Like spring wardrobe rotation, as summer heats up and we stash back into distant drawers the heavy garb of winter, the tires on your car are also begging for a fresh, new look. Yes, a good pair of all seasons might get you through the next few years, but having a separate set of winter and summer tires could actually save you money in the long run, give you better handling and save on gas.
Jimmy "the wheel" Wright is not a mechanic by trade, but as a SEMA certified custom wheel and tire specialist with a B.Comm and MBA, he knows his way around a tire shop. The Wheel Pro’s, located in a little Italian barrio off Edmonton Trail, is surprisingly organized, clean and busy for a wheel shop.
"The all season is a misnomer, unless it’s M and S (mud and snow) rated," Wright says. "To tell you the truth, when you’re sliding sideways it doesn’t matter if you’re in an SUV or compact car."
The end result will be the same. Hit a slab of concrete when it’s minus 20-something with rubber and material that wasn’t meant to handle such cold temperatures, you will have pricey damage.
Wright says snow tires, over their lifespan, pay for themselves. Especially if you have them already mounted on a sturdy, durable steel or aluminum rim and can install them yourself. Not only will you save roughly $100 every spring and fall to have them switched out, a good steel rim should last you the life of your car. You will also be able to beat the seasonal rush to the mechanic shop.
Best of all, you get to have fun with your summer set.
"Summer is the interesting part," Wright says. "Do you want to go bigger? Do you want colour?"
The options are staggering – really any hue under the rainbow and then some, and with just as varying a spectrum of price tags. The Wheel Pros sell new and used wheels, basically anything in great condition, or items that have been refurbished and tested to be true. Their installation equipment is current, utilizing modern simulation techniques to ensure the right wheel and tire combo is selected for the make, model and weight of your vehicle, and making certain no surfaces are scratched in the process.
Vintage hubcaps, fluorescent detailing, or classic factory wheels brandished with make logos – anything goes.
"[Summer tires] are more of an expression of who you are," Wright says,
The current trend is to go bigger and lower. This means less rolling resistance and more traction. Your car is closer to the ground, but with more surface area making contact with the road.
Anodised rims and parts (lug nuts, bolts etc.) are also in. Anodising is a process that converts a metal surface into a thicker, more durable, colourful, corrosion-resistant finish. Think metallic purple, apple martini green, Oscar gold, or electric Popsicle blue.
Not sure which summer parts should pimp your ride? Here are a few favourites of the crew at Wheel Pros.
Summer Tires
For the city to city highway slicker who might veer off to a KOA for a weekend
Recommend: the Cooper All Terrain 3.
The aggressive tread design enhances wet traction and reduces rolling resistance. They are dependable on road and off but won’t sacrifice highway performance.
For the weekend off roader
Recommend: Pro Comp
Pro Comp tires offer several varieties of aggressive grip that handle well on a variety of rugged terrain, but still purr on the street. The Xtreme All Terrain Radial is recommended for serious off-roaders.
For the Super Adventurer who Carves his Own Path
Recommend: Mickey Thompson or Cooper STT Maxx
They won’t last as long as other treads and tend to be pretty noisy, but they will cut through mud and just about anything else in one’s way.
Accessorizing
Cargo Carriers
Recommend: Yakima Skybox Series
"We like the Yakimas; good price on these," Wright says. The hard-shelled, roof-mountable storage cases come in different volumes and lengths and are easy to put on and take off. Store your boards, camp gear, or racy wardrobe.
Floor Liners
Recommend: Weather Techs
Go beyond floor mats – these liners are custom fit to the floor of your car, meaning no spill over on wet, slushy days, and no dust, sand or rocks getting through on hot ones. Protects from rusting, spills and stains.
Polish
Clean and protect your rims with a spritz of Flitz Stainless Steel Polish. The little bottles retail for only $2.99. "We use it in the back, so that’s why we sell it out front," Wright states.
He goes on to add that while buffing balls and shining pads are great cosmetic tools, keeping your tires out of the sun will help prevent the rubber from breaking down. Rubber should last seven years but UV rays, salt and other corrosive materials will shrink that duration.
Having a spare tire on hand is also a good idea. Though some newer makes have opted to nix the spare tire in favour of producing a lighter ride, there is some tire damage that won’t be remedied with an inflator. It doesn’t hurt to carry one of these with you in your trunk though (the Slime Inflator is equipped with LED light), but in the event of real tire damage a spare is optimal.
Lastly, if you thought hubcaps were a thing of the past, think again.
"Hub caps are still good if you want to go economical over the winter," Wright says. And when you’ve tired of them or they’ve bent out of shape, a retro Cadillac hubcap makes an intriguing chip and dip platter. At least that’s how they roll at Wheel Pro parties. A 1962 hubcap will only run you about $25 (think potluck conversation piece).
"It comes down to what’s best for the customer," Wright says. "It’s not just shades of grey."
Jim’s Top Ten Tire Tips
1. Check your tire pressure monthly. You’ll save on repairs and fuel.
2. All seasons are no season in winter. Keep safe and spring for a good set of winter tires.
3. Buy a good set of wheels for those winter tires, and save on having them switched out every season change.
4. Winter tires start working at 7°C. Beat the rush and have them installed before the first snowfall.
5. A good fit is essential. Be certain to have the right lug nuts and that they are properly torqued.
6. Know what your priorities are: tire types differ in performance, longevity, and noise level.
7. Quality counts. Spending more now on the right wheels will save you down the line.
8. Size matters too. Make sure the wheel size matches the car look and weight, and save your car’s suspension.
9. Does your car have a Tire Pressure Monitoring System? If you see an exclamation mark on the tire section of your instrument panel it does.
10. Wheels make the car. Find something that puts a smile on your face.