With British Columbia’s winter tire season beginning Oct. 1 on many designated highways, Crompton Brothers Automotive is encouraging Burnaby drivers to use the seasonal change as an opportunity to check their vehicle’s overall condition before colder temperatures and winter travel arrive.
The B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure states that winter tires are required on many rural highways and high mountain passes beginning Oct. 1. To meet the province’s definition of a winter tire, tires must carry either the M+S designation or the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol and have at least 3.5 millimetres of tread depth. The 3.5-millimetre minimum and approved markings are also specified in B.C.’s Motor Vehicle Act Regulations.
The Oct. 1 deadline also marks the start of the busy winter tire season for Canada’s automotive aftermarket. In a Sept. 14, 2026 article, the Automotive Industries Association of Canada highlighted the concentrated seasonal demand facing tire distributors and repair businesses as motorists prepare for winter driving.
For motorists, however, preparing for winter can involve more than installing appropriate tires. Brakes, batteries and charging systems, exterior lighting, windshield wipers, washer systems, fluids, heating and defrosting systems, and steering and suspension components can also be considered when assessing a vehicle before colder-weather driving.
AAA highlighted battery condition in guidance published Sept. 2, 2026. The organization said summer heat can damage a vehicle battery, while lower temperatures reduce its cranking power and increase the energy required to start an engine. AAA says conventional automotive batteries typically last three to five years, although weather, driving habits and other factors can affect their lifespan.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also advises drivers that tire inflation pressure falls as outside temperatures drop. NHTSA recommends inspecting tires at least monthly and before long road trips, including checking inflation pressure, tread, sidewalls and the spare tire.
For Riaz, owner of Crompton Brothers Automotive, identifying maintenance concerns during an inspection does not mean every item necessarily needs to be repaired at the same time.
“We’re not here to sell you,” Riaz said while discussing the shop’s approach to vehicle maintenance. “We’re here to service your vehicle. We’re here to tell you what your vehicle needs. You tell us what you would like us to repair.”
Riaz said the shop works with customers to prioritize repairs that require attention and identify work that can appropriately be deferred, particularly when customers are working within a budget.
Crompton Brothers also uses digital vehicle inspections to document vehicle condition and maintain inspection histories. Riaz summarized the approach simply: “What we see is what you see.”
Local conditions can influence vehicle maintenance as well. In discussing Burnaby vehicles, Riaz pointed to B.C.’s wet climate and said vehicles left sitting for extended periods can experience corrosion on braking components. He also noted that moisture in brake fluid can affect braking performance.
Burnaby motorists who primarily drive within Metro Vancouver may encounter different winter conditions from drivers travelling into B.C.’s Interior, North or higher elevations. The province’s winter tire rules are route-specific rather than province-wide, making it important for motorists to check requirements for their intended route before travelling.
Crompton Brothers Automotive was already an established Burnaby business when Riaz acquired it in 2003. He said the previous owners, the Crompton brothers, wanted the business to continue with the values of a family-run independent shop. Since taking over, Riaz has continued to invest in technician training, diagnostic technology and expanded automotive repair services as vehicle technology has changed.
Today, Crompton Brothers Automotive provides maintenance, diagnostics and repairs for European, Japanese and domestic vehicles, helping Burnaby motorists identify maintenance and repair priorities as seasonal driving conditions change.
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For more information about Crompton Brothers Automotive, contact the company here:
Crompton Brothers Automotive
Riaz Noorani
(604) 540 0304
info@cromptonbrothers.com
7797 Edmonds St
Burnaby BC, V3N 1B8