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TIRE MAINTENANCE
Tire maintenance will help keep your vehicle safe. Learn about tire pressure, tread depth, condition and wear patterns, rotation and wheel balancing.
Tire Pressure
Why this is important
The most frequent cause of tire failure is under-inflation. Even extreme under-inflation can be difficult to detect by mere visual inspection - don't depend on it, use a personal tire pressure gauge. Under-inflated or overloaded tires generate high levels of destructive, internal heat, which could cause your tires to blow out. Extreme under-inflation can even unseat the tire from the rim while your vehicle is in motion.
What's included
Measure tire pressure on all four tires, and ensure that it meets the factory specification for the correct size tire/car.
Having an accurate and easy to read tire gauge is the best tool to help ensure that you have the correct tire pressure in your car at all times. Canadian Tire offers many easy to use and read gauges.
Check your owner's manual for the recommendations for your vehicle. They can also be found labeled on door edge or post, glove box or fuel filler doors depending on make/model.
When to have this done
Check tire pressures at least twice a month -- especially after sudden temperature changes. Tire inflation pressure drops 1psi for every 5.5°C drop in outside temperature. Check inflation when tires are COLD: when the vehicle has been driven less than 2km.
Did you know?
Correct air pressure can help improve vehicle safety, fuel economy, tire life and braking distance.
Tire Tread Depth
Why this is important
Tire tread depth is a measure of how deep the tread is on a set of tires, giving you an idea of how much wear is left on your tires before they will require replacement. Each tire has a 'tread wear indicator' (they look like narrow bars of rubber) which will help serve as a guide to when the tire will need to be replaced. Having worn out tires is a safety hazard and can impact fuel economy and performance.
What's included
Visual inspection of tires for visible tread wear indicators.
Provide recommendation based on measurement of tread depth.
When to have this done
When an oil change is performed.
If you begin to lose traction and/or notice reduced fuel economy.
Did you know?
Typically on modern tires, if the tread wear indicators are showing flush with tread on your tires, there is only 1/16" left (this is often expressed as 2/32", 32nds of an inch is the industry standard for tread depth measure).
Tire Condition/Wear Patterns
Why this is important
The amount of wear on your tires is a good indicator of how much life you have left in your tires. Tire wear could also indicate other problems you are having with your suspension system, steering or wheels. Monitoring tire condition will also help you ensure that you don't have a blow out or other tire failure while driving. By carefully monitoring and analyzing tire wear patterns you can help catch problems both with your tires and other components of your car before they become serious.
What's included
Visual inspection of tire tread to detect problems with both the tires themselves and other components of the car.
Common types of tire wear:
Over-inflation - This will cause uneven/excessive wear towards the centre of the tire's tread. Proper inflation will help ensure this does not happen, and the tire wears evenly.
Under-Inflation - This will cause uneven/excessive wear towards the outside of the tire's tread, as it causes too much contact with the outer treads. Proper inflation will help ensure this does not happen, and that the tire wears evenly.
Feathering - This condition is caused when the edge of each tread rib develops a slightly rounded edge one side, and a sharp edge on the other. This is commonly caused by incorrect toe-in settings related to the vehicle's alignment. Having your vehicle's suspension and alignment checked will prevent this.
One-sided wear - This condition is caused when part of the tire (typically the outside) wears faster than the other tread on the tire. This is commonly caused by incorrect wheel alignment.
Cupping - When 'cups' or scalloped dips begin to appear around the edge of the tread on side of the tire, this is referred to as cupping. This condition is usually caused by worn suspension components or sometimes by incorrect wheel alignment.
When to have this done
If you begin to have traction and/or fuel economy issues.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of vibration or wobbling.
Did you know?
In addition to improving ride control at highway speeds, wheel balancing can also maximize tire life.
Tire Rotation
Why this is important
Having your tires rotated will help ensure driving comfort and maintain the life of your tires.
What's included
Rotating the tires as per manufacturer's recommendations.
Inspecting the tires for minimum tread depth, abnormal tire wear patterns, foreign objects embedded in the tread and other tire damage.
Adjusting tire pressure to manufacturer's specifications.
Correcting torque of the wheel lug nuts to the manufacturer's specifications.
Additional charge may apply if vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System
When to have this done
Tire rotation is recommended every 10,000 km*.
Tire rotation every 10,000 km is FREE with tire purchase.
*This recommended service interval is based on industry average. Please refer to your owner's manual.
Did you know?
Generally, front tires wear at a different rate than rear tires. Rotating the tires front to back or as indicated by manufacturer ensures that all four tires wear evenly, extending their life.
Wheel balancing
Why this is important
A slight imbalance in your tire and wheel assembly is normal. However, if left uncorrected, your wheel will 'wobble' at highway speeds causing your steering wheel to shake, and adding stress to the entire steering and suspension system. A wheel balance also prolongs tire life.
What's included
Installing balancing weights on all four wheels.
Computerized verification to ensure precise placement of weights.
Visual inspection of tire tread to detect problems with the vehicle's wheel alignment.
Additional charge may apply if vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System.
When to have this done
When you experience any symptoms of vibration or wobbling.
When you have new tires installed or tires rotated.
Did you know?
In addition to improving ride control at highway speeds, wheel balancing can also maximize tire life.