Appointments ‘crazy and hectic’ for drivers who’ve waited to install winter tires

With the holiday season right around the corner, mechanic shops across Waterloo Region are starting to get busy with winter tire changes.

“Usually, our Novembers are crazy and hectic. Octobers lead up to it, but usually, it’s our November. Then we’re still busy in December as well,” said Owner of Fowler Tire, Chris Tsegas.

One element that has had a larger impact leading up to the winter tire season is the warmer temperatures seen throughout the region throughout autumn. With temperatures in the lower twenties and upper tens, it’s meant that the fall season has felt a bit extended from what is usually seen.

Chris said it’s meant more people than usual have held off on changing their tires, but he adds that procrastinators are inevitable every year.

“A lot of people do hold off longer, but then the problem comes down; they hold off and then they can’t get appointments, then everybody’s trying to get in and they can’t.”

Even though it may mean a tougher time trying to book that appointment, with the delayed season set to cause more people to attempt to book at the same time, it’s still important to get it done.

“It’s never too late, you want to get them on,” said Owner of Automotive Edge, Matt Elacott. “What always scares me is that dipping below the freezing point. We could have black ice, especially when the salt hasn’t been on the road yet. You want to be prepared for that, so you definitely want to have them on as soon as possible.”

Elacott said the time is now to get the tires changed over, being the ideal weather conditions in the region to warrant putting those winter tires on.

“The science is basically that seven degrees Celsius. That’s when the temperature is consistently below that. That’s when your all-season tires stop working and the winter tire compounds will softer take over. We’re definitely consistently seeing that, so they should be on by now.”

I suggest that if you’re going to do them yourself, just make sure you take the time and do them properly.

Many people are able to change their own tires and rims though, and Tsegas said it could be a more popular approach due to the increased bookings leading into December. He added, though, that it’s important to know how to change them properly, as he said you need to make sure not to cut any corners.

“I suggest that if you’re going to do them yourself, just make sure you take the time and do them properly. We see a lot of people buying tires off Marketplace and whatnot. Just because the bolt pattern fits, sometimes the hubs don’t fit and then they’ll come in here with the wheels falling off.”

Both owners said it’s an important chore to get done ahead of the first snowfall, echoing the same message of keeping yourself, your family, and the community safe over the winter.