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Straight answers from Guelph's tire experts Frequently Asked Questions

We get a lot of the same questions — about storage, repairs, Road Force balancing, winter tires, and what makes us different. We've put the best ones here so you can get answers fast. If yours isn't listed, call us at (519) 836-8011 or use the contact form. We're happy to help.

The most asked questions about our seasonal storage program Tire Storage

How much does tire storage cost?

Seasonal tire storage is $99 per set, per season. That covers one set of four tires stored safely at our facility until you're ready to swap them back on. We also offer free 6-month storage when you purchase and install a set of four new tires from us. See in-store for details.

Starting Fall 2026, every set of wheels going into storage will be professionally washed before we put them away. We've invested in purpose-built wheel washing equipment — one of the first of its kind in Canada — that uses plastic bead media and warm water to remove road salt, brake dust, and contaminants from your wheels and tires before they sit in storage. Your wheels come out cleaner than they went in. See in-store for details.

Is the storage facility secure and climate controlled?

Yes. Your tires are stored in our own climate-controlled, secured facility — not handed off to a third party. We recently completed a brand new, purpose-built tire storage facility designed from the ground up with one goal: to be the best tire storage provider in the Guelph area. Every detail — the racking systems, labeling, and how tires move through the facility — was chosen with that standard in mind.

Tires are kept in a clean, cool, dark environment away from heat, direct sunlight, and moisture, which are the three things that degrade rubber fastest. And unlike most storage providers, your stored wheels and tires are insured for full replacement value. We manage everything in-house because poorly stored tires show up as problems when you least expect them.

How do I book a seasonal tire swap?

Book online at tedstirediscounter.ca or call us at (519) 836-8011. We strongly recommend booking ahead — especially in October/November and April/May when swap season peaks and appointments fill up fast. Same-day tire storage swaps are now available at our Whitelaw Road location.

Book a tire swap

What's included in the free tire storage promotion?

When you purchase and install a set of four new tires from Ted's, you receive six months of free seasonal storage. Standard storage terms and conditions apply. Ask in-store or call us and we'll walk you through the details.

Why Ted's isn't like every other tire shop Services & What Makes Us Different

What is Road Force balancing and why is it better?

Standard balancing corrects weight distribution — but it can't detect problems inside the tire or wheel itself, like flat spots or an out-of-round wheel. That's why some vehicles still shake after a "successful" balance elsewhere. Our Hunter Road Force® Elite machine presses a load roller against the tire while it spins, simulating real road pressure and finding force variation issues standard balancers simply can't see.

But equipment is only part of the equation. Our technicians are trained specifically on Road Force diagnostics — knowing what the numbers mean and how to act on them is what separates a real fix from a guess. Not everyone can turn a fast lap in an F1 car.

If your vehicle vibrates or pulls after a regular balance, Road Force is usually what fixes it. We're one of the few shops in Guelph running this equipment — and one of the fewer still with the expertise to use it properly.

Book a Road Force diagnostic

Do you do string-plug tire repairs?

No — and we never will. String plugs are a temporary fix only, and we think it's wrong that some shops sell them as permanent repairs. Every tire repair we do uses a proper plug-and-patch combination method. The tire is dismounted from the rim, fully inspected, repaired from the inside, and re-inspected before going back on your vehicle. This is the only repair method recommended by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA). Those $10 repairs you see advertised elsewhere? Not safe. Don't risk it.

What tire brands do you carry?

We carry a wide selection across all price points — including Michelin, Toyo, Falken, Bridgestone, Continental, Hankook, Yokohama, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Pirelli, Kumho, and value-tier options like Antares and Rovelo. If you're looking for something specific, call us and we'll tell you what's in stock or what we can get.

Shop tires

Do you offer wheel and tire packages?

Yes. We carry a strong selection of aftermarket wheels — including Fast Wheels and Fuel Off-Road — and we build custom wheel and tire packages for both winter and summer applications.

There's more to a proper package than matching a 17" tire to a 17" wheel. Offset, load rating, bolt pattern, speed rating, seasonal fitment strategy — a package built wrong can affect handling, safety, and even your warranty. For winter, we typically build on steel or alloy wheels sized to maximize snow tire performance. For summer, we work with alloy or plus-sized configurations to get the most out of high-performance or all-season tires.

We've been doing this a long time and have the accumulated knowledge to get it right the first time. Use our online visualizer to see how different wheels look on your vehicle before you commit — then talk to us about putting the right package together.

Summer 2026 Promotion: spend $1,500 on any alloy wheel and tire package and get a full set of TPMS sensors included.

Shop wheels

My TPMS light is on — can you help?

Yes. We sell, program, and repair Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensors. If your warning light is on, bring it in and we'll diagnose what's triggering it — whether it's a pressure issue, a dead sensor, or a programming problem after a tire swap. We also include a free set of TPMS sensors with any alloy wheel and tire package over $1,500.

Do you offer nitrogen tire inflation?

We don't — and here's why.

The air you breathe is already about 78% nitrogen, so a pure nitrogen fill offers minimal real-world benefit for everyday driving. The pressure retention and temperature stability advantages are measurable in controlled environments like racing, but on public roads most drivers won't notice a difference beyond placebo.

There's also a practical problem: if you get a flat or a low tire away from home, almost nowhere offers nitrogen as a top-up. You end up mixing gases anyway, which defeats the purpose entirely.

What actually keeps your tires performing properly is correct cold inflation pressure, checked regularly. Your vehicle manufacturer sets recommended pressures assuming cold tires — that pressure will rise as you drive, and that's already accounted for. We're happy to check and set your pressures correctly on any visit, no upsell required.

Two Guelph locations — same great service Locations & Booking

Where are your two Guelph locations?

Woodlawn Road (main location): 450 Woodlawn Rd W, Guelph, ON N1K 1A6 — (519) 836-8011

Whitelaw Road (new facility): 5070B Whitelaw Rd, Guelph, ON — brand new facility with increased capacity, more inventory, and same-day tire storage swaps available.

What are your hours at each location?

Woodlawn Rd: Monday–Friday 8:00am–5:30pm | Saturday 8:00am–12:00pm | Sunday Closed

Whitelaw Rd: Monday–Friday 8:00am–5:30pm | Saturday open throughout summer | Sunday Closed

Call (519) 836-8011 to confirm current Whitelaw Saturday hours.

Which location should I go to?

Both locations offer the full range of services and the same quality of work. If you're in the north end of Guelph or coming from the Hanlon Expressway corridor, Whitelaw Rd is most convenient. If you're coming from the west end or Woodlawn area, our original location is closest. Need same-day storage? Head to Whitelaw.

Get directions

How do I book an appointment?

Book online anytime at tedstirediscounter.ca/schedule-appointment, or call us at (519) 836-8011 during business hours. Online booking is available 24/7 — no need to call during the busy morning rush.

Book online now

What every Guelph driver should know before they buy Buying Tires

How do I know what size tires I need?

The easiest way is to use the vehicle search tool on our website — enter your year, make, and model and it will show you every compatible tire. You can also find your size on the sidewall of your current tires (it looks like 225/65R17) or on the sticker inside your driver's door jamb. Not sure? Call us — we look this up dozens of times a day and it takes about 30 seconds.

Find tires for my vehicle

What's the difference between all-season, all-weather, and winter tires in Ontario?

All-season tires are designed for dry and wet conditions in moderate temperatures. In Ontario winters, they get firm and lose grip below 7°C. Despite the name, they're not rated for winter driving.

Winter tires use a softer compound that stays flexible in cold weather, with tread patterns built for snow and ice. They can reduce stopping distances by 30–40% on snow and ice compared to all-seasons.

All-weather tires (like the Michelin CrossClimate 2 or Toyo Celsius II) carry the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) rating and are certified for winter use — but perform closer to all-seasons in deep snow. Good for lower-mileage winter drivers who want one set year-round.

Our recommendation: if you drive regularly through a Guelph winter, dedicated winter tires on a second set of wheels are the safest and most cost-effective long-term choice.

When should I switch to winter tires in Guelph?

When daily temperatures are consistently at or below 7°C — in Guelph, that's typically mid-to-late October. Don't wait for the first snowfall. Winter tires outperform all-seasons in cold temperatures even on dry pavement, because it's the temperature, not the snow, that changes how the rubber behaves. Book your changeover in September or early October. Swap season fills up fast and you don't want to be scrambling after the first storm.

Book your winter tire swap

Do you offer financing?

Yes. We offer financing options to help spread out the cost of tires and wheels. Visit our financing page or ask in-store for current terms and approval details.

View financing options

Guelph's locally owned tire shop since 1990 About Ted's Tire Discounter

How long has Ted's Tire been in business?

Ted's Tire Discounter has been serving Guelph and surrounding areas since 1990 — over 35 years. We're a family business now into our second generation of ownership. Our second location on Whitelaw Rd opened in 2026, and we're proud to still be the same locally owned, independent shop we've always been.

Are you locally owned?

Yes, 100%. Ted's Tire Discounter is independently owned and operated in Guelph. We're not a franchise, not a chain, and not owned by a national corporation. The decisions get made here, by people who live in this community. We're also a proud member of the Guelph Garage Owners Association (GGOA) — a network of independent shops committed to doing the right service at the right time at a fair price.

How do I leave a review?

We'd genuinely appreciate it. The best place is Google — search "Ted's Tire Discounter Guelph" and you'll find us. Reviews help other Guelph drivers find us and make a confident decision, and they help us stay sharp. If something wasn't right, call us first — we'll make it right.