All posts by Active Green + Ross

Vehicle & Tire Tips

The risk of driving on your Winter tires in Summer

Risk of Driving 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:

CostLongevitySafety

Tire WearTire Wear Information

Tire Wear Information

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!

Vehicle & Tire Tips

Demand Access to, and Control of, Your Car’s Data!

As of March 25th, 2021, Canada’s outdated data and privacy regulations restrict ability to do this, impeding ability to choose where to shop and hurting smaller auto businesses in the process. In this, the AIA (Automotive Industry Association of Canada) is asking the Honorable Francoise Philippe Champagne to review the current guidelines around access to vehicle data, and ensure the principles of data access, and control and a level playing field as outlined in our government’s Digital Charter Implementation Act.

In support of this, we are asking all Active Green & Ross consumers and affiliates to sign a petition to further aid in this movement.

Please follow the link to SIGN – https://f.ls/7trd1

To find out more, 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!

Vehicle & Tire Tips

Vehicle Repair Still Deemed Essential for the Government of Ontario Lockdown in Toronto and Peel Region

On Friday, November 20th, the Government of Ontario announced that Toronto and Peel regions will be moving into a lockdown on Monday November 23, 2020. These measures will be in place until December 21, 2020.

The rules are quite similar to what was put into place early on in the COVID-19 pandemic in March and April. The government has established an essential and non-essential services list and any business deemed non-essential are only able to operate online and offer curbside service or deliveries. Retail stores deemed essential are permitted to open for in-person shopping, but will have 50% capacity limits.

These measures will be in place until at least December 21, 2020.

How does this apply to the automotive service centres?

The Ontario government has deemed vehicle repair and manufacturing as essential services in these regions. These members will be allowed to open, but will still need to abide by public health guidelines.

To learn more about how the new lockdown applies to you, please see the document COVID-19 Response Framework: Keeping Ontario Safe and Open —Lockdown Measures.

Car Maintenance

Seasonal Car Maintenance Schedule to Prevent Spring & Summer Breakdowns

At Active Green + Ross, your regular scheduled maintenance should include will include complete multipoint 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 →

Tire Safety

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

Continue reading Mounting & Balancing →

Vehicle & Tire Tips

Shocks and Struts help keep your vehicle’s tires in contact with the road

Are you possibly driving on worn shocks and struts?

Like most safety-critical chassis components, shocks and struts do wear out over the course of normal operation.

Both shock absorbers and struts keep your vehicle from bouncing around. Though the two terms are often used interchangeably — and they basically do the same thing — shocks and struts are different parts. A vehicle either has a shock or strut at each wheel — not both — and a shock cannot replace a strut, nor a strut replace a shock. Some vehicles have struts on the front axle and shocks in the back.

Continue reading Shocks and Struts help keep your vehicle’s tires in contact with the road →

Vehicle & Tire Tips

Wheel Alignment – A Small Price for a Long Term Investment!

Although there are many other factors that can cause tire wear, such as climate, road surface quality, and your driving style, improper tire alignment is the main cause to irregular treadwear and can cause your tires to 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 or correction should be performed. Even without experiencing any indicators of an Alignment related issue, most vehicle manufacturers recommend checking your alignment at least annually or at every seasonal tire changeover and corrected with the purchase of new tires.

Continue reading Wheel Alignment – A Small Price for a Long Term Investment! →

Vehicle & Tire Tips

Four Safety Tips for Seasonal Transitions

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 if you live in a colder winter climate. Let’s take a look at a few things to make this seasonal transition easier. Continue reading Four Safety Tips for Seasonal Transitions →

Auto Repair, Car Batteries, Cold Weather

How to Avoid a Dead Car Battery This Winter

Cold winter weather can drain a car’s battery quickly, increasing the danger for a breakdown on a chilly day. However, some simple preventative steps can help preserve a vehicle’s battery from auto repair.

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.