Nepean Towing provides new tire installation in Ottawa for drivers who need a full tire replacement rather than a repair. Whether your tires are worn out, damaged beyond repair, or you are upgrading to a dedicated winter or summer set, call (613) 619-4545 and we source and install the right tires at your location across the Ottawa-Gatineau area.
New tire installation does not require a shop visit. We bring the tires to you and complete the mounting, balancing, and installation at your home, your workplace, or wherever the vehicle is parked. Call with your vehicle details and tire size and we confirm availability and quote you a price before dispatching.
Tires wear down gradually and many Ottawa drivers are not sure exactly when the threshold for replacement has been reached. The most reliable indicator is tread depth. New tires start at roughly 10mm of tread. Ontario law requires a minimum of 1.6mm, but most safety organizations recommend replacing tires at 3mm, particularly for winter driving where tread depth directly affects grip on snow and ice. If you press a quarter into the tread groove with the caribou's nose pointing in and the nose disappears, you are above 3mm. If it stays visible, the tire is due for replacement.
Age is also a factor independent of tread depth. Rubber compounds degrade over time regardless of how much the tire has been driven. Most manufacturers recommend replacing tires after six to ten years from the date of manufacture, even if the tread still appears adequate. The manufacture date is printed on the tire sidewall as a four-digit code inside a small oval: the first two digits are the week and the last two are the year. A tire marked 2318 was made in the 23rd week of 2018.
Ottawa's climate creates a genuine split between the performance requirements of summer and winter driving. Choosing the right tire type affects how the vehicle handles, stops, and responds in the conditions you actually drive in.
Replacing a single tire while leaving the opposite tire on the same axle significantly worn creates a handling imbalance. The vehicle will pull toward the worn tire under braking and the traction difference between the two tyres affects stability control system behaviour. Replace tires in pairs on the same axle at minimum, and ideally all four at once to maintain consistent handling across all four corners. If budget requires replacing only one axle, put the new tires on the rear axle for better oversteer control regardless of whether the vehicle is front or rear wheel drive.
The correct tire size for your vehicle is printed on the placard inside the driver's door jamb. It is also listed in your owner's manual. The size appears as a string of numbers and letters, for example 225/65R17: the first number is the tread width in millimetres, the second is the aspect ratio of the sidewall height to width, and the number after R is the rim diameter in inches. When you call us, have this information ready or give us the vehicle make, model, year, and trim and we look it up before arriving.
View all tire services on our Tire Service Ottawa page.
You can replace fewer than four, but there are important considerations. Replacing a single tire while the other on the same axle is significantly worn creates a handling imbalance. At minimum, replace tires in pairs on the same axle. If your vehicle has AWD, some manufacturers require all four tires to be within a specific tread depth of each other to avoid stressing the drivetrain. Check your owner's manual or ask us when you call if you are unsure about your vehicle's requirements.
Winter tires use a softer rubber compound that stays pliable below 7°C, along with a tread pattern designed specifically for snow, slush, and ice. All-season tires are a year-round compromise that performs adequately in light winter conditions but does not match dedicated winter tires in Ottawa's colder months. For a city that sees significant snow and ice from November through March, winter tires provide a measurable improvement in braking distance and cornering grip compared to all-seasons in those conditions.
Lifespan depends on the tire type, driving habits, and road conditions. All-season tires on Ottawa roads typically last 60,000 to 100,000 kilometres under normal driving. Winter tires wear faster because the softer rubber compound that gives them grip also wears more quickly, typically lasting four to six seasons depending on how many kilometres are driven in winter. Regardless of wear, rubber compounds degrade with age and tires older than six to ten years should be replaced even if tread depth appears acceptable.
Yes. That is the core of this service. Call with your vehicle make, model, year, and tire size. We confirm what is available, quote you a price for the tires and installation together, and schedule a time to come to your location. You do not need to arrange transport to a shop or wait for a bay to open. We come to your driveway, parking spot, or wherever the vehicle is and complete the installation on site.
Yes. Rubber compounds degrade over time regardless of remaining tread depth. At eight years, the compounds in the tire have aged to the point where grip, particularly in wet and cold conditions, is meaningfully reduced compared to a new tire of the same type. Visible cracking in the sidewalls or between tread blocks is a clear sign of age-related degradation. Even without visible cracking, most tire manufacturers and safety organizations recommend replacement at six to ten years from the manufacture date printed on the sidewall.
Call Nepean Towing. We source and install new tires at your location across the Ottawa-Gatineau area. No shop visit required.
(613) 619-4545
See all tire services: Tire Service Ottawa
Back to homepage