depicting this. The carbon is a natural process which occurs in the engine. Performing a fuel system service, tune up and fuel filter replacement can greatly restore the fuel efficiency of your vehicle back to the first time you drove it. Even replacing a faulty oxygen sensor can improve fuel economy by as much as 40%.

It seems like those pesky potholes grow more and more each year. Potholes can cause tire impacts which show up as little bulges on the side of your tire. These are easily noticeable and would need to be addressed quickly as they can cause the tire to “blow-out.” Depending on speed and angle of the impact, other items such as causing the alignment to be out of factory specification can occur, or even creating a bend in the wheel, or worse, causing a crack in the wheel. The best advice we have is if you hit a pothole and it felt pretty bad while sitting in the driver seat, have it looked at just in case.

Annual trailer inspections can greatly help to spot any problems that may come up during a season of towing. Items such as bearings, brakes, tires and the hitch itself should be checked out each year to ensure their integrity. We always say that every time you hook up your trailer you should check the lights to make sure they are all working, along with the trailer connector and hitch assembly. An extra 5 – 10 minutes of preparation can save on unnecessary delays during your travelling.

We suggest that a regular monthly check of all your fluids is a great practice to ensure that you don’t run into any problems on the road. Checking your oil levels, transmission fluid level, coolant level and even your washer fluid level is a good practice. At the same time, have a check of your tire pressures.

Every vehicle has its own unique tire pressure requirements. Your vehicle’s proper tire pressure setting can be found on the tire placard located on the vehicle. For most vehicles, the placard can be found on the driver side front door frame or on the inside panel of the gas door. Some vehicles list the pressures for both summer and winter months.
Tire pressures should be checked on a regular basis; we say every 3-4 weeks is a good time frame. Properly inflated tire pressures will improve your gas mileage, tire wear and overall vehicle handling.

You do not need to take your vehicle in to maintain your warranty. It is however important that you keep all the records of the services performed outside of the dealership as proof of the maintenance on the vehicle(s).