Take a deep breath. Can you smell it? Spring is almost here! You may remember that season: Plants are blooming, grass is growing, winter coats are being put away and the most important part; windows are down while we’re driving. I can almost feel it now! Making the transition from winter driving to spring driving can be tricky when you live in a colder winter climate like southern Ontario. Let’s take a look at a few things to make this seasonal transition in Canada easier this year. Continue reading Four Safety Tips for Seasonal Transitions
All posts by Active Green + Ross
Wheel Alignment – A Small Price for a Long Term Investment!
Although there are many other factors that can cause tire wear, such as Canada’s climate, road surface quality, and your driving style, improper tire alignment is the main cause to irregular treadwear. When out of alignment, your tires will wear unevenly and prematurely and can even cause driver assist systems to malfunction. Common irregular tire tread wear conditions from improper alignment include the following: Heel/Toe wear, Feathering, and Camber wear.
If you are experiencing irregular tire wear, handling issues, or an off centered steering wheel, an alignment inspection and correction should be performed. Even without experiencing any indicators of alignment related issues, most vehicle manufacturers recommend checking your alignment at least annually or at every seasonal tire changeover and to have it corrected with the purchase of new tires.
Continue reading Wheel Alignment – A Small Price for a Long Term Investment!
Helpful Winter Driving Safety Tips
Even though it happens every year, many people need reminders. It’s almost as if we try to block it out of our minds. What am I talking about? Winter driving of course.
Although it begins every year around this time when snow and sleet first appear and cover the roads in southern Ontario, we often see drivers making the same mistakes. So with that in mind, here are a few early reminders to help keep everyone safe on the roads this winter. Continue reading Helpful Winter Driving Safety Tips
Are Your Tires Ready For Winter Weather?
Despite the warm spells this fall, as temperatures cool across the nation heading into winter, we at Active Green + Ross Tire Centres want to remind drivers that it’s time to start thinking about winter driving conditions and how to protect themselves and their passengers on the road.
While it’s important to adjust driving habits to weather conditions, according to Marc Brazeau, President, Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada, the most imperative thing Canadians can do to protect themselves and their loved ones is transition to winter tires.
“The idea that all-season tires are as effective as winter tires is a dangerous misconception,” said Brazeau. “The design and durability of winter tires improves performance and enhances safety in a variety of road conditions. They’re the one and only choice for winter driving.” Continue reading Are Your Tires Ready For Winter Weather?
How to Avoid a Dead Car Battery This Winter
Cold winter weather can drain a car’s battery quickly, increasing the chance of a breakdown on a chilly day. However, some simple preventative steps can help preserve a vehicle’s battery from auto repair as we move from Fall into Winter.
Assess the Battery’s Condition
While batteries can last up to ten years, older ones may be ripe for replacement before winter rolls around if they are between three and five years old. Even if a battery is newer, it should be regularly inspected for signs of corrosion, such as acidic residue around the terminals.
Know the Signs of a Weak Battery
Drivers who notice a clicking noise, headlights that dim when slowing down, and cranking during start-up should replace their battery.
Take Preventive Maintenance Steps
These preparations can help prevent a dead battery during the coldest conditions.
Mounting & Balancing
At Active Green + Ross, we always ensure your vehicle is in top-notch condition, especially with your vehicles WHEELS and TIRES!
For the proper mounting of tires and wheels, be sure to observe some basic precautions:
- Mounting and balancing should be done by a professional at Active Green + Ross, using equipment designed for the job!
- Both tire beads are securely mounted
- The wheel is not bent or damaged
- There is no buildup of dirt between the hub and the wheel
- All of the lugs have been properly torqued
- The wheel is securely seated on the hub
Oil Change Top 5 Benefits
Regular maintenance is vital to protecting any vehicle, and oil changes are too often neglected. Here are the top reasons why oil changes should be a priority.
Seasonal Car Maintenance Schedule to Prevent Spring & Summer Breakdowns
At Active Green + Ross, your regular scheduled maintenance should include a complete multi-point inspection along with an oil, filter, and fluid, brake inspection, tire rotation or balance, alignment check and battery & brake inspection and other filter and fluid replacements.
Continue reading Seasonal Car Maintenance Schedule to Prevent Spring & Summer Breakdowns
Winter Driving
Canadian winters are notoriously harsh and throw all kinds of weather our way, sometimes making driving a harrowing adventure, so it’s important to be prepared.
Here are some tips to ensure that you and your car make it through the season unscathed.
- Switch to a winter weight oil. Viscosity varies with temperature, so your car may benefit from a different weight of engine oil in the winter. A lighter weight engine oil will improve engine start-up and provide better lubrication during the colder months.
- Check your tire pressure. Be sure to check the pressure of your tires (including your spare tire) at least once per month this winter – every 5°C change in temperature results in about a 7_kPa (1 psi) change in tire pressure. Properly inflated tires last longer, make your vehicle safer to drive and can improve your fuel efficiency by 3.3 per cent.
- Keep your gas tank at least half full. Maintaining at least a half tank of gas will limit condensation in your gas tank and prevent your gas line from freezing during the colder months. Adding a little gas-line anti-freeze every second fill-up can also help to prevent freezing.
- Check and/or replace your battery. Very cold temperatures will reduce your car’s battery power, so it’s important to keep the connections clean, tight and corrosion-free. If your battery is more than five years old, you should also consider replacing it with one that is rated as high as the one specified in your owner’s manual.
- Use the right coolant. As strange as it sounds, your cooling system is one of the most important things to watch during the winter. In most parts of Canada, a 50/50 mix of coolant and water keeps the coolant from freezing, lubricates the water pump and protects the cooling system from corrosion. In very cold areas you may need to change the concentration, but your coolant concentration should never exceed 70 per cent.
- Check your brakes. When you need to stop on slick and icy roads, every second counts. Check your brakes for wear and tear and buy yourself some time to stop by replacing worn brake pads.
- Test your exhaust system for leaks. Leaks can be especially dangerous during cold weather driving when windows are closed. Be sure to check your exhaust system at least once per year to stay safe.
- Check your lights. Over time, your lights may dim or burn out completely and the plastic in your light covers will degrade and cloud, leading to distorted and dimmed illumination. Be sure to replace both your bulbs and light covers to maintain high quality lighting. Waxing your headlight covers can also help prevent the build-up of ice and snow on your lights during the cold and dark winter months.
- Avoid using cruise control. You should never use your cruise control on wet, snowy or icy roads. If you hydroplane or skid, your tires will rapidly spin as your car accelerates to maintain its speed, and you are more likely to lose control.
- Pack an emergency kit. Never leave home without a safety kit in the winter. Make sure that you have a shovel, a snow/ice brush, jumper cables or a battery pack, extra windshield washer fluid, and warm clothes or a blanket in your trunk in case you get stranded.
Winter driving is no funny business, so be sure to slow down, be patient, and remember that there is no shame in being overly cautious. If you feel uncomfortable continuing to drive in poor weather conditions, pull over and wait it out or just stay home.
Visit your local Active Green + Ross or click here to schedule your appointment online today!
The risk of driving on your Winter tires in Summer
Did you know its unsafe to run winter tires during the summer?
According to the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada, as of 2019, 69% (excluding Quebec where its mandatory) of Canadian drivers own winter tires. With the onset of the pandemic and lockdowns, the average Canadian is driving far less which has led to more and more drivers choosing to leave their winter tires on during the Spring & Summer months.
In this, we want to educate our customers on the potential safety concerns and why you should be visiting Active Green + Ross for either NEW all-season/summer tires, or at the very least changing over to an existing set.
3 MAIN RISKS WHEN USING WINTER TIRES IN THE SUMMER:
To find out more, contact your local Active Green + Ross store location or visit our website at www.activegreenross.com TODAY!
With 67 locations Ontario wide, we are the Tire & Service Experts and WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD!
Thank you & Keep it Rolling!