How Often Do You Really Need An Wheel Alignment

May 18, 2022 by Hardik K

Being a car owner involves a lot of responsibilities towards your car. You need to take proper care of your car to ensure that it is running smoothly. Tire alignment is a key aspect of maintaining your car and keeping it in good shape. However, wheel alignment is the most ignored aspect of car maintenance by many car owners in Canada. As a responsible vehicle owner and even for safe driving, you need to know when to go for wheel alignment in Regina. And align wheels at the right time.

What is Wheel Alignment?

Wheel alignment, also known as tire alignment, is the process of checking and adjusting the angles of each wheel of the car with respect to each other and the car.
Improper tire alignment can result in a decrease in the longevity of the tires.
Misalignment of wheels also results in excessive fuel consumption, thus leading to reduced fuel mileage.
Wheel alignment ensures that all tires are working seamlessly when your car is running on the road and it gives you a safe and efficient driving experience.

Benefits of Tire Alignment

There are various benefits of getting your car’s wheels (tires) aligned. Here are some of the major advantages of regular wheel alignment.

Steering drift limitation ensures a smoother ride every time you hit the road.
Tire alignment helps to improve the safety of the car and minimizes any possible risk to you and your family.
Increase the lifespan of tires.
Reduce the frequency of tire replacement.
Improve gas mileage due to less pressure on the engine.
Reduce the wear and tear of tires.
Improve steering control.
Better stability and safety at higher speed.
Superior performance of tires.
Maximize the fuel efficiency of the car.

Common Causes of Misalignment of Wheels

Frequently driving over potholes
Minor collision with another vehicle
Involvement in an accident
Hitting the road debris
Bad shocks
Driving off-the-road frequently

Common Warning Signs of Wheel Misalignment

A wheel alignment service becomes crucial when:

You get a new set of tires.
Your vehicle is lifted or lowered.
It has been more than one year since the tire alignment was done.
Vibration of the car at higher speeds.
Car pulling to one side, either left or right, when driving on the highway.
Uneven wear and tear on tires.
Off-centre steering wheel.
Issues with the car steering system.
Unusual noise coming from the car.

For safe car handling, proper balanced tire alignment is crucial. In order to travel straight and prevent premature wearing of the tires, your car’s wheels need to be properly aligned. Driving your vehicle with bad wheel alignment will result in uneven wear and tear of the tires. This will result in difficulty in controlling the vehicle on the road and increased steering trouble as well.

Wheel alignment helps to keep your tires in great condition and well-maintained as well. Keep these facts in mind to book your next wheel alignment in Regina appointment.

Difference Between Summer Tires and All Season Tires

May 16, 2022 by Hardik K

One of the biggest dilemmas for vehicle owners in Canada is whether to go for an all season tire or summer tire. As the name indicates, all season tires perform well in all seasons and driving conditions. As the temperature increases during summer, it is advisable to go for a summer tire change.

Most Canadians prefer to use all season tires during summer, spring, and fall because it is less hassle-free than going for a tire change and replacement Regina again and again as the seasons change. However, each type of tire has its own pros and cons based on different circumstances. It is necessary to understand the clear difference between summer and all season tires to choose the right one for your vehicle.

What are Summer Tires?

Summer tires are specifically designed and manufactured for the summer months in Canada.
As the temperature in summer increases, heat can cause softening of the rubber compound present in tires.
Summer tires feature a specific rubber compound capable of withstanding the heat and high temperatures.
A summer tire provides better traction and control on the hot highways during the summer.
Summer tires deliver unparalleled performance in the warm seasons.
Summer tires are great for high performance vehicles like sports cars, luxury SUVs and even everyday cars.
When the average daily temperature rises above 44^oF, summer tire replacement is recommended.
Summer tires offer better fuel economy in the hot summer. This is mainly due to stiff construction of summer tires.
The tread depths in summer tires are shallower and have fewer grooves, which results in more contact of tire rubber with the road. This ultimately means superior grip and stability when driving on the road.

What are All Season Tires?

All season tires are designed and built for solid traction on the road in a wide range of conditions. They are not meant for performance handling, which makes all season tire change in high demand by Canadians.
They offer balanced capabilities and performance both in dry and wet conditions.
Unlike summer tires, which have shallow tread depths, all season tires have moderate tread depths.
They are made of rubber compounds, which provide more tread life compared to summer tires.
All season tires have the capability to provide some traction in winter. However, they are not suited for driving in extreme winter conditions.
Since all season tires offer a perfect combination of both summer and winter performance, they are an ideal option for drivers in moderate driving conditions.
All season tire is perfect for SUVs, passenger vehicles, and light trucks.

If you are planning for a tire change and replacement Regina, the choice between an all season tire and summer tire depends on your vehicle, driving conditions, performance requirements, and of course personal preference as well. Make the right choice for a flawless driving experience.

When Should You Take Your Winter Tires Off?

April 26, 2022 by Hardik K

Spring is coming soon in Canada. In order to properly prepare for the change of season as a vehicle owner, you need to know when to opt out for a winter tire change.

As the snow starts to disappear and temperatures begin to rise gradually, the question ‘When to go for a winter tire change and replacement in Regina?’ comes into the minds of most vehicle owners in Canada. However, this question is a tricky one because winter-like temperatures and weather can continue till early April. Hence, it is best to remove the winter tires and go for a summer tire change and replacement during early April.

Here are some signs that you can keep in mind while wondering whether to go for a all season tire in Regina or not.

Keep An Eye On The Temperature

Winter tires are made up of a softer rubber that does not perform well when the temperature rises and the pavements become hot.
The chances of wear and tear of winter tires increase during high temperatures and hot days.
When the temperatures are high, winter tires increase the road resistance and friction with the roads.
High friction means more power is needed for vehicles to run on the road, thus, reducing the mileage, and causing increased fuel consumption.
Winter tires help improve the grip on the road when temperatures are below 7^o
When temperatures go to 7^oC (44^oF) or higher and remain there consistently for some days, it is best to go for a tire change and take off the winter tires.

Mistiming Winter Tire Change Can Be Risky

In March and April, the temperatures in Canada are fluctuating.
The worst thing for a vehicle-owner like you can be to have the winter tires on for too long.
You also need to remember that going for a winter tire change too early, when there is still snow on the ground and the temperatures decrease again after you switched from winter tires, can be quite risky.
You need to keep the winter tires on as long as the temperature is close to 7^o
There are chances that temperatures may be high in the afternoon, while they reduce significantly in the morning and evening.
If most of your driving happens early in the morning or late evening when temperatures are lower, it makes sense to still keep the winter tires on.

Why Do You Require Summer Tires?

When temperatures rise above 7^oC, summer tires deliver optimal performance and mileage on dry and wet roads.
The tread patterns and rubber compound in summer tires offer improved safety, grip, and high stability in turns and curves when temperatures are high.

When you go for a tire change and replacement Regina to take the winter tires off, you can check the treads on the winter tires. If the depth is >4/32 inches, you can keep the winter tires safe and use them for the next winter season.

7 Things You Need in Your Car Emergency Kit

January 26, 2022 by Hardik K

Any unforeseen situation can lead you and your vehicle stranded on the road. For this reason, emergency attentiveness is important, especially, for the harsh and extreme climatic conditions in Canada. You must keep an emergency kit to handle unanticipated car breakdowns.

Here is where your car emergency kit would come in handy.

Here are the 7 things that must be a part of your car emergency kit.

1. Emergency Battery Booster

A dead battery is a common problem encountered by most vehicle owners in Canada.
To solve the problem of a dead battery in Canada, having a powerful emergency battery booster is crucial.
It can charge your car’s battery if the battery is completely dead and your vehicle fails to start.
An emergency battery booster must be fully charged before you put it in the vehicle.

2. LED Flashlight with Extra Batteries

Whether you need tire change and replacement due to a flat tire or if you want to inspect a problem under the hood in the dark, an LED flashlight will really come in handy.
Old batteries in the flashlight may fail to work during the cold. Hence, it is best to put some spare batteries in your car emergency kit.

3. Smartphone Car Charger

If something goes wrong on the road, a fully charged mobile phone will be a blessing to call some emergency numbers for help. For example, you may call a service center for an emergency battery booster.
For keeping your smartphone charged up in case of emergencies, having a USB car charger with the right cord is a big lifeline.

4. First Aid Kit

Many unexpected situations may need more than just a painkiller medicine or bandage.
You must have a first aid kit in your vehicle containing antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, band-aids, crepe bandages, triangular bandages, hand-gloves, scissors, gauze pads/rolls, etc.

5. Tire Change and Replacement Equipment

During your travel, you need to be prepared for an emergency tire replacement.
Be it any season, you need to have all the tools and equipment for a smooth tire change and replacement.
Your tire change and replacement tools should include jack, wheel wrench, extension bar, lug wrench, wheel nut adapter.
Of course, you need to also ensure that the spare tire is present in your vehicle.

6. Roadside Assistance Documents

If you require any roadside assistance like towing the car, tire change and replacement, emergency battery booster, Urban Lube provides emergency roadside assistance services round-the-clock to ensure an uninterrupted journey.
All you need to do is register for the roadside assistance program from Urban Lube and keep the documents handy with you.
You may also call them to give you emergency services. Keep all vehicle documents and the number of Urban Lube stored in your phone, which is 306 993 0991.

Studded Tires vs Regular Winter Tires: Which One Should You Choose?

November 25, 2021 by Hardik K

Driving in the Canadian winter conditions of having heavy snow, ice, and slush on the roads can be really challenging and scary for car owners. Roads in Canada during winters are highly unpredictable. The most effective way of getting your vehicle prepared for winter roads is going for a winter tire change.

If you are in the market for a tire change Regina, you will have a lot of different options for winter tire change to choose from.
The two main types of winter tires that you will find are studded tires and regular winter tires (non-studded tires).
To help you choose the right tires for an effective winter tire change, we have compiled all details about these tires for you.

Studded Tires

As the name suggests, studded tires have small metal studs implanted in the tire treads.
These tiny but strong metal studs protrude out of the tire surface.
They are specifically designed to provide better traction by digging into the ice and heavy snow cover on the roads in winter.
The superior grip on roads that are covered with a thick layer of ice and snow is the main reason why drivers choose studded tires for a winter tire change.

Cons of Studded Tires

Studded tires often give a noisy ride due to the metal studs embedded in them.
They increase the stopping distance significantly on roads that are dry and not covered by any kind of snow or ice.
Studded tires can severely damage the roads when it is not covered by any ice or hard packed snow.

Restricted Use of Studded Tires

Studded tires are permitted for use on the roads in Canada. But there are certain restrictions. Many states in Canada only allow their use during the winter months.

Quebec: Allowed for use between 15^th December to 15^th March
Manitoba: Allowed between 1^st October to 30^th April
Northern Ontario: Allowed between 1^st September to 31^st May

Regular Winter Tires (non-studded)

Improvements in rubber compounds have made regular winter tires without studs more suitable and a preferred choice for many drivers in Canada.
Regular winter tires are able to maintain traction and flexibility on the roads that are wet, icy, snowy, and even dry. It makes them a preferred choice for winter tire change for many vehicle owners.
Even at freezing and sub-freezing temperatures, they are able to provide a smooth and comfortable ride to the drivers.
The advanced rubber compounding technology, improved tread designs, deeper tread depths, and softer and flexible rubber are the reasons why they are capable of outperforming studded tires.

The impressive performance of regular winter tires over studded tires is a big reason why drivers choose them for a winter tire change Regina.

How to Choose the Right Canadian Winter Tire in 2021?

November 16, 2021 by Hardik K

During winter, it gets really cold in Canada with the temperatures dropping sub-zero. Snow and ice get accumulated on the roads. During such harsh conditions, how to drive safely becomes an important question?

This is where winter tire change comes into the picture.

What are Winter Tires?

Many believe that winter tires are only essential when there is too much snow or ice accumulated on the road. However, this is not true.
Winter tires are specifically designed and engineered to perform as soon as the temperature starts falling below 7^o
The compounds used to manufacture winter tires help them maintain elasticity even in the freezing temperatures in Canada.
A winter tire change means superior grip and traction while driving in the extremely cold climate conditions in winter.
The treads of winter tires have a specific pattern that is designed to not only provide improved grip and traction when there is snow accumulated on the road, but also to overcome still water on the road.

Benefits Offered by Winter Tire Change and Replacement

If you are staying in and around Regina in Canada, it makes sense for you to go for winter tire change just before the winter arrives.

Here are the major benefits that winter tire change and replacement Regina will offer.

Extend Braking Distances

During winter conditions in Canada, the accumulation of ice, snow, and water on the roads occurs. This increases the braking distance.
Winter tire change will help reduce the braking distance on the road by some meters compared to summer tires.
The reduced braking distance helps maintain more control of the vehicle and prevents accidents from happening.

Improved Grip and Performance

The winter tires installed are made from a flexible and elastic rubber compound.
Winter tire provides better grip, improved traction, and handling when driving in the cold weather and wet roads in Canada.

Minimizing the Aquaplaning

Winter tires have unique tread patterns, which help to disperse more water from beneath the tires.
This lowers the chances of aquaplaning on roads that have dangerous stagnant water.

Safe Driving Experience

Winter tire change assures you get complete peace of mind when driving on the Canadian roads during winter.
Better control and traction along with improved braking and handling offer a safe driving experience.

Tips for Buying Quality Winter Tires

When going for a winter tire change and replacement Regina, here are some things to keep in mind to buy the best ones for your vehicle.

Make sure that you go for a winter tire change of all four tires.
All four winter tires must be of the same brand and model.
Hire a professional and expert for a winter tire change.
Check the tire size of all four tires.
Look for the snowflake in the mountain mark on the tires.

Urban Lube provides the Tire Change service at your doorstep. Contact us now!