Equipment

Information on specific vehicle equipment.

Is the Practice of "Stretching" Tires Dangerous?

a car tire with blocky tread mounted on a spoked wheelYes, stretching tires can be dangerous. Automotive professionals and tire manufacturers highly discourage this practice. Tire stretching involves mounting a tire onto a wheel rim that is wider or narrower than the manufacturer's approved rim-width range.

Is Nitrous Oxide (NOS) Legal in BC Vehicles? (2025 Update)

NOS Nitrous Oxide Systems LogoQuestion: Is it legal to have a nitrous oxide system hooked up to a vehicle in British Columbia? If the bottle is detached from the system, is it legal? Does a DOT/WHMIS oxidizer symbol grant any right to transport it?

Can You Drive Your Jeep Without Doors in BC? The Legal Reality

BC Courts Coat of ArmsA BC Provincial Court case, R. v. Dolson (2014), officially put the spotlight on whether aftermarket "Adventure Doors" are legal on BC highways. Here is what you need to know before you strip down your rig.

What Are Off Road Lights?

image of example of off road lightsThere is little doubt in my mind that one of the most popular add on accessories for vehicles is some type of light. While it is possible that some of these lamps are legal for use on the highway, many are not. The question is, how do you tell which are off road lights and which are not?

Headlights 101

HID HeadlightsLong winter nights mean we spend more time driving while using our headlights. All headlights are not created equal according to the IIHS, so some vehicles are safer to drive at night than others.

Winter Tires on RV Trailers

Q&A ImageQuestion: I would like to know about the requirement for winter tires on recreational trailers from October 1 to March 31 on B.C. highways. As far as I'm aware, I'm required to have snowflake / M+S tires in winter on my travel trailer, but such tires are not made. Can you please advise me on this situation?

Docking and Backup Lights

Backup LightsAs is often the case, today's article comes from what I see around me as I drive. I was passed by a cube van with one white floodlight on the right rear illuminated. The driver of a truck tractor with no trailer pulled in front of him using the right lane and flashed his docking and backup lights a few times. The offending driver didn't get the hint and his backup floodlight remained on.

Are Your Tires Worn Out?

image typical of bald tiresPlace two average adult feet side by side on a piece of paper and draw a box around their edges. The area of this box is about the same as the area of your tires in contact with the road on an average automobile. Tires are your only contact with the highway, and collisions result when that contact is lost.

Refer to Your Owners Manual

image of a car owners manualOne of the loneliest books in the world might just be your vehicle's owners manual. Consigned to the glove box, many never see the light of day until they find a new home in the recycle bin. That's a shame because the manufacturer of your vehicle has put a lot of thought and important safety information on those pages.