Tire change, seasonal swap or balancing: which one do you need?

Around Edmonton, people use "tire change" to mean three different jobs. Booking the right one saves you time and money. Here is the difference.

Tire change (mount and balance)

What it is: We take your tires off your rims and mount a different set of tires onto the same rims.

When you need it:

• You have one set of rims and two sets of tires (summer and winter), and you change the tires on the rims each season.
• You bought new or used tires that are not on rims.
• You are replacing worn-out tires.

What is included: Mounting and balancing. Every tire is balanced after it is mounted.

Price is based on: vehicle type and rim size, with a small add-on for low-profile tires. See our pricing.

Seasonal swap (tires already on rims)

What it is: Your second set of tires is already mounted on its own rims. We take one set of wheels off and bolt the other set on. No tires come off any rims.

When you need it: Every spring and fall, if you own two complete wheel sets.

What is included: Removing and installing the wheels. Balancing is not included, because nothing was re-mounted.

Why it is cheaper: It is a faster job with less handling of the tires. It is also easier on your tires and rims over the years. If you are buying used winter tires, buying them already on rims usually pays for itself within a couple of seasons. See Buying used tires already on rims.

Wheel balancing

What it is: A wheel and tire spin on a balancing machine, which finds heavy spots. We add small weights to even it out.

When you need it:

• You feel a vibration through the steering wheel or seat, often around highway speed on the Henday or Whitemud.
• Your seasonal wheel set has not been balanced in a while.
• A wheel weight has fallen off (you may see a clean rectangle where it used to be).

What is included: Balancing of mounted wheels.

Quick decision guide

Still not sure? Message us with what you have and we will tell you which to book.