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Employing 58,000 people, Canadian Tire and its Associate Dealers together form Canada’s most-shopped general merchandise retailer, with 482 stores from coast-to-coast. Canadian Tire offers customers a large selection of national and retail brands through three specialty categories in which the organization is the market leader – automotive parts, accessories and service; sports and leisure products; and home products. Also offered are automotive services such as engines fixes, brake changes, windshield wipers and fluid level checks, and muffler, hose, belt and plug replacements. Essentially, if a repair is needed, it’s up to Canadian Tire automotive service technicians to find a way to get it done. Before being employed by Canadian Tire, one must attend an automotive service technician apprenticeship.

At Centennial College, Ontario’s first community college, students can study at such an apprenticeship, which is partnered with Canadian Tire but yet designed to be product-generic and cover a broad-range of makes and models from the automotive industry. Therefore, it doesn’t limit one from working at other places of employment should they choose to.

Taking a year to complete, automotive service technician training with the Automotive Service Technician Canadian Tire MAP 32 program is more in-depth than the training one would obtain in a traditional apprenticeship. The in-school portion is conducted from Ashtonbee Campus, which is a fully-equipped transportation training centre. In fact, it is the biggest training centre of its sort in Ontario. For the in-school portion of the program, Canadian Tire supplies the tools and equipment with which you will be training. This makes it convenient to ensure that you are familiar with the tools of this particular company, as the hands-on part of the automotive service technician training takes place at a Canadian Tire dealer. Field placement gives students the opportunity to face real life scenarios, apply what they have learned, network and gain insight into the industry from seasoned professionals.  Read more...

The company Tire Technology has created a new tire heat blasting system which can be hired by classic car enthusiasts to improve their classic cars performance during track days. The technology is similar to that used by F1 racing; where tires are heated and kept warm as a means of increasing performance from the outset, with optimal tire temperature ensuring the car has maximum grip and handling ability.

The heat blast treatment is applied to the tires; scrubbing them so they reach a temperature similar to if they had been on the track for a handful of laps. As mentioned, such an approach is also used by professional drivers before racing events. The tires are treated for twenty five minutes, and then are left alone for three days so the rubber interlock together as the tire cools.

The new tire heating technology is said to have significant benefits for classic car enthusiasts whom take part in driving events and track days. The driver should notice an increase in performance from the tires, with greater handling and grip from the outset. The scrubbing could also prolong the life of the tires as they experience less wear and tear. Stuart Hepworth, the founder of the Black Frequency, says the new technology decent performing tires and turns them into outstanding tires.  Read more...

In this episode, Madeline learns how to change a flat tire. Be sure to follow all instructions and take every safety precaution that your owner’s manual recommends!