winter tires

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It’s Canadian Tire Day At My House Today

Today might be Canadian tire day. … I’m not sure, we’ll have to see how it goes.

It's Canadian Tire Day At My House Today

One of Canada’s staple stores for auto, hardware and sports has always been Canadian Tire … or affectionately referred to as “crappy tire”. 

I make it a point not to get my car serviced there, but I will often buy my gas at Canadian Tire. 

I do love the Canadian Tire money. Back before they went digital, you would always walk out of the store not only with your purchase, but also with a few bills of Canadian Tire money in various denominations. 

The bills were only worth pennies, but they added up. 

As much as I loved getting Canadian Tire money, I hated being in the checkout line behind someone who was paying with it. 

Every bill had to be counted … by hand! There would be a pile of 10 cent bills and then 25 cent bills … it was painful to watch. 

But why am I telling you about the Canadian Tire store? This blog isn’t about the store, it’s about what day it is. 

I’m making it up, of course, but I think, well, maybe I might change the tires on my car today. 

It’s time to take off the winter tires and put on my summer tires. 

I’m actually hoping that I don’t have to go to the Canadian Tire store today. I should have everything I need in my garage to change my tires. 

It used to be a major ordeal. I’d use the little rickety jack that came with the vehicle – that in itself was a pain. But a few years ago I bought a few things (from Canadian Tire) that have streamed-lined the process for me. 

There is one part, however, that I’m not looking forward to. It seems to happen every season: one or more of the tires gets frozen on to the vehicle. I’m not sure how to describe it better than that. 

I will take all the bolts off and that tire won’t budge. I can hit it, kick it, talk to it, even yell at it and it will not come off. 

I’m just hoping that if today is Canadian tire day at my house, my tires will all pop off easily.  

For years I was against Canadian tire day – I didn’t change my tires at all. I had all seasons. 

But I think the tire manufacturers decided we should be buying more tires so they changed the formula in the rubber they use. Now, apparently, you want soft rubber on those winter tires because the harder summer tire rubber is too slippery when the weather get colder. 

My summer tires are near the end of their life so I’m hoping that if today is Canadian tire day for me, we won’t get any cold snaps where my summer tires are rendered useless. 

The one nice thing about putting on my summer tires is they come with hubcaps. After going through the winter with ugly winter rims on my car, it will be nice to have better looking wheels. 

Here’s the thing: There is a day coming up at the end of this week – it’s called Easter. It’s the day we celebrate Christ rising from the grave. It’s a day we should treat as special, a day when we give time and focus to what Jesus did for us. He died on the cross to pay for our sins, that we could be forgiven and have a relationship with God. Now that’s a day!

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: What plans do you have to celebrate Easter? Leave your comments and questions below.

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Winter Time and Snow Tires

Today I’m appreciating a decision I made this winter. For the first time, I put snow tires on my car. Up to now I had no intention, no desire to do it, but circumstances helped me make the decision.

snow-tires

A few years ago, I was given a set of old tires on rims but after time they were worn out.

So I had a set of good-for-nothing tires on rims just waiting to be used for something … I contemplated turning them into planters but I’m not the gardening type so I didn’t pursue that Idea.

The tires were no good but the rims were in decent shape. They were too good to use as a fire pit, so I just kept them in my garage … until this January.

Apparently, the farmers’ almanac said we were going to get lots of snow this year and I remembered that snow was in plenty supply last year as well. So I decided it was time to do what I had always been against … and that is to get snow tires.

I hadn’t driven a car with snow tires since they outlawed studs on tires back in the 70’s. I liked the clickity-clack of those studded tires as they danced along the 401, chewing up the asphalt in their wake.

Back then the answer to the removal of the studded tires was all-season radial tires. That’s what everyone bought for the longest time. I never heard of anyone putting winter tires on their car.

The only one who even advertised them was Canadian Tire and, with a name like that, you can understand why they would. But in the last ten years there has been a push to sell snow tires again.

It’s a pain because you have to store them somewhere. If you don’t have an extra set of rims you have to take them to a tire shop to have them put on and taken off.

My biggest complaint is, “What’s wrong all of a sudden with the all-season radials that we’ve used for so long?!”

I had noticed that the traction with my radials wasn’t what it used to be, but I drive a standard and the “slip-slidiness” only made driving a little more fun.

Still those rims were staring me in the face every time I entered my garage. So now I’ve been driving with snow tires on my car for the last month.

I’m not ruling out that the reason we have so much snow right now is because I got winter tires but I’m blaming the weather man – they’re used to taking the blame for every kind of inclement weather.

I have to say, I’ve been pleasantly surprised how well my car performs in the snow. I don’t spin my tires as much when the light turns green, and my car feels way more secure on the road.

And the bonus is I still have a little slip-slidiness to keep my driving interesting.

Here’s the thing: I resisted getting winter tires for years. I’ve had good excuses, like the cost, the storage, the hassle. But having snow tires is worth it. You may have some good excuses for keeping your devotional life the same, but things like making some changes, adding more time, changing up the questions you ask as you interact with scripture, will present you with a refreshed approach to meeting with God.

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: What changes could you make to your devotions? Leave your comment below.