Kal Tire

Let’s put it this way. Do your own research if you need to learn about a specific auto related issue. Don’t trust them to tell you the truth. They’re smooth with the sales pitches, oops, I mean cons.

I called Kal tire inquiring about the price of calipers for my Dodge caravan. The reason was I had my brakes done at Active Green and Ross at the 186 The Queensway location. 7 months later my brakes sounded like they were grinding already. I took it back to Active Green and Ross and was told my calipers needed to be replaced. But I didn’t trust them (see my full review on Active)
A lady answered the phone and told me to bring my van in to see if I really needed new calipers.
I brought the van in and they checked my calipers and brake pads. She told me my calipers were fine. The problem was the cheap brake pads. They were supposed to be high quality which was not. I didn’t need need new calipers like I was told. All I needed was new pads. Which I got them to replace for 240 $ plus hst.
I also brought my other vehicle in to see what was wrong because the steering wheel was shaking. They told me what was all wrong with my car. And how much everything would cost. There was a lot of things wrong. But they never pushed me into doing the repairs. Which was different than other mechanic shops. It was nice to feel like they weren’t all about getting your money but to work with you to see what was important to fix first and what can wait. She told me to think about it and call to make an appointment when I decide what to do.
What I really like about Kal tire at this location is they are really friendly and they do little things like top of your oil, clean your tires and even saw my headlights where sunk in in and they popped it back out at no charge.
I been jumping from mechanic to mechanic for some time now. Looking for one I can trust. Now I have one I will taking my business too. A place I feel I won’t be taken advantage off. Great Job KAL TIRE!

Took my car in for a minor repair that was a super quick fix. Jennifer had me in and out of there in minutes! And since it was minor, I was pleasantly surprised when she offered me a huge smile and said «no charge»! Being that I’ve never had work done there before at all, I drove away knowing that I would experience their fast and friendly service and that they would gain my paid business in the future! Thanks Jennifer… It’s this kind of business conduct that gains loyal patrons!

Is everybody writing negative reviews reviewing the same Kal Tire??? Because I’m shocked! Google has 4.5÷5 for these guys. More importantly, we have been there 4 times and received helpful advice, courteous service, and yummy free coffee /​popcorn. They even tried to save us a bunch of money by recommending All Weather tires over winter tires so we didn’t have to buy summer and winter tires.
I just went in again this morning and spoke to Jennifer who was, as always, helpful, quick, and funny.
Nothing but good things to say about them.

On Nov 27 2012 I went to Kal Tire at 2288 Dundas St W in Toronto On for oil/​lube/​filter service.
Everything seemed fine when I picked up my 2007 Hyundai Fe and paid my bill.
When driving home, once the car had warmed up, my oil pressure warning light came on whenever I came to a stop or idilling. I thought this was strange but thought maybe it had to do with new oil fill & would go away.
The car was parked for a couple of days and when I went to use it again on the 29^th the same thing occured.
I called Kal Tire the next day to inform them of the problem and they didn’t seem very concerned but said to bring it by & they would have a look. I asked them if they thought it wise for me to drive the vehicle given the oil pressure light kept coming on & damage could be done to the engine but he (Robert) didn’t think it would be a problem.
When I arrived on Dec 1 2012 I mentioned to Robert — after having done some research on the net regarding other peoples experience with similar situations — that maybe it had something to do with the oil filter that was used. I’m thinking he just ignored me as I think all they did was hook it up to the computer to read the warning codes or something like that — I am not a mechanic or I would have done the oil change myself.
So while waiting for my vehicle a mechanic that works there came out to talk to me about the fact that they couldn’t find any problems anywhere.
When I told him about my internet research and the possibility that maybe it was something to do with the oil filter used he launched into a story about his old van that had a lot of warning lights going off regularly which ended up being an electrical problem and there would be no problem driving the vehicle.
All I knew was I didn’t have the problem before the oil change — nor have I ever in all the time I have owned the car — seen the oil pressure light come on and stay on once the car is started.
So I brought the car into Toronto Hyundai as soon as I could on Monday Dec 3^rd and explained the situation. They opened the oil filter compartment and quickly realized that whoever changed the filter neglected to put back a part that sits on top of the filter that regulates the oil pressure (only a $ 15 part without which the damage & cost of driving without is potentially huge).
Unfortunately they did not have the part in stock as it is not a part that generally needs replacing so they ordered it & today they were sent the wrong part so now I am looking at hopefully having my car back tomorrow Wednesday Dec 5 2012.
What has yet to be determined is the damage to my engine as a result of driving the vehicle with this warning light on.
So far my Kal Tire oil change has thus far cost me the original $ 56.44 paid to Kal Tire, aprox $ 125 diagnostic charge from Toronto Hyundai the $ 15 part, labour + taxes — total to be determined.
I had to cancel a $ 350 carpet cleaning job that needed to get done by today so they went with another service.
I still don’t know if I will need a new engine as a result of the Kal Tire mechanics negligence.
They have since given me a complimentary oil change (which I question whether it was actually done), but I am still out the $ 167.50 paid to Downtown Hyundia to fix there mistake.
*Hoping to use the amount I was out as a credit towards work THEY had advised on my original visit I was surprised to be told that the problem THEY had advised HAD MIRACULOUSLY DISAPPEARED… right.

Called them on Saturday 8:45AM in January because one of my winter tires is damaged and I need to replace it. Was put on hold for 1 hour. I gave up and called back. Stephano answered and claimed my line was cutting out and hung up on me. Called again. I reached the «office» and that person heard me just fine. Thanks Stephano. It was your phone, not mine. Office guy said I had to talk to Stephano. I told him I was already waiting over an hour to talk to him. Guess what. I was put on hold again.
If you really need help, go somewhere else. Apparently when Stephano is busy he’s rude and unhelpful. Thanks a lot. I’m replacing 2 tires. Somewhere else.

I came in asking about tread warranty coverage from the manufacturer, and the guy had no idea how to process my request. He refused to call the manufacturer to find out how much of a rebate I would get on a new set of tires. If he’s got no time for me, then I am never coming back!

Brutal. Our regular mechanic recommended new tires, but they only had 50k on them so I contacted Michelin regarding tread warranty. They said I needed the tires assessed by a Michelin dealer (Kal Tire or Green+Ross were the closest to me) so I called Kal Tire (formerly Firestone) on Dundas West. They didn’t anything know anything about being a Michelin warranty dealer, and in fact told me that Michelin tires don’t have a warranty.
So I called the Green+Ross up the road. Went in next day, they assessed the tires and then advocated for me to Michelin and I got new tires for free. Who do you think I will use for tires and service in the future? Not Kal Tire… that’s for sure!

I went here to get information about winter tires. Stefan was friendly and knowledgeable and printed out three invoices with options for my car. I opted for the middle-​priced recommendation and left feeling satisfied. If you purchase steel wheels from them, you don’t have to pay to have the tires switched on or off. Great deal.
Before I left I told him I needed the tires ASAP because I was going on a trip in less than a week (that trip is tomorrow). He said they would be there 2 – 3 business days later — but guess what, no one bothered to call to tell me they were in. I called just now to ask whether they were and, what do you know, they are. It’s a good thing they can fit me in first thing tomorrow morning, otherwise I’d be mad as hell! I can’t help but be disappointed that the great customer service I had here took a major dip when I walked out the door.

They actually changed their name to Kal Tire. Not as sure about this one, as I was about the Firestone Tire and Auto — We had brakes redone a year ago and they’re saying we need them redone again — we only drive about 5 km a day, can’t see how we’d need new brakes already?!
***OLD REVIEW***
My husband and I both take our cars here, as does my friend and my uncle. These guys are honest, they have connections/​recommendations to other honest auto repair shops (if they don’t have the ability to fix what is broken. (ie. car alarm malfunction)). I recommend these guys to my friends, reasonable price — quick service and they always explain what’s wrong and what it takes to fix it.