The right tires,
fitted right, at a fair price.

Start by loosening the lug nuts slightly while the tire is still on the ground, then raise the vehicle with a jack until the flat is clear of the pavement. Remove the lug nuts and old tire, mount the spare, and hand-tighten the nuts in a star pattern before lowering the vehicle and fully torquing them down. Drive cautiously on a spare and get the flat inspected or replaced as soon as possible. For a full step-by-step walkthrough with tools and safety tips, see our complete flat tire changing guide.

Always go by the recommended PSI listed on the sticker inside your driver's door jamb or in your owner's manual, not the number printed on the tire's sidewall (that's the tire's maximum rated pressure, not the recommended one). Check pressure at least once a month and before long trips, ideally when tires are cold, and adjust seasonally since PSI drops as temperatures fall.

Use the quarter test: insert a quarter into a tread groove with the Queen's crown facing down. If you can see the top of the crown, your tread is at or below 4/32" and it's time to start shopping for new tires. Check multiple spots across each tire, since uneven wear can mean an alignment or rotation issue. See our tire tread and replacement guide for the full tread depth breakdown.

A sidewall code like P215/65R16 95H breaks down as: P (passenger vehicle tire), 215 (width in millimetres), 65 (aspect ratio, or sidewall height as a percentage of width), R (radial construction), 16 (wheel diameter in inches), 95 (load index), and H (speed rating). Matching these specs to your vehicle's manufacturer recommendation keeps handling, braking, and fuel economy where they should be.

Replace your tires once tread depth reaches 2/32", the legal minimum in Ontario, though most drivers benefit from replacing closer to 4/32" for better wet and winter traction. Tire age matters too — even tires with plenty of tread left should generally be replaced around the 6-year mark, since the rubber compound degrades over time. Full details are in our guide to knowing when you need new tires.

In some cases, yes — but replacing tires in pairs (or as a full set) is generally recommended to keep handling, traction, and braking balanced across the vehicle. A single new tire paired with worn ones can create uneven grip, which is especially noticeable on all-wheel-drive vehicles. Our tire replacement guide covers this in more detail, and our team can advise based on your tires' current wear.

Whether a flat can be repaired depends on where and how large the puncture is. Industry guidelines generally allow plug-and-patch repairs for small punctures located in the tread area, while damage to the sidewall or shoulder usually means the tire needs to be replaced rather than repaired. Bring your tire in and our technicians can inspect it and let you know whether a repair or replacement is the safer option.

Every tire has a DOT identification number stamped on its sidewall, and the last four digits tell you its age: the first two digits are the week of manufacture and the last two are the year. For example, "2419" means the 24th week of 2019. Since tires degrade with age regardless of tread depth, it's worth checking this even on tires that still look good.

Winter tires use a softer rubber compound that stays pliable in cold temperatures, along with deeper tread and more aggressive siping designed to bite into snow and ice. All-season tires use a firmer compound built for a broader temperature range and moderate wet and dry conditions, but they lose grip once temperatures drop toward freezing. If you regularly drive in snowy or icy conditions, dedicated winter tires offer meaningfully better traction and stopping distance.

Most vehicles should have their tires rotated every 8,000 to 10,000 kilometres, or roughly every second oil change. Regular rotation helps tires wear evenly, which extends their lifespan and helps maintain consistent handling. See our tire rotation guide for the full benefits and recommended pattern.