Tire change – better understand and see our tire brands

Are your tires starting to lose traction or have you noticed wear on their tread? It’s time to think about changing your tires.

When choosing the right summer or winter tires for your needs, there’s another important consideration: the size of your tires. You can find more information on this topic on this page, as well as a complete list of the quality tire brands we carry.

By law, in Quebec, it is mandatory to drive with winter tires from December 2nd to March 15th inclusively – note that the rest of the Canadian provinces do not require the use of winter tires during this period, but it is still strongly recommended.

Our advice

By making an appointment in October to have your tires installed, you’ll be properly shod before the first snowfall and avoid the November and December rush to the garage as the deadline approaches.

Good to know: summer tires lose significant grip below 7°C, which is why it is best to wait until at least the beginning of April before installing them, when temperatures become milder and the risk of snowfall lessens.

In the interest of saving money, some may be tempted to use their old winter tires during the summer season. Although it is legal, this practice is not recommended, as winter tires lose their rubber effectiveness above 7°C, increasing braking distance and compromising handling.

If your winter tires are already mounted on rims, it is possible to install them yourself. However, the operation requires a minimum of equipment, such as a jack and a wheel wrench with an extension bar, as well as some muscle power to tighten the bolts.

If you’re not comfortable with this kind of maneuvering or would rather simplify your life, leave the changing of your winter and summer tires to professionals like those at West Island Garage and Tires.

Although by law, the tread thickness must be a minimum of 2/32″, it is strongly recommended, for increased safety, to change your tires as soon as it reaches 4/32″.

To know when to change your tires, you can rely on the wear indicators located at the bottom of the tread grooves (their position is indicated by an arrow or a drawing on the sidewall of the tire). If the tread is equal to the indicator, the tires should be changed.

You can also buy a depth gauge (available in specialty stores and many department stores), which will allow you to quickly know if your tires can handle another season or not.

If you don’t have this tool and your tires don’t have a wear indicator, you can always opt for the famous 25-cent technique. To do this, insert the coin into the bottom of the tire where it looks most worn, with the snout of the caribou facing down. If the tip of the caribou remains completely visible, your tires are too worn.

Also remember to check the production date of your tires: over time, rubber dries and tends to crack. You should never drive on tires that are more than 10 years old.

When uneven tire wear is noticed, different causes can be pointed out. For example, excessive wear on the inner or outer edge most likely indicates a tire alignment problem, while central wear often occurs when the tire is over-inflated. Camber and suspension misalignment can also play a role in abnormal tire wear.

Tire rotation is essential to equalize tire wear. Depending on the type of vehicle and traction (front, rear or four-wheel), your mechanic can, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, invert the front tires with the rear ones, or in an interlocking manner. Ideally, tires should be rotated every 8,000 or 10,000 km or when your winter and summer tires are installed. By doing so, you will extend the life of your tires and improve their performance.

Note that those who have a full size spare tire (not the small rigid ones) must include it in the rotation.

A rule that also applies to vehicles with dual rear wheels

Owners of this type of vehicle should also ensure that their tires are rotated every six months or after driving between 10,000 and 13,000 km.

According to the type of vehicle

Winter, summer, or all-season tires are chosen first and foremost according to the type of vehicle you own: some types of tires are designed for cars, small SUVs, crossovers, and minivans, while others are designed for utility vehicles or super sports cars. There are also commercial and off-road tires.

Among all these tires, it’s also possible to find different grades, where the quality (and price) varies.

Depending on the size of the tires

The next step is to determine the appropriate tire size for your vehicle. As a general rule, your tire size requirements (i.e., width in millimeters and sidewall height) can be found on the driver’s door frame, in the fuel door or in the glove box. This information is also available in the manufacturer’s manual that comes with the vehicle.

At these locations, you’ll find other essential tire information, such as the speed rating (the maximum speed the tire can handle) and the load index (the maximum load the tire can handle).

For example, would you like to choose 17″ wheels when your car has 15″ wheels? It is possible, yes, but under certain conditions. To ensure that your vehicle remains compliant and meets safety standards, you will need to make sure you choose tires of an appropriate size. Remember that fitting larger wheels will raise your vehicle above the ground and that this modification could alter the speedometer readings.