Shaw Tire Guide
Shaw GMC Tire Guide
At Shaw GMC, we know that keeping our customers happy doesn’t stop when they drive off the lot. Good tires and quality maintenance are the cornerstones of a smooth drive. That’s why we strive to offer the best deals in Calgary on top-quality tires and services.
Exclusive Tire Deals and Promotions
Looking for a new set of tires? Don't break the bank on a new set of wheels, visit us first! Regardless of what you're driving, we've got a set of wheels for you, and at an amazing price to match.
Scroll down to explore what we've got to offer. Save on tires and service with Shaw GMC.
Winter Tires
Alberta winters can be a rough ride for many drivers. Luckily, we’ve got great deals on winter tires to help keep you safe on even the iciest or snowiest of roads.
All-Season Tires
If you’re looking for an all-rounder set of tires that can comfortably navigate through wet, dry, or snowy conditions, we’ve got just the inventory for you. Explore our deals on all-season tires and set your car up for smooth driving all year long.
Seasonal Tire Change Service
As the temperatures drop or rise, you’ll want to get your car set up for a new season as quickly and smoothly as possible. That’s why we offer a wealth of service specials on tire changeovers, keeping the hassle out of prepping your car for new driving conditions.
How do I know when to change my tires?
Whether you’re thinking about the daily commute or planning a road trip, you want to make sure that you’ve got the right tires to handle any conditions that come your way. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to factors such as:
Weather and Terrain
Road conditions under rain, snow, or ice will determine whether you should spend on all-season, summer, or winter tires.
Tire Size
The bigger your wheels, the more traction you’ll have on the road. However, you’ll also have to consider fuel efficiency, which decreases with size.
Speed Rating
If you’re pushing the limit on your speedometer, you need to make sure you’ve got the right tires to handle high speeds.
Load Rating
Using your vehicle for some heavy lifting? Make sure you double check the load rating on your tires to avoid a blowout.
For more information on how to pick the right tires for your vehicle, check out our guide. In addition, we’ve also got a few tips on how to determine the right time to change your tires, helping you avoid breaking the bank on needless replacements.
How to read your tires.
Where You Can Find Your Tire Size;
On the sidewall of your tire or on the inside frame of the driver-side door
Aspect Ratio (Ratio %)
The aspect ratio measures the height of the sidewall as a percentage of the tire width. For example, a tire size 205/65 R16 has an aspect ratio of 65, meaning the sidewall height is 65% of the tire width.
Size, Speed Rating & Load Index Tire Width (Millimetres)
Tire width is measured in millimetres from sidewall to sidewall and is shown in the first three-digit number of the tire size. Here, the tire width is 205mm.
Rim Diameter (Inches)
Rim diameter refers to the size of the wheel (in inches) measured from edge to edge across the face of the wheel and determines the size of the rim that the tire can be mounted on.
Load Index (Number)
The tire load index indicates how much weight your car can safely carry based on tire size and pressure. The higher the load index, the more weight the tire can carry.
Speed Rating (Letter)
A tire’s speed rating indicates the fastest speed it can handle before it no longer performs as designed. Here, V = 240km/h!
Tire Wear Patterns
Toe Wear
The outer edge of each rib on your tire is referred to as the "toe". This part should be in contact with the road as much as the other side of the tire rib, and wear on only the toe usually means that your tire alignment is off. How can you be sure? Just check the edge, if it's thinnest part, then you're due for a tire alignment to make sure the whole tire is touching the road evenly.
Camber Wear
When one half of the tire is more worn than the other, you're typically dealing with camber wear. This can be a serious issue when corner, depending on how severe the turn is, and it's a risk that needs to be monitored closely to ensure your safety. A tire alignment at our service centre is the best way to fix camber wear.
Centre Wear
One of the more common types of tire wear comes from the centre of the tire wearing down, as opposed to even wear across the whole tire. Since the outer edges look fine, this is usually tougher to spot, so be sure to check your tires regularly. The usual reason for centre wear is over-inflated tires, as too much air bulges them out in the centre, meaning the outside doesn't have as much contact with the road.
Edge Wear
The opposite of the above is referred to as edgewear. This is the result of under inflated tires, meaning the outer edges of the tire have more contact than the centre. This is just as dangerous as centre wear, since not all of your tire will have contact with the road, and you're much more likely to lose grip. Always check your tire pressure to make sure that they're properly inflated depending on your usage.
Patch Wear
Patch wear is a much rarer than other forms of tire wear and is pretty straightforward. It's the result of an imbalance in your tires, leading to erratic contact with the road, with some parts touching more consistently than others. This leads to patches of heavy wear, which only worsens over time as more contact with the road happens. It's important to check in on this when especially when you've recently changed your tires and getting them balanced to repair the issue if necessary.
Cup Wear
Cup wear is the final type of tire wear, being one of the easiest to diagnose but also one of the most serious. If you've got erratic patches along the same line of your tire, it's likely a sign that your suspension is bent or worn out - this wears against your wheels to create that "scalloped" pattern. Fixing the suspension damage should solve this issue quickly.
