FREQUENTLY ASKED TIRE QUESTIONS

Select the question of your choice:

1. What should I look for in a tire?
2. There are so many brands and models to choose from. How do I know which one is best for me?
3. Aren't all tires the same?
4. I've heard tires have speed ratings. Is this important for me to know?
5. How can I tell when it is time to replace my old tires?
6. The wear on my tires look strange. What causes this?
7. How much should I pay for tires?
8. My brother-in-law says he can mount my tire for me so why should I go to a tire store?
9. What's this I hear about rotation? Do I really need it?
10. Does it make any difference where I buy my tires?
11. Why are there no tire prices on this web site?
12. Can you suggest a specific tire for my vehicle?
13. At times tires are advertised at a warehouse club, department store, etc. Why should I buy from a Kal Tire dealer?
14. Purchasing snow tires for my front wheel drive vehicle, the tire technician suggested that I install them on the back if I only BUY TWO. Why?
15. May I install a less expensive passenger tire on my pickup or utility vehicle?

What should I look for in a tire?

You should look for a tire which best suits your driving requirements. Tires are manufactured for almost every requirement; wet or dry traction, high mileage, high speed control, steering response, ride comfort, etc. A tire professional will be able to advise you of product features.

There are so many brands and models to choose from. How do I know which one is best for me?

Discussing your needs with a tire professional will help establish a tire product that best suits your requirements and your budget. A professional tire person will ask questions regarding you expectations of the product, the type of driving you do, how long you expect to keep your vehicle, etc. A salesperson who just asks you what size you want is not ensuring you receive the most suitable tire value.

Aren't all tires the same?

This is a common misconception. Like many other products in the marketplace, science and technology play a large part in the design and manufacture of tires. Tires may feature, in differing configurations, various materials such as polyester, rayon, nylon and steel. Manufacturers use these materials along with others in varying combinations. In addition, different rubber compounds are used in the sidewall, bead and tread areas of a tire.

I've heard tires have speed ratings. Is this important for me to know?

Yes, tires do have speed ratings and it is recommended that all tires on your vehicle be of the same speed rating. Speed ratings were developed to standardise the safe performance of tires at sustained or continuous speeds.

How can I tell when it is time to replace my old tires?

Most automobile tires have a built-in tread wear indicator in the tread area of the tire. This wear indicator will show how much remaining tread is on the tire. Depending on your driving habits or road conditions, you should replace the tire no later than when the wear indicator is visible. Consult a tire professional when tires show signs of wear.

The wear on my tires look strange. What causes this?

Wear problems could have a variety of causes. The problem could be caused by over-or-under inflation of the tire, mechanical problems, or the need for an alignment (caster, camber or toe).

How much should I pay for tires?

Costs for a tire will vary depending on many factors. Most professional tire stores will offer tire products in economy, midrange and premium categories. In some cases, consumers may find very low priced tires, however, these tires may have been built using 10 years old technology or not carry warranties the same as other available products. It is always recommended you seek the advice of a tire professional. This individual makes a career in the tire industry and has not been recently transferred from the sporting goods or hardware department.

My brother-in-law says he can mount my tire for me so why should I go to a tire store?

Unless your brother-in-law is a trained installer with access to the proper equipment, it is not advisable to have him mount your tires. Improperly mounted tires can cause wear problems and shorten the life of your tires. More importantly, a tire and wheel assembly not properly mounted could come apart with explosive force, causing injury.

What's this I hear about rotation? Do I really need it?

Having your tires rotated at regular intervals will help to ensure you receive the maximum mileage from your tires. Most tire manufacturers recommend you have your tires rotated at least every 10,000 km.

Does it make any difference where I buy my tires?

There are many qualified professional tire retailers to choose from. You should select a supplier in whom you have confidence, who will be there for you in case of any problems that might arise. Get to know the retailer and let them get to know you and your car. A retailer who can offer nation-wide warranties and who specialises in tire sales is obviously your best choice.

Why are there no tire prices on this web site?

We cannot list prices for the products we carry, mainly due to a few complex reasons. They are as follows:

• Each location is individually owned and operated.
• The number and variety of products we carry is very large.
• Pricing has certain variables across the country such as cost of shipping to each store, cost of doing business in the area (i.e. wages, rent, utilities, business taxes, etc.).
• Special pricing, on occasion, is passed on from the manufacturers. Although price is a major consideration, we feel we would be doing our customer a disservice by providing pricing, without discussing personally, their tire requirements for their particular needs. By doing this we can better ensure they receive good value for their money.

Can you suggest a specific tire for my vehicle?

The answer to this is "Yes, we can!", however, the most accurate way of determining your tire needs is by a local Kal Tire retailer. A number of factors need to be determined prior to a tire suggestion. Some significant questions asked are: - How long are you expecting to keep this vehicle?

• How many kilometres did the last tires last?
• Are there plans to move or travel to a different area? What is the climate there?
• Are you satisfied with your present tires' performance in braking, wet or dry traction, on or off the the road performance?
• Are you an aggressive driver requiring a better handling tire, or are you looking for a smooth, comfortable ride? When your local tire location determines the answers to these questions, as well as others, they are better informed on which tires would best suit your needs. For example, if you are looking to keep the vehicle for a long time you may wish to upgrade to a tire with a longer expected life. The added cost may save you money in the long run as the greater durability extends the life of the tire.

At times tires are advertised at a warehouse club, department store, etc. Why should I buy from a Kal Tire dealer?

Kal Tire offer tires for all budgets for all vehicle applications. At times it appears that you are getting a good deal from a warehouse club or department store, however, when shopping these locations you should consider a few very important facts: - Who will service your tire should a warranty situation occur? Locations using their corporate logos or a custom name brand which are available only at their stores are usually only warranted if you go back to the location where you purchased it.

• Read the warranty carefully. Is it a rating or an actual warranty? Does it cost you anything extra?
• Where can you go for service?
• Are there other services offered such as free rotations, free installation, free roadside assistance, free national coverage?
• Did you get any assistance at all? If you did receive information regarding the product you were thinking of purchasing, were you then confident that you made the right decision? Kal Tire offers competitive pricing with a variety of service extras, along with expert advice. Guaranteed after-sales service means peace of mind regardless of where you are travelling in Canada.

Purchasing snow tires for my front wheel drive vehicle, the tire technician suggested that I install them on the back if I only BUY TWO. Why?

As a matter of fact, this is very good advice. If you install a high traction tire on the front drive axle, you are leaving the lighter end of the vehicle (the rear) with no traction improvement. Most tire manufacturers recommend that front wheel drive vehicles have all four tires of equal traction. There have been situations where vehicles have spun out of control because, either the driver became overconfident with the traction of the front tires or the rear tires were worn. This surprise spinout effect has caused accidents in the past. Having all four tires of equal traction helps ensure that this situation does not happen. Ask your tire technician for details.

May I install a less expensive passenger tire on my pickup or utility vehicle?

The answer to this is most likely NO! Unless the vehicle originally came with a passenger tire size, it is not recommended to switch from a light track tire size to a passenger tire. The reason is mainly load ratings. If the tires you install do not have the same or a greater load rating, they will not only affect the handling capabilities of the vehicle but also have rapid or uneven wear. This, in turn, could cause a dangerous ride condition. Your local tire specialist is qualified to tell you which tires are best suited for your style of driving.