Since February 13th, I’ve been attending the Canadian International AutoShow
daily, starting with media day. It’s been an incredible experience—checking out the latest vehicles, engaging with auto enthusiasts, and continuing my work in traffic safety.
More importantly, I’ve been spending my time assisting with the Toronto Police Service TrafficServices unit -hosting trivia, answering traffic safety questions, and engaging with the audience I’ve built as the TikTok Traffic Cop. It’s been amazing reconnecting with people who follow me online and seeing their enthusiasm for traffic safety in person.
But today, February 18th, I didn’t make it to the show.
Not because of bad weather. Not because of a scheduling conflict. But because of something much simpler—a bad tire.
A Wobble That Came and Went
Prior to the snowfall on February 12th and 13th, my vehicle had rolled smoothly, handling the snowy roads without issue. Everything felt normal—just another winter drive.
Then, I noticed a wobble.
It wasn’t dramatic, just enough to feel a little off. Since I’d been driving through deep snow, I figured ice had built up inside my wheel, throwing off the balance. A couple of friends suggested an easy fix—get a car wash. The warm water would melt any ice stuck inside the rim, resolving the issue.
That made sense. But before I could make it to the car wash, the problem vanished on its own. Maybe a change in temperature knocked the ice loose. Maybe a bump in the road did the trick. Either way, the wobble was gone, and I kept driving without a second thought.
Then, on February 15th and 16th, it snowed again.
The Wobble Returns—And This Time, It’s Worse
The wobble came back—and this time, it wasn’t subtle.
At low speeds, the shaking was almost violent. But in my mind, I convinced myself it was the same issue as before: ice and snow throwing off my wheel balance.
I was wrong.
This time, I decided to get out and take a look. But here’s the problem—you can’t check a tire properly while driving. You need someone else in the driver’s seat to move the vehicle while you observe. So, I arranged for some help and watched as the wheels turned.
It took just one full rotation to spot the problem.
The tire had deformed, and the sidewall visibly bulged as it moved. I figured the belt had shifted, something I’d seen before.
And that meant only one thing—it was no longer safe to drive.
Why an Auto Club Membership Is Worth Every Penny
At that moment, my plans for the day changed. Instead of heading to the auto show, I was dialing CAA.
And this is where I want to take a moment to talk about why having an auto club membership is one of the smartest investments you can make as a driver.
(Disclaimer: This Is NOT a Paid Promotion!)
Before anyone asks—this is NOT a sponsored post.
I just happen to be a CAA member and a Tire Butler customer, and I’ve had genuinely great experiences with both. Neither company is paying me to say nice things about them. But when something works, it’s worth sharing.
An auto club membership is a safety net every driver should have.
Whether you:
✅ Lock your keys in your car
✅ Have a dead battery
✅ Run out of gas
✅ Need a tire swap (like I did today)
Help is just a phone call away.
For a small annual fee, you have access to roadside assistance services that would otherwise cost you significantly more out of pocket.
Need a tow? No problem. CAA will take your vehicle to a repair shop without you having to haggle with a tow truck driver over payment.
And here’s the kicker—you can even get a Plus membership that covers motorcycles and longer towing distances.
I didn’t even know this before, but CAA’s Premier membership even includes a two-day rental car with a tow! That’s next-level peace of mind.
With the way the towing industry operates in Ontario, calling an independent tow truck can be an expensive and unpredictable experience. Tow rates vary, some operators demand cash payments on the spot, and in high-stress situations, negotiating a fair price is the last thing you want to do.
With an auto club membership, you never have to worry about that. You call, they come, and the service is covered.
If you don’t have a CAA Club Group Roadside Assistance membership, consider this your wake-up call to get one.👉Join CAA
A Surprisingly Fast Response
Given the snow and road conditions, I was prepared to wait hours for service.
But to my surprise, CAA arrived within 15 minutes.
The technician quickly swapped out my damaged tire for my full-size spare and loaded the bad one into my trunk.
Just like that, I was mobile again.
Enter Tire Butler
With the spare in place, the next step was replacing the bad tire. That’s where TireButler.com came in.
Tire Butler isn’t just a tire shop—they’re a mobile tire service.
🚗 Need your tires swapped? They come to you.
🚗 Need new tires? They bring them to your driveway.
🚗 Need tire storage? They handle that too.
🚗 Got a flat? They offer on-site tire repair.
🚗 Need detailing? They even offer interior cleaning services.
No waiting in line at a shop. No juggling schedules to fit in a service appointment. They handle everything at your home, your office, or wherever you are.
So, I gave them a call. They ordered my new tire, and tomorrow, they’ll install it and it can be done without me having to leave my driveway.
The Bigger Picture: Pay Attention to Your Vehicle
So, why am I telling you all this?
For one, it explains why I missed a day of the auto show.
But more importantly, it’s a reminder about vehicle safety.
I could have ignored the wobble, written it off as another case of snow and ice buildup, and kept driving.
And that could have ended very, very badly.
If that tire had suffered a blowout at highway speeds, the consequences could have been catastrophic—a major collision, serious injuries, or worse.
The lesson?
🚗 When something feels off, trust your instincts.
🚗 If your vehicle isn’t handling the way it should, investigate.
🚗 If you’re unsure, get a second opinion.
🚗 And if you can’t figure it out yourself, take it to a professional.
Ignoring a problem won’t make it go away. If anything, it makes things worse.
I’m not a huge fan of spending time at dealerships or repair shops, only to have them tell me about five other things I “need” to fix. But regular maintenance isn’t optional—it’s a responsibility.
If you choose to ignore potential issues, you’re making the conscious decision to drive an unsafe vehicle.
This experience was a wake-up call, and I hope sharing it serves as a reminder to check in with your car, your tires, and your safety.
Because in the end, a missed day at the auto show is nothing compared to a potentially life-threatening collision.
🚗 Have you ever ignored a minor issue with your vehicle, only to realize later that it was something serious? Let me know in the comments!
