Ledingham GM Tire Education Centre
Whether you commute to Winnipeg, work in Steinbach or you drive on Manitoba secondary roads every day, tires are the single most important safety feature on your car. They connect your car to the road and modern, life-saving technologies like ABS, front brake assist, and stability control cannot do their job if your tires have no grip on the road.
Ledingham GM may be based in Steinbach but it’s worth the trip for new tires when we offer all of our tires at cost in addition to our 30-day price match guarantee.
You can order your tires online through our tire finder (link) or call Ledingham GM at 204-326-3451.
DOS
DO BUY TIRES FROM A REPUTABLE, TRUSTED SOURCE
When the time comes to shop for tires, many people go to the dealership or their local mechanic -- but these businesses often carry a limited number of brands or tire models. Ledingham GM is a full-service tire dealer and we carry a wide range of brand names; our team is familiar with local weather and road conditions. Talk to our service advisors about the type of driving you do and get our recommendations.
DO HAVE REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
Tires are a trade-off. Certain tires are designed to do certain things and that will mean a trade off at some point. Performance tires tend to wear out faster, while tires that give a more comfortable ride may be less agile in the corners.
DO BUY FOUR TIRES AT ONCE
It's best to replace all four tires at once, but financial situations can dictate whether that’s possible. If you must replace your tires in pairs, put the new tires on the back (regardless of whether the car is front- or rear-wheel-drive), this helps the car retain its stability and predictability (older tires on the rear will make the car more likely to spin out).
DO ROTATE YOUR TIRES REGULARLY
Rotating the tires every 10,000 to 12,000 kilometers will ensure that your tires wear at the same rate. This will help you to get the most return on your investment and ensure that all four tires will be ready for replacement at the same time.
DO BUY TWO SETS OF TIRES
Most cars come with all-season tires. Imagine using the same pair of shoes for jogging, hiking, tramping through snow, and ballet dancing, and you'll understand the problem with all-season tires.
In Manitoba we recommend that you buy a set of proper snow tires (also known as winter tires) and use them in the winter. All-season tires are designed to handle all weather conditions, but they aren't optimized for any particular one. Snow tires are designed for one thing and one thing only: Keeping your car going where you point it when temperatures are low and the roads are covered in snow and ice. By using snow tires in the winter, you can opt for a "summer" tire better suited to your tastes -- be that a quieter, more comfortable ride, better handling, improved rain performance or longer tread-life.
DON'TS
DON'T CHEAP OUT ON YOUR TIRES
You have options when it comes to tires, but cheap or poorly-designed tires can make for longer stopping distances and less control in an emergency maneuver. We recommend that our customers buy tires with an A or AA rating at the minimum. To find your current tire rating, check the tire itself - all tires have traction ratings (AA, A, B or C) stamped right on the tire.
DON'T SPEND TOO MUCH ON YOUR TIRES
There are lesser-known tire manufacturers that produce excellent products at lower prices, and brand names tend to cost more. Get recommendations from your trusted tire dealer when you’re ready to buy.
DON’T REPLACE JUST ONE TIRE
NEVER replace a single tire -- if a tire is damaged and cannot be repaired, replace it as well as its partner on the other side of the car.
DON'T ASSUME OEM IS BEST
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) tires are the ones fitted to your car at the factory but buying the same type of tire as a replacement isn't always the best choice. Manufacturers look for a tire that will provide acceptable performance in all conditions from lake season to sledding season. They may choose a tire that emphasizes comfort over handling or handling over tread life. As a consumer, you can do better by shopping around and identifying your priorities for your tires.
