Need winter tires? Ontario tire shops are warning residents to get them early this year
Tire supply shops are warning Ontarians that securing specific types of tires this year may be more difficult than usual due to shortages caused by the pandemic.
“Last year, when COVID-19 started, there was a big pause in production at most of the tire manufacturers," Ron Pierce, Ontario Regional Director with Kal Tire, told CTV News Toronto.
The shortage could be caused by a number of factors — some tire companies had to close down their factories amid the pandemic, there’s been a shortage of rubber due to recent poor rubber tree harvests and some ports have been closed, leading to shipping delays.
Pierce said that, while Kal Tire is well stocked with inventory, he expects some sizes could sell out and be harder to restock this fall and winter.
“I would really recommend shopping early, especially if you are looking for a specific brand or sizing. There will be sizes and tires that will not be available out there.”
At Green Car Tire in Scarborough, they've also been told by suppliers some tires will be harder to source this fall.
“We've heard from all our suppliers that there will be a limited supply of some tires," Corey Stokes with Green Car Tire said.
Stokes said while tire shops may have a good supply now, that could change as the season progresses.
“You’re better off to try and get them sooner than later, especially if your insurance obligates you to have them on your vehicle,” he said.
Frances Ranger was in to get her winter tires switched, as she wanted to get it done before the first snowfall.
“My husband was on the ball and made the appointment nice and early, so we are not caught having to wait longer than we wanted to," Ranger said.
Every year more Canadians are switching to winter tires and, according to the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada, about 69 per cent of drivers use them.
The tire industry expects the supply chain issues won't be resolved for at least another year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
NEW More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks
Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.
Polar ice is melting and changing Earth's rotation. It's messing with time itself
One day in the next couple of years, everyone in the world will lose a second of their time. Exactly when that will happen is being influenced by humans, according to a new study, as melting polar ice alters the Earth’s rotation and changes time itself.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
NEW 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire': A crowd pleaser that turns it up to 11
Hot on the heels of last year's 'Godzilla Minus One' comes 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,' the first ever Academy Award winner in the giant reptile's decades-long film career.
Deaths of 4 people on Sask. farm confirmed as murder-suicide
The deaths of four people on a farm near the Saskatchewan village of Neudorf have been confirmed a murder-suicide.