Spring Tire Change

Spring tire change is just around the corner. It’s time to switch from winter tires to summer tires. In many cases, you might already have your own summer tires already mounted on their wheels. If they are stored, the technician who will be installing them on your vehicle will be able to evaluate their condition. If he finds they are too worn to be safe, he’ll let you know. If he sees that some of them show irregular wear, he’ll probably tell you where to do to correct the situation.

But if you have your summer tires at home or stored somewhere else, you will have to show them before proceeding to a mounting. What if the technician tells you they are worn out? You will surely have to buy new summer tires. Obviously, your budget will indicate you how much you can spend on tires. No matter how much money you intend to spend, you have to remember safety comes first!

Spring Tire Change

While you might still be thinking of all the money you will have to spend on tires, keep in mind one important thing : your life and that of your passengers depend on four small patches of contact with the road. As a matter of fact, to illustrate it even better, your life and theirs rely on four contact points that each amount to the size of the palm of your hand at its best.

And the efficiency of those contact points will vary according to road conditions. If the pavement is wet, the tires must be able to disperse the water in order to get the most rubber possible in contact with the road. If your tires are worn out, just imagine that the contact point is almost impossible as the patch will be floating on water!

When choosing a new summer tire, listen carefully to what the dealer has to suggest. In our part of the country, most summer tires are knwon as « all season» tires. If you own a performance vehicle, it might require a «performance» tire that is not necessarily «all season» unless indicated (most of the time identified by the AS letters on the sidewall).

Also, many vehicles are now delivered with Z-rated tires (an indication that they have high-speed capabilities). You might be tempted to replace them by less expensive lower rated tires. It is not recommended to go for such lesser performance tires since the vehicle has been designed to perform with appropriate performance tires and that includes braking and turning!

Finally, it is always better to choose a high quality tire that might cost you more but that will insure much more safety and better roadhandling. Remember, you always get what you paid for. And once again, keep in mind that your life and that of your passengers ride on four small patches the size of your palm. Better choose what’s best for you safety!

If you have any questions about the upcoming Spring Tire Change or if you need to talk to a tire professional about purchasing a new set of tires this spring, we invite you to contact our Montreal’s tire shop today. It will be our pleasure to answer your questions and help you choose the best tire for your car and your budget.