Tire Dealers in ON to Offer New Yokohama iG51v Winter Tire

Yokohama Tire Corporation has added a new fierce looking model to its winter lineup. Dubbed the Iceguard iG51v, this is a snow and ice tire that breaks some boundaries when it comes to tread block design. Yokohama says that they have incorporated a high density reinforced compound that keeps the tire tread stable under all winter weather conditions, thereby assuring maximum, consistent contact with the road. One glance at the tire reveals an unusual zig zag design which is part of a strategy to stabilize the tire in slush and snow by creating a dual-action shoulder groove.

Remember to buy this tire from Notre Dame Tire when it becomes available.

Looking to Buy the Latest Kumho Tires in Oshawa, ON?

Kumho Tire Co. Inc. has announced the launch of its brand new all season touring tire, named the Kumho Sense KR26, which is set to debut in the first quarter of 2013.

The KR26 is an H-rated tire and is designed for replacement use on smaller and lighter vehicles such as the Honda Civic and Mazda 3. Trying to capitalize on fuel savings through lighter weight, the Sense KR26 is a good fit for smaller sedans built to meet EPA regulations. Less weight means less mass to move around and typically this also means less rolling resistance, translating into better fuel mileage.

Looks like the KR26 may be a popular tire in our province of NL due to its energy efficiencies and due to the fact that we've got more than our share of smaller vehicles, particularly in the larger centres such as St. John's, Mount Pearl, Gander, Grand Falls and Corner Brook. Watch for the arrival of this tire in the spring. Stay tuned.

The tire will be manufactured in 28 different sizes from 13” diameter to 17” diameters with a UTQG rating of 520 AA and a 40,000-mile limited treadwear warranty will be offered..

Being an all season tire, the Sense KR26 takes on wet challenges by means of its circumferential grooves for lateral grip and water evacuation. In addition it has been designed with multiple lateral grooves for both wet and dry traction.  Improved traction in light snow is achieved through a full depth sipe system. The KR26 minimizes road noise by utilizing variable pitch tread blocks.

Where Can I Buy Tires in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax & Pickering?

Well, that should be obvious. The clear choice is Notre Dame Tire.

Now that we've got that out of the way, here’s another question: Do Canadian Drivers Underestimate the Value of Winter Tires?

To discover the answer, let’s refer to a recent study undertaken by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation in Canada which has found that Canadian drivers aren't yet clued into the benefits of winter tires.

The report is entitled “Winter Tires: A Review of Research on Effectiveness and Use” and examined efficiencies of winter tires and their potential effects. Included in the study was an examination of Canadians’ views and perceptions on the use of winter tires.

Surprisingly, a great many Canadian motorists who do not make the seasonal change over to winter tires admitted that the extra costs involved play a major role in their yearly decision to refrain from using winter tires. Other more scarier attitudes also surfaced in this study.

But the bottom line is that winter tires need to play a consistent role in the safe winter driving habits of all NL motorists.

Download a copy of the report, Winter Tires: A Review of Research on Effectiveness and Use via http://bit.ly/PX7nqs.

The CBC Talks Winter Tires

Recently, on CBC Radio on November 28, 2012, they covered the subject of winter tire use in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Apparently it's not all that simple to determine how many NL drivers actually change over from regular to winter tires when cold weather sets in.

Have a listen. Transcript of talk follows.

Background noise: Sound of tires spinning in the snow.

Anthony: OK there are two sounds that put fear in people’s minds and one is a dental drill; the other is the sound of tires spinning because you know that means you’ve got to get behind your vehicle and push. Well the snow that we woke up to yesterday morning had many of us talking about winter tires and just how many of us there are…it’s that typical scenario when people say: “oh, I meant to do this last week. Now Cec had some data in a press release from the Rubber Association of Canada and that release said 46% of drivers in this province use winter tires and not long after we started talking about it we received some information that the province had its own numbers that tell a somewhat different story and Cec joins me once again. Hi there…

Cec: Yeah it’s a completely different story from the provincial government as far as winter tire usage goes…ah…the province says it’s much greater than one-half. We received an email, Anthony, from Government Services that says in 2009 that Department got the province’s statistics agency to conduct a survey on winter tire usage. And this survey showed that about 85% of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are using winter tires on at least one of their vehicles. And that number is higher in the St. John’s area with over 92% of drivers installing winter tires on at least one of the vehicles in the household. And the survey also showed that where a person is over 65, winter tire usage was about 85%. Now the thing that I’d like to stress when I read these numbers is that they say that it’s on at least one of the vehicles that they own. Where you have more than one the numbers are a bit different.

Anthony: I guess though that still there’s a difference between the province’s numbers and this Rubber Association. What accounts for the difference?

Cec: Well we’re not sure yet and we’re trying to find out. The Rubber Association says nationally 52% of Canadians drive with winters on. In this province it’s about 46%. But that’s not according to government officials here.

Anthony: But what is this Rubber Association?

Cec: The press release that we got the other day says that it is an association that represents tire makers. That’s all it says. And it also says that a study was done in Quebec about three years after Quebec made winter tires mandatory and that that research shows that winter accidents dropped by about 5% resulting in 575 fewer injuries and also too I’d like to point out, Anthony, that the provincial government’s information says that Aviva Canada Insurance is saying that Newfoundland and Labrador filed fewer insurance claims because of winter driving accidents than anywhere else in the country, And they attribute the low number to people here properly equipping their vehicles. As well as planning their days better when driving in harsh conditions. And we did get an email last night just before I went to bed. I got something from the Rubber Association saying that they’re going to contact this government department here, Government Services Newfoundland, and they’re going to compare notes and try to clarify the Association’s position in terms of how they arrived at their numbers. So the Rubber Tire Association is looking into it and I guess that’s the question for us this morning. I mean is it? Do half of us use winter tires or is it much higher than that? And hopefully we’ll get some feedback from our listeners on it.

Anthony: Yeah, and later in the show you’ll be talking to a guy who makes his living and his livelihood off of changing and selling tires.

Cec: Yes, I’ll be popping down to King’s Bridge service Station in St. John’s at the bottom of Kenna’s hill there. We’ll do that after the National News at 8:30.

Anthony: All right Cec. Talk to you then…and before that as well. Now as you heard Cec mention, we’d like to hear what you think. 576-5259. I don’t know…a survey that says 85% of people in this province are using winter tires on at least one of their vehicles. It sounds kind of high to me but I haven’t done the polling I don’t know…ah…your thoughts. 576-5759. We’ll try to get to the bottom of why there’s this discrepancy on winter tire usage in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Gold Star Award to Cooper Weather-Master S/T2 Winter Tires

Now that we have snow covered roads and temperatures at or below zero degrees, ON is officially into winter driving season. All over Toronto GTA area, as well as other areas in the province, tire shops are flat out busy trying to keep up with tire changeovers from all-seasons to winter tires.

It’s time to remind those who are still shopping for winter tires to take a good look at the Cooper winter tire lineup. I’d like to focus in this post on the Cooper Weather-Master S/T2 which has been a regular staple of ON motorists for more than twenty years. As far as aftermarket winter tires are concerned, it is possible that over the last twenty years or so, more Cooper Weather-Master S/T2 tires have been sold than many other single winter tire design.

I have personally had the Weather-Master S/T2 tires on one of my own vehicles for at least three winter seasons, maybe four, and they performed extremely well each season and provided lots of miles of wear. Cooper advertises their Weather-Master S/T2 as a winter weather performance tire for drivers of coupes, sedans, minivans, crossovers and smaller SUV's. Cooper has utilized their exclusive Snow Groove Design Technology on the S/T2 and has designed for it a computer-optimized tread pitch sequence which reduces any tread noise and increases the ride comfort characteristics of the tire.

This tire has a reputation for delivering outstanding traction and handling on snow and ice as well as in other cold weather conditions. It is a studdable tire which increases its performance on ice when studs are installed. Unique tire polymers also provide superior traction on wet or dry road surfaces.

Notre Dame Tire has awarded this tire the Gold Star Award for Value since the S/T2 performs like a much more expensive winter tire yet can be purchased at a bargain on our website.

Here's how one tire review summed up the Weather-Master S/T2:

• Excellent grip and traction on dry, wet, snow and slush
• Responsive steering
• Above average brake performance
• Long lasting treadlife
• Lower price makes for an excellent value

Overall Thoughts
The Weather Master is underrated among some of the bigger name winter tires. Its performance in deep snow, slush, rain and even on cold dry pavement is on par with the winter tires from Bridgestone, Michelin and others. Steering is very responsive and the ride is good as well.

The tire is studdable, so for drivers who live in an area that sees a lot of snow and ice, you have the option of adding studs. The one area we would like to see improved upon is added grip on ice. Overall, the performance, long lasting treadlife and lower price make this an outstanding value among any winter tire brand.

Winter Tires versus All Season Tires for ON Motorists

It's surprising to find that many drivers in our province still do not act upon the best science in regard to the type of tires they use during winter months. Perhaps it's because of cost that some NL motorists stick with their all-season tires throughout the winter months as well. Or perhaps they find it is just too much of a hassle to get their tires changed over twice a year.

However, these drivers could be making a very big mistake. In terms of safety and general driving control, winter tires far surpass the all-season tires when temperatures go below 7 degrees Celsius.

All legitimate winter tires carry the snowflake symbol and mountain graphic. All-season tires might have the designation M+S, meaning “Mud + Snow” but that designation is somewhat misleading when it comes to the kind of winter conditions which we find anywhere in our province, including GTA Toronto. All-season tires are fine for occasional snow in areas where snow is an unusual or rare event. We all know that in general Ontario does not fall into that category from October through April.

Keep in mind that the typical passenger tire has approximately the same amount of tread contact with the road as a pair of adult feet so when there is snow or ice on the ground you had better be sure that your tires are well matched to what comes in contact with them. That means you really need a winter tire for maximum safety and driving control. In fact, those who actually make it through a full winter season in ON driving on all-season tires without a close call are either very lucky people or their car has been stored in the garage all winter.

As the above video produced by Continental Tires indicates, even the lower winter temperatures, aside from actual snow and ice on the road, makes it very difficult for all-season tires to offer you the kind of safety you'd be expecting on the road.

Giti Tire Produces YouTube Video to Tell Story and to Promote Products

Giti Tire is promoting itself by means of a three minute video on YouTube. This video provides details on the brand's history as well as the types and range of tires which it sells in North America.

Giti Tire produces the GT Radial tire line and these tires are available in the province of Ontario.

These tires are very reasonably priced and make a great alternative to the more expensive top tier tire manufacturer lines like Michelin, Goodyear and Bridgestone.

2012 Tire Brand Study Will Help ON Motorists Shop for Tires

Whether you are a motorist living in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax or Pickereing or elsewhere in ON, understanding the availability and ratings of tire brands will definitely make you wiser in your shopping when it comes time for you to buy tires.

In a recent study of North American tire dealers, staff were asked to rate the performance of the tire brands they regularly stock and sell. Take note that no consumers or end users were interviewed about their opinions. Also, the study did not involve any actual testing of tires.

The study analyzed only dealer attitudes and opinions about the various brands they sold to their customers. In fact, those who participated had no opportunity to even rate brands which they did not sell so it makes for an interesting poll. There were 2,00 telephone surveys completed and serious attempts were made to get a representative sampling from all over North America.

Take a look at the study and hopefully it will help to educate you on tire brands.

Click here to see the 2012 Tire Brand Study

Conti PureContact is Continental’s New Luxury Performance All-Season Replacement Tire

The new Continental PureContact has a full package of features which includes patented technologies such as EcoPlus, Comfort Ride and Tuned Performance Indicator. These features are said to “help drivers save money, be kind to the environment, and arrive to their destinations safely.” In addition to these new innovations the PureContact offers great selling points for NL motorists from St. John’s to Port-aux-Basques, specifically an enhanced snow grip, expanded warranty, luxury styling and more.

The unique EcoPlus compoun­ding is made up of special polymers responsive to varying temperatures as well as a compound termed si­lane which extends tread life, contributes to superior wet braking and all round wet grip. As a final bonus, EcoPlus also improves low rolling resistance.

Tuned Performance Indicators are the letters “D,” “W” and “S” molded into the tire’s tread at different depths. As tread wears and tread depth decreases the letters that are remain visible provide the owner with a good picture of indicate the tire’s optimal level of performance in conditions of dry, wet and snow, respectively.

PureContact’s Com­fort Ride innovation constructs the tire in order to ab­sorb vibrations from the surface of the road and thus it makes for a smoother ride. Tread blocks in the tire are also chamfered, resulting in better braking and lateral grip on dry surfaces while engineered traction grooves are designed to improve snow grip, which should be a plus for NL drivers who decide to push the limit and drive with all-season tires throughout the year (not recommended!).

Continental Tire summarizes the tire as “a skillful balance of luxury and all-season performance designed for long wear, a comfortable ride, and best-in-class wet braking.

The PureContact will be available  in 27 H- and V-speed-rated sizes (UTQG rating of 700AA) ranging from 15- to 18-inch wheel diameters, and is due to hit dealer stores in Canada in the Spring of 2013. The Pure­Contact comes with a 60-day customer satisfaction trial and a 70,000-mile or 72-month limited warranty program.

Continental is targeting the owners of 2007 and newer luxury performance vehicles who are looking for a replacement tire with competitive price but with better performance than the OE tire. These owners typically have vehicles that came new with Michelin, Bridgestone or Goodyear tires. Potential buyers for these tires in our province of NL would be owners of Lexus, Cadillac, Infiniti, Buick, Lin­coln, Acura, Toyota, Volvo, and Hyundai.

The PureContact tire is manufactured in Mt. Vernon, Illinois as well as in Mexico. 

Hankook Tire "Be One With It"

Hankook Tire Co. is rolling out its new global TV commercial effort under its "Be One With It" tagline.

“To communicate Hankook’s edge over its competitors, the TV ad illustrates a very dynamic and aesthetic set of sequences with beautiful cinematography and cross-cutting between both the driver and the boarder barreling through the wintry landscape,” the tiremaker said. “Resembling that of a spy movie, the spot was filmed in the snowy mountains in New Zealand at an altitude of almost 4,000 feet.”

 “Since the first launch of our Be One with It campaign in May 2011, we received tremendous commendation from our fans around the world,” said Se Heon Kim, Hankook’s vice president of brand division. “The new winter edition once again seamlessly associates with the Hankook brand by not only symbolizing flawless performance in the most extreme driving conditions, but also illustrating the best driving performance out of our tires without compromising precise control in the most extreme winter road conditions.”

New Falken Ziex S/TZ05 Tire Previewed at SEMA

Falken Tire announced at the Global Tire Expo/SEMA Show that it will introduce the latest generation of its all-season performance tire for luxury SUVs and light trucks, the Ziex S/TZ05, on Dec. 3.

The tire, which comes with a 50,000-mile warranty, features the latest in tread compound and construction technology designed specifically for SUV and half-ton sport light truck applications, according to Falken. Key to the character of the S/TZ05 is its advanced M+S all-season, non-directional tread design, giving the customer the ability to rotate the tire in all directions, thus optimizing tread life.

The new S/TZ05 features double-tapered tread blocks and staggered shoulder lug grooves, facilitating a smooth, quiet and dynamic tire and sporting a state-of-the-art look. The tiremaker added the tire’s all-season performance comes from its double taper-cut tread blocks that intensify noise reduction and water evacuation. A solid center rib improves lateral handling and highway stability, while wide shoulder blocks increase tread stiffness and performance and provide for an even wear throughout the tire’s life, according to Falken.

The S/TZ05 will be released in popular SUV and LT wheel fitments ranging from 20 to 24 inches.

Shelby Chooses Michelin Pilot Super Sport

The new Shelby American wide body cars - GTS, GT350 Super Snake and Shelby 1000 - and the GT500 Super Snake standard body all come fitted with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires.

Michelin North America said the tire, “designed for the sportiest cars and ultra-high-performance vehicles,” uses a full range of expertise gained from endurance racing, in particular the 24 Hours of Le Mans.  

“A demanding vehicle requires a tire capable of delivering optimum performance. The Michelin Pilot Super Sport tire is at the top of the Michelin ultra-high performance range and provides a level of handling and braking demanded by the outstanding vehicles from Shelby American,” said Doug Brown, MNA brand category manager.

Hercules Tire & Rubber Co. Launching Three New Winter Tires

Hercules Tire & Rubber Co. is launching three new winter tires for the 2012-13 winter season. 

New are the Hercules HSI-S, Hercules HSI-L and the Ironman Polar Trax. All three include silica-based winter traction tread compound, Hercules said.

The Hercules HSI-L features a directional tread design with deep grooves and “intricate siping” for traction, water drainage and snow removal. The HSI-L is available in 10 V-rated sizes covering 16- through 18-inch wheel diameters. There also is a pair of 8-ply commercial sizes, Hercules said.

The studdable Hercules HSI-S features a directional tread pattern with a center rib and heavy siping for steering response, and wide lateral grooves for water/slush removal and grip. The HSI-S is available in 13 sizes in 14- through 17-inch wheel diameters, with six commercial sizes.


Ironman Polar Trax is also studdable, with a directional tread design and high silica compound for traction. It is available in 22 sizes covering 13- through 17-inch wheel diameters for with passenger, SUV and commercial fitments

Mickey Thompson Releases New Street Comp Ultra-High Performance Tire

Mickey Thompson gives us a look at their new Street Comp ultra-high performance tire. This tire was designed for cars with higher horsepower and torque, especially Detroit muscle cars. The Street Comp is available in 18 sizes and is said to excel in both wet and dry conditions thanks to its unique tread design. UTQG treadwear rating is 300 AAA.

Here's what the Press Release says:

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels (Mickey Thompson) is proud to introduce the new Street Comp ultra-high performance (UHP) tire. This newly developed tire utilizes Mickey Thompson's legendary race tire technology in a street tire that's perfect for late model American muscle cars and more.

"The Street Comp was designed with American muscle cars in mind," said Ken Warner, VP Sales & Marketing, Mickey Thompson. "These cars have higher horsepower and torque and need a UHP street tire with superior response and ride comfort. The Street Comp delivers it all, as well as the ultimate style you'd expect from Mickey Thompson, giving discerning enthusiasts a top-shelf performance product at a competitive price."

The Street Comp, scheduled for availability in September 2012, has a UTQG 300 AA A treadwear rating and a unique tread design for superior performance and responsive handling in both wet and dry conditions. The Street Comp is available in 18 popular sizes.

·        Asymmetric Tread Design

·        Superior Wet and Dry Performance

·        Delivers Crisp and Tight Steering Response

·        UTQG 300 AA A

Notre Dame Tire is Your One Stop Shopping Source for Tires and Wheels

First posting!

Here we go:

Notre Dame Tire is your one stop shopping source for tires and wheels! Shop for all the major brands of tires and custom wheels in one great online shopping portal. And what a bonus: Notre Dame Tire offers more tire and wheel product than some of the largest online retailers anywhere in Canada or the US! No longer do the residents of our great province have to order tires and wheels online from far distant suppliers in the US or Canada and wonder who they are dealing with and whether their products will arrive as promised. Not to mention what does the NL customer do in such cases when products don't show up or aren't as promised? We can all imagine what a frustrating nightmare
that could be.

It's time to put all those worries behind! Notre Dame Tire is a division of MyShop Inc. a 100% Canadian incorporated and owned company. We are local! And we have a real and a live presence
in our great province in the Oshawa area, within Toronto GTA. Like never before, online ON customers can now have the greatest confidence shopping for tires and wheels at Notre Dame Tire. Connect with a local ON business!

Why not start your worry free shopping experience today?