What’s in your Emergency Car Kit?

Though Barrie’s winter has not been ideal for cold-weather outdoor enthusiasts, it is still likely Ontario will fall victim to at least one more cold snap, with harsh winds covering our roads in ice. Whether assisting a fellow driver on the side of the road or caught in your own predicament, it is always important to make sure you are prepared with a properly stocked emergency kit.

Necessities of your Emergency Car Kit

The following are recommended by the Government of Canada’s GetPrepared.ca site as items you should have in this kit.

● Food – that won’t spoil, such as energy bars

● Water – in plastic bottles so they won’t break if frozen (change every six months)

● Blanket

● Extra clothing and shoes

● First aid kit – with seatbelt cutter

● Small shovel, scraper and snowbrush

● Candle in a deep can and matches

● Wind–up flashlight

● Whistle – in case you need to attract attention

● Roadmaps

● Copy of your emergency plan and personal documents

Also, keep these additional items inside your trunk:

● Sand, salt or cat litter (non clumping)

● Antifreeze/windshield washer fluid

● Tow rope

● Jumper cables

● Fire extinguisher

● Warning light or road flares

Other Hints

It is also important to note that cell phones may significantly cut down on the time it takes for you to contact help, whether you are involved in an accident or are stranded on the side of the road. Ultimately, staying hydrated, warm and safe inside your vehicle will be key to riding out the wait for help, whether it is a few minutes or several hours.

To help avoid an accident, stop by one of Action Tires two locations and have one of our service representatives inspect your tires to ensure they’re ready to stand up to tough winter driving.

February 21, 2012 | Peter Labrecque | car maintenance and repair

Valentines Day Sweetheart Contest

Visit one of our two locations, Morrow Road or Bayview Drive, fill out a ballot for your chance to win a Passchal Handbag for you or your sweetheart. These bags are handmade using recycled inner tubes, “Designed with the Environment in Mind”.

With just one day left to enter the Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Contest, be sure to drop in before 12pm on Saturday, February 11 to meet our friendly staff and drop a ballot in the box! Fantastic prizes to be won include: A Passchal Handbag, a heart-shaped box of chocolates or one of two wheel alignments.

Fan of Action Tire? Like us on facebook!

February 10, 2012 | Peter Labrecque | Auto Service and Repairs

Understanding the Three T’s of Winter Tires – Temperature

Installing winter tires on your vehicle is a great step in ensuring you have a safe driving experience on the slippery winter roads within Barrie and surrounding area. However, simply installing winter tires is not enough. Understanding how ambient temperature (temperature inside the tire) can affect your winter tires can help make the difference in your safety and the life of your tires. In order to apply the 3 T’s of tires to winter tires, we need to talk about the temperature outdoors as the rolling temperature (inside the tire)

When changing from summer tires to winter tires, whether they are from the previous season or new, it is important to understand the three aspects of a winter tire: the tread depth, traction, and temperature can help make sure you reach your destination safely even when road conditions are treacherous.

This post on temperature is the third in our series of three about the most important aspects of buying winter tires in Barrie:

Temperature and your winter tires

All-season or summer performance tires used in freezing temperatures lose their elasticity and their ability to provide sufficient traction on frozen roads. Winter tires are manufactured with softer rubbers which remain pliable in cold temperatures down to -40°C. Temperature also affects the air pressure in your tires. With every 5°C drop in ambient temperature, the air pressure in your tires will drop 1 pound per square inch (PSI). Checking the air pressure in your tires at least once a month will help ensure optimal ride comfort, safety and prolong the life of your tires. Be sure to follow the vehicle manufacturers’ recommended inflation for your vehicle. Check with a tire professional before deviating from the recommended pressure.

What about All-season or Mud & Snow tires?

Tire with the designation “M&S” (located on your tire’s sidewall) or all-season radials are designed to perform safely in most weather conditions, including some aspects of winter driving. Transport Canada warns; this representation can be very misleading as these tires are not designed to perform in heavy snow or ice and can lose traction when temperatures dip below freezing. Look for tires stamped with the peaked mountain snowflake to ensure your tires have been built to stand up to frozen winter roads and extreme winter conditions.

Winter tires are purpose-built to handle harsh winter conditions with tread designed to evacuate snow from the tire, added sipes for increased traction on ice, and softer rubber designed to remain flexible in freezing temperatures.

Action Tire is a proud distributor of major tire brands such as: Bridgestone, Michelin, BF Goodrich, and many more top tire brands!

At Action Tire Barrie, your safety is always our first priority. Visit one of our two convenient locations and have one of our tire experts inspect your tires free of charge.

January 30, 2012 | Peter Labrecque | Snow tires, Tires in Barrie, winter tires

Action Tire Deep Freeze Experiment

What Happens when you put an All Season tire and a Winter Tire into a Freezer?

Four months ago, we took two tires: an ice tire and an all-season radial and placed them in a freezer in our showroom. Even after four months in sub-zero temperatures our ice tire remains flexible and moldable to the touch while our all-season radial has become rigid and unyielding, much like a hockey puck.

Come visit our 696 Bayview Drive location, check out our deep freeze and get a free Action Tire Ice Scraper Mitten*.

*While supplies last.

January 29, 2012 | Peter Labrecque | all season tires, Snow tires, Tires in Barrie, winter tires

Understanding the Three T’s of Winter Tires – Traction

With the weather fluctuations Barrie and Simcoe County have been enduring over the last few weeks, it’s no wonder car accidents have been on the rise. Heavy rain followed by even heavier snow falls and flash freezing can cause hazardous road conditions. However, by installing the proper winter tires for your vehicle, you can turn that stressful drive into a safe and comfortable experience.

Whether you are installing your winter tires from the previous season or shopping for new winter tires, understanding the three most important aspects of a winter tire: the tread depth, traction, and temperature can help make sure you spend winter trips on the roads, not in the ditch.

This post on traction is the second in our series of three about the most important aspects of buying winter tires in Barrie:

Why do I need to think about traction when buying winter tires?

Many vehicles on the road today employ the use of ABS and traction-control systems to provide you with better control. These systems, however, do not improve or create traction. Your performance is limited to the traction provided by your tires. Modern engineering has produced high-tech winter tires with digitally-optimized tread designs and features such as FleX-Ice, a state-of-the-art rubber silica-based compound exclusive to Michelin, to provide optimal traction and exceptional braking on ice.

Won’t All-Season tires provide the same traction?

An all-season tire is not designed for use during our harsh Canadian winters. The rubber used in an all-season tire becomes rigid and unyielding to the contours of the pavement when the temperature dips below 7°C. Winter tires are designed with softer rubber, which retain their elasticity in the coldest temperatures, providing you with the traction you need to stay on the road this winter. Look for the RMA/RAC Mountain Snowflake branded on a tire’s sidewall identifying a tire designed for use in severe snow conditions.

Action Tire carries a wide selection of winter tires to suit every driver’s needs. Whether you require an aggressive tread to combat deep, heavy snow and areas prone to drifting snow, or a tire designed to bite on icy roads like our major highways the staff at Action Tire will help you choose the right tire for you and your vehicle.

Call (705) 726-7868 to book a tire inspection or to receive a quote
Book a tire changeover or maintenance appointment online today.

January 20, 2012 | Peter Labrecque | Snow tires, winter tires

Happy Holidays

Wishing you happy holidays and a prosperous New Year ,

with warmest regards,

Alexa and Peter Labrecque

December 23, 2011 | Peter Labrecque | Tires in Barrie

Understanding The Three T’s of Winter Tires

A good set of winter tires can make the difference between feeling in control of your vehicle on icy roads, and having to be pushed out of a snowy situation in the middle of a blizzard.
Whether you are installing your winter tires from the previous season or shopping for new winter tires, understanding the three most important aspects of a winter tire: the tread depth, traction, and temperature can help make sure you spend winter trips on the road, not in a ditch.

This post on tread pattern is the first in our series of three about the most important aspects of buying snow tires in Barrie:

Tread

The tread of a tire refers to the rubber on its circumference that makes contact with the road. Over time the tread of a tire can wear down decreasing the effectiveness to grip the road. The tread of your tire has grooves called the tread pattern which is molded into the tread to fine-tune noise, handling, traction and wear. Tire treads patterns feature different basic designs to help them meet anticipated driving conditions.

Tire Tread Pattern

Tire tread patterns for a winter tire are specifically designed to dig down and bite into snow and ice. They are made from softer rubber compounds that retain their flexibility in cold weather, allowing the tire to better conform to the surface of the road. Each manufacturer offers several different tread pattern designs, so it is important to consult with a tire expert to understand which one will best suit your needs.

Some terms you may hear when discussing winter tires, snow tires or ice tires in regards to tread are:

Siping - this refers to the squiggly slits in the tread. They work something like a squeegee, removing water and snow from between your tire and the road. More siping increases flexibility (much like the bottom of a running shoe) Siping also works with the rubber compounds to maintain that flexibility in cold temperatures.
Agressiveness – refers to the tread pattern, or the design. The direction of these designs helps to clear snow from beneath the tire.
Voids – the spaces between the rubber on the tread block.

Without siping, an aggressive tread and an effective tread pattern with sufficient voids, your tire would function much like a rubber hockey puck sliding across the ice. It is the combination of these elements that can put your snow tires in the “good”, “better” or “best” category.

Choosing the best tire for your car, truck or van depends on your unique driving needs and the specific needs of your vehicle’s design . Taking the time to learn more about how your tires work with your vehicle to prevent sliding and allow you to drive safely and in control will help you make the best decision when you are deciding which tires to buy.

Action Tire carries a wide selection of winter tires with many different tread, traction, and temperature ratings. At Action Tire Barrie, your safety is always our first priority. Visit one of our two tire shops in Barrie and have one of our tire technicians inspect your tires for safety and wear.

Call (705) 726-7868 to book a tire inspection or to receive a quote
Book a tire changeover or maintenance appointment online today.

December 21, 2011 | Peter Labrecque | Snow tires, winter tires

Are You Still Driving Without Winter Tires in Barrie?

December is here and on the roads of Simcoe County many drivers still haven’t changed over to winter tires yet. Maybe you’ve held off because life is busy and you just haven’t had the time, or you are concerned about how much money you may have to invest in getting new tires for your vehicle. For some drivers the fact that they aren’t traveling far each day may be the reason they haven’t made getting snow tires a priority. Perhaps you’re driving on all-seasons to save some money?

Here are a few reasons we think you should stop by and see us soon:

1. It feels better to buy new tires than to pay an insurance deductible after an accident

At Action Tire, we’ve learned that for our customers, there can be a number of reasons why they haven’t made the switch. What is important to understand though, is that having proper winter tires for your vehicle can mean the difference between arriving safely, and paying a costly insurance deductible.

2. You can check out our high tech cold weather simulator… (freezer)

Winter tires are specifically designed for the cold temperatures we experience locally, helping them grip the road better than all seasons or summer tires. We feel strongly enough about showing you the difference, that we brought a freezer in to show you what happens to the different types of tires under cold temperatures, and how it affects the flexibility and grip of your tires on the road.

3. Our staff are rocket scientists.

Actually, we are tire experts, which means we have extensive knowledge about all of the tire types and manufacturers and know how to ask the right questions to understand your driving habits and your vehicle’s requirements to best suit your needs and budget. That kind of expertise requires product training and experience to develop, and in our minds, that means we are pretty smart cookies too.

4. We hate to see our customers with sad faces.

At this time of year, many people have suddenly realized they need winter tires. Fast. Which means inventory levels can drop quickly, and appointments also book quickly. The last thing we want to see is disappointment on your face, so make sure you avoid disappointment by calling us today. We are happy to answer your questions, offer a quote or explain the differences between tire types to you in person at one of our two convenient locations in Barrie.

Visit our Action Tire Bayview Drive Location Tire Experts:

Scott Steve Dave Peter

Visit our Action Tire Barrie Morrow Road Location Tire Experts:

Ryan Julie Meghann

Call 705-726-7868 to book a service appointment or get a quote. One number- two locations!

Request an appointment online

December 3, 2011 | Peter Labrecque | Snow tires, Tires in Barrie, winter tires

Winter Tire Tips from the Ministry of Transportation and Action Tire Barrie

When traveling on the icy and snowy roads of Barrie and Simcoe County this winter, you want to be sure your vehicle is a safe as possible. For this reason, the staff at Action Tire would like to share some of the most important tips from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation website.

Particularly, we’d like to remind you of the importance of making sure that when you are considering replacing winter tires, it is important to heed the Ministry’s advice on making sure you replace all four of the winter tires. Having different levels of wear on your tires can impact your vehicle’s traction and stability on winter roads.

Winter tires (or snow tires) marked with this symbol meet the requirements for excellent snow traction performance.

Keep your tires properly inflated:

Check the condition of your snow tires and check air pressures regularly. A winter tire can lose one pound of air pressure for every five-degree drop in temperature.

Do not mix different tire types on the same vehicle:

Avoid mixing snow tires of different tread patterns, construction and size. Replace any that are damaged or have worn treads.

Replace all four tires when putting on new snow tires:

It’s recommended you install four winter tires, even on front-wheel drive vehicles, for best control in slippery and snowy conditions. Vehicle handling will be improved when all four tires are replaced at the same time.

If you are looking for expert advice on how to select your winter tires, contact our Licensed Tire Technicians at Action Tire Barrie. (705) 726-7868

November 24, 2011 | Peter Labrecque | Snow tires, Tires in Barrie, winter tires

FOUR DRIVING CONDITIONS YOU NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THIS FALL

Living in the Snowbelt means most of us are very familiar with the kind of treacherous conditions Simcoe County winters have to offer. But winter is not the only season that demands we pay close attention to the road conditions. As temperatures dip during the fall you should be aware of road conditions you may experience and how to safely travel through them.

Rain:

Fall rains can make for slippery roads and you may run the risk of hydroplaning. Hydroplaning is when a layer of water builds up between the tires of your vehicle and the road surface. What happens is that your tires cannot grip the road very well causing a loss of traction, which affects your braking, steering, and acceleration.

If you find yourself hydroplaning :

make sure you are leaving enough space between your car and the car in front of you for braking
slow down, do not slam on your brakes
avoid making sudden movements with your steering wheel to help prevent spin-outs.

Fog:

Driving in fog can be extremely dangerous and is considered a serious hazard. Fog severely reduces visibility and your perception of distance changes. If you are ever driving in this condition make sure you reduce your speed and turn on your headlights. With your headlights on your vehicle will become more visible to other drivers.

Leaves:

As the leaves start falling you will find many roads and highways covered in them. When driving through a pile of leaves on the road, especially in wet conditions, keep in mind that they are slippery and reduce traction. When driving through leaves reduce your speed, avoid sudden turns, and avoid hard acceleration and braking.

Light changes:

When we set the clocks back an hour and the days become shorter we have less light in both the morning and evening, right when we use our cars the most. This presents a hazard to you because it becomes more difficult to see pedestrians, cyclists, and children. Make sure you are driving the speed limit and if you are having a hard time using your night vision, find alternative routes that are well lit.

If you haven’t already booked your fall maintenance appointment, now is the time.

An inspection of your brakes, headlights and tires can keep you traveling smoothly into fall andwinter.

November 22, 2011 | Peter Labrecque | Tires in Barrie