What are your hours of operation?

We are open Monday through Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

During the winter months, we have extended hours Monday through Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m.

Where are you located?

We have 2 locations to serve you better! We are located at 40 Morrow Road, Barrie and 696 Bayview Drive, Barrie. One easy phone number, two convenient locations: 705-726-7868.

What does it cost to change four tires?

Tire changeovers start at $23.00 per tire, plus taxes. This includes rubber valve stems, balancing, remounting on the vehicle, hand torque with follow-up       re-torque; at no additional cost.

Does your price include installation and balancing?

Yes.  We also hand-torque the wheels and clean the rims.

How long does it take to have my tires changed?

Depending on the vehicle, it can range from 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Do I need an appointment?

Although you can wait for an opening, we do schedule by appointment! It really takes the guess work out of getting your tires installed. The last thing that we want is for you to be waiting for an opening and be disappointed.

When should I change my summer tires to winter tires?

Believe it or not, it depends on if you have an “ice” tire or a regular “snow” tire. Ice tire manufacturers recommend that the best time to put on your tires is when constant temperatures reach 4 degrees Celsius or below. With regular snow tires, it is recommended that temperatures are 7 degrees Celsius and below.

When should I change my winter tires to summer tires?

Again, it depends on the tire. When temperatures are constantly 4 degrees and above, it is probably time to take off your ice tires. When it hits 7 degrees and above, your regular snow tires should come off. This will help with tire longevity.

What is the difference between an all-season and winter tire?

The biggest difference between an all-season and winter tire is the rubber compound that is used. Winter tires use a much softer rubber compound to maintain their flexibility in colder weather.

I’m going south for a month. Do I need to change my winter tires?

Using winter tires in warmer climate certainly affect the life of the tire. Wherever possible, it is recommended that you switch to your all-season tires since the softer rubber compound used in winter tires wears much quicker where temperatures are warmer.  Remember, you still need to get their safely.

What should the air pressure be for my tires?

Air pressures vary depending on the weight and model of the vehicle.  We recommend that you keep the air pressure at the level recommended on the information plate inside the driver’s door jam.  Should you not have the information handy, we will gladly advise you on the proper pressure.  We recommend you check your tire pressure at least once a month. Inflation is not a bad word in the tire business!

Do I really need to buy all four winter tires?

It is definitely recommended that you buy four winter tires when purchasing them. The reason is because of the effect that winter tires can have on braking balance in winter conditions. If you were to install two winter tires on the front and were in a heavy braking situation, the most braking would come from the front of the car and would get very little from the rear. With all the traction in the front, the momentum of the vehicle would tend to cause the rear end to swing around, inducing a spin.

From our experience, most people who buy only two tires eventually come back for the other two. If cost is an issue, we have some price conscious options!

Winter handling will be improved when identical tires are installed on all four wheels.

Transport Canada’s winter tire safety tips advise “To assist you in controlling your vehicle in winter conditions, always install your winter tires in sets of FOUR only.”  “Tires designed for use in snowy weather are marked with the peaked mountain with snowflake symbol.”

Do you sell rims?

We certainly do. Options range from steel and aluminum winter rims to full custom packages to suit your liking!

How do I know when my tires are worn out?

A tire is considered worn out when the remaining tread depth is 2/32s or less.  There are wear indicators in the grooves of the tread.  When the tread meets the wear indicator, it is considered worn out.  Other indicators: do you find your tires slippery under wet conditions?  Is there cracking due to old age?  If you are unsure of the condition of your tire(s), one of our qualified tire technicians will be happy to inspect your tires and advise you on their remaining life.

How often should I rotate my tires?

The frequency of tire rotation varies, depending on the type of automobile usage and we recommend you consult the vehicle maintenance guide or call us for advice. The general rule of thumb is to rotate your tire every second oil-change.

Can you plug my tire?

We highly recommend you do not have your tire repaired with an external plug though it will generally prevent air from leaking out.  The damage caused by a simple nail hole cannot always be determined from the outside.  It’s important that the tire be removed from the rim so that we can inspect the inside to determine whether it is safe to repair.  We recommend an inside radial repair which includes a rubber plug to protect the hole from outside elements, and a radial support patch on the inside that has body cords to support the damaged area.  Once the tire has been properly repaired, we clean the rim, valve hole and always install a new valve stem.  Our tire repair policy will give you driving peace of mind for many kilometres.

What is an environmental fee?

The environmental fee is a charge for new tires that eliminates that disposal fee that used to be charged on scrap tires. The fee is in accordance with the Ontario Tire Stewardship program that was launched on September 1, 2009, which aims to divert scrap tires away from landfills and stop tire burning. It makes tires easy to dispose of since any used tire can be dropped off at a registered Collector site. Within 5 years, the program expects to divert 90% of scrap on-road tires, and collect and recycle 50% of all scrap off-road tires.

The fee will be used exclusively to fund all aspects of the Program related to the management of used tires. Collection, storage, transportation, reuse and recycling, processing, research and development and consumer education are key elements.

Do you take credit cards / debit?

Yes.  We accept Visa, MasterCard and debit cards.

Do you take scrap tires?

Absolutely!

Do I need a speed-rated tire?

When replacing tires, you should maintain the vehicle manufacturer’s tire specification. These tires are matched to the vehicles by engineers and can have adverse effects on vehicle handling if changing the performance aspects of the tire.

Do you offer tire storage?

We do! You no longer have to ferry your tires back and forth to store them. We catalogue your tires and securely store them for you on-site for a nominal charge.

Do you do alignments?

We now offer alignments at our Morrow Road location. Call for an appointment!

Do you do any other mechanical work?

We perform undercar mechanical work as we have a Class-A Mechanic on-site.  We perform suspension work, brakes, ball joints, wheel bearings, tie rods, hoses and belts, batteries, drive shafts, alternators, U-joints and starters.