Tires and Tire Service at Integra Tire in Parksville, BC

Tires are the foundation of your vehicle. At Integra Tire we want to ensure that your tires get you where you need to go. That means ensuring that you have the right tires for your driving needs and that you are using the correct tires during the correct season. We also want to ensure that your tires are properly maintained and will be efficient for their entire lifetime.

Tires are the part of your car that makes contact with the road. Tires are an important part of your car's suspension system because they transfer the forces of driving, steering, and stopping to the road. Tires are easy to take care of, but they are often forgotten. Tire performance, tread life, and ride comfort are all affected by how much air is in the tires and how they are made. Tire care is important if you want to get the most mileage and tread wear out of your tires. Our staff will help you understand the basics of tire care and maintenance, like when you should get your tires rotated, balanced, and aligned. Our staff will also help you figure out what the markings on the sidewalls of your tires mean, tell you when it's best to buy a new set, and show you how to choose the right set of tires for your car.

Tires wear out faster if they are not properly inflated and if they are not rotated. When tires are properly inflated, the sidewalls tend to be strong, but when tires are underinflated, the sidewalls are often soft and wear out faster. Overinflated tires are also not good because they will wear out faster in the middle. Some signs of bad tire wear, like too much lean, could be fixed by balancing the wheels. But alignment problems could also be caused by tires that are worn out wrong. During any tire repair service, our staff will be able to tell if balancing or rotating your tires will fix the problems you are having. Because tire pressure is so important, when we put on a new tire, our staff will make sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for pressure. Overall, having the right tire pressure can lead to less tread movement, better water drainage, less rolling resistance, good traction, and the ability to carry enough weight. The work we do on tires makes them last longer and use less gas.

There are many things that can go wrong with tires and make them less safe and less effective. A sharp stone, nail, or other pointy piece of trash can easily poke a hole in a tire. Flat tires are dangerous to drive on, so drivers should only do so in extreme situations, like when they need to get off a busy highway quickly. Also, a driver should know that the longer he or she drives with a flat tire, the less likely it is that a tire repair service can be done. This is because riding too long on a flat tire can cause damage that can't be fixed. As the tire loses air, the wheel will touch the ground more, which could damage the rim. It's important to know that tire repair needs to be done quickly. When a tire has light to moderate damage, it is more likely to be able to be fixed if you bring it in as soon as possible.

When looking for new tires, the most important thing to know is your tire size. You can find this by either looking at the sticker on the inside of your car door jamb, looking in your owner’s manual, or using our online tire finder tool. Once you know this, you need to consider what type of tire you want and what season you’ll be driving in. Tires are more than just rubber; they are specifically designed for individual driving needs.

Summer Tires/Performance Tires

Summer tires are also known as performance tires. They are designed for high-performance vehicles for optimized speed and agility. They have the best cornering and braking capabilities in dry conditions. Summer tires will often have a shallower tread depth than all-season tires.

All-Season Tires

All-season tires are designed for use in wet and dry conditions in temperatures above 45 degrees Fahrenheit. They have a moderate tread depth that will provide a comfortable ride for all vehicle types.

Winter Tires

Winter tires are designed with a special rubber compound that is designed to stay pliable in conditions below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, giving them better traction capabilities in the winter months compared to all-season tires. Winter tires will wear out quickly in warm temperatures and should only be used in the winter months.

All-Weather Tires

All-weather tires are designed to have aspects of an all-season tire and aspects of a winter tire. Their rubber is made to stay more pliable in cold temperatures compared to an all-season tire and will wear out less quickly in warm temperatures compared to winter tires. All-weather tires are designed for temperate climates.

Once you’ve purchased new tires, it’s time to take care of them!

First and foremost, it is a good idea to regularly check your tire pressure and ensure that your tires are properly inflated. You can find your vehicle’s PSI in your owner’s manual, on your door placard, or online. Having properly inflated tires will help your gas milage, help your vehicle have a smooth ride, and improve the lifespan of your tires.

You should also regularly inspect your tire tread with a tread depth gauge. When you get near 4/32″ to 3/32″ of tread left, you will need to consider getting new tires. Most tires will last between three and five years, depending on regular maintenance, your driving style, and driving conditions.

Sometimes you get unlucky and get a flat tire. Luckily here at Integra Tire we can inspect the tire to see if it can be patched and repaired, or we will advise you if you will need to get a replacement tire.

We are here for all your new tire needs and tire service requirements. Give us a call anytime with your tire and tire service questions.