Stop procrastinating and make an appointment to install your winter tires: CAA-Quebec
The temperature is slowly dropping and that can only mean winter -- and snow -- is on the way.
CAA-Quebec is reminding Quebecers across the province it’s never too early to call your garage and make an appointment to have your winter tires installed.
Too many people procrastinate and are left scrambling to make their appointments at the last minute, the organization notes.
“The key is to be proactive. If you wait, you may not get an appointment for one, two or even three weeks," said Pierre-Serge Labbé, CAA-Quebec vice-president of automotive services. "By planning ahead, you not only make sure you meet the Dec. 1 deadline and stay safe on the road, but you also give garage owners a much-needed break.”
The organization points out installing winter tires early doesn't mean they'll wear out faster.
"Given the shortage of garage mechanics in the province right now, making an appointment makes it easier for your trusted garage or one of our approved auto repair service locations to plan their staffing needs so they can provide the high-quality service you deserve in this busy season," the organization states.
BUT THE DEADLINE'S SO FAR AWAY
CAA-Quebec recommends Quebecers install their winter tires as soon as the temperature drops below seven degrees Celsius for several consecutive days.
The organization, in cooperation with MétéoMédia, estimates these are the best dates to have your winter tires ready to go, based on region:
- Gaspé: Oct. 30
- Gatineau: Nov. 5
- Montreal: Nov. 10
- Quebec City: Nov. 5
- Rimouski: Oct. 30
- Saguenay: Oct. 25
- Sept-Îles: Oct. 20
- Sherbrooke: Nov. 5
- Val-d’Or: Oct. 25
ARE MY TIRES STILL SAFE?
There is a quick trick to find out if your tires will hold up through the winter, according to CAA-Quebec.
"It’s very simple, you just need a quarter," it states. "If you can see the caribou’s nose when you insert the quarter into one of the grooves on your tire, it means that the tread depth is less than 5 mm (6/32 of an inch) and your tires need changing."
You can also use a tread depth gauge to get an exact measurement.
"These are two effective ways of making sure your tires will be safe right until the end of winter," CAA-Quebec notes.
CAA-Quebec's third edition of National Winter Tire Appointment Week takes place from Oct. 4 to 10.
The deadline to have your winter tires installed in Quebec is Dec. 1.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
India's foreign minister reacts to murder charges, claims Canada welcomes criminals
India's Foreign Affairs Minister accused Canada of welcoming criminals from his country in response to the RCMP's recent arrests in a homicide that has roiled tensions between the two countries.
15-year-old boy stabbed in Ottawa on Thursday dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.
'A tiny city:' Pro-Palestinian campus protesters organize for another week
Pro-Palestinian activists have set up tents at universities in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal, following a wave of similar protests at campuses in the United States linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Lawsuit against Meta asks if Facebook users have right to control their feeds using external tools
Do social media users have the right to control what they see — or don't see — on their feeds?
A Holocaust survivor will mark that history differently after the horrors of Oct. 7
This year's Holocaust Remembrance Day, which begins on Sunday evening in Israel, carries a heavier weight than usual for many Jews around the world.
Princess Anne lays wreath at Battle of Atlantic ceremony; honours late Queen
Princess Anne saluted Canadian veterans and current forces members and honoured her late mother during separate ceremonies Sunday in Victoria as she wrapped up a three-day British Columbia West Coast royal visit.
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.