SUMMERSIDE - Since 1977, Johnston's Tire & Automotive has been a 100% Island-owned company that has continuously expanded its services for its ever-growing customer demand. Today the company provides complete service facilities for passenger cars, light trucks, motor homes, buses, and large trucks.

Service Manager Robert Gallant has seven licensed heavy duty mechanics on staff, and can arrange what you need, from top end tune-ups, complete overhauls on most engines, right down to bearing rollins, transmissions, clutches, and regular service maintenance, along with our trained engine specialist Donnie Lewis taking care of your electronic engine diagnostics needs. Motor rebuild services include flywheel grinding, head planing, cylinder boring, and 3-angle valve seat grinding on a cylinder-head machine, valve cutting, and installation of valve guides. Clients can even get their engine block washed!

Johnston's is an authorized heavy truck inspection station for clients who just want to ensure ongoing reliability, and also provides complete automobile service including brakes, front end, motor vehicle inspections, and tune-ups.

The company also has the most extensive springs shop on the island, carrying a large supply of leaf, main, and spring supplies. P.E.I.'s only on-site forge allows Johnston's technicians to build from scratch, re-arch springs, or bend almost any type of U-bolt. Johnston's can also complete any king pin replacement, shocks, spring hangers, beam bushings, and alignments as needed after repairs.

If frame or other welding is needed, welder Rick Stone will ensure your steel, aluminum, or stainless steel repair functions as good as new.

Factory-trained air conditioning technicians offer service on cars, trucks, tractor-trailers, and motorhomes. Radiator specialist Trevor MacKinnon will help customers keep their cool with anything from a fluid top-off to a pump replacement. Johnston's stocks Auto Kool brand radiators for top performance, including Air-to-Air radiators which enhance a vehicle's overall performance and save money on mileage.

Large Vehicle Alignment Service

The Hunter 811T Alignment System is Johnston's newest service for heavy trucks, buses, and recreational vehicles. The system uses computerized, Windows-based, WinAlign HD Software to simplify heavy-duty alignment.

"Tires are pretty expensive for these rigs," says alignment expert Barry Bowness.

"Alignment should be checked at least once a year. It doesn't take very long and preventative measures really pay off," he explains, nothing that air-ride equipped trailers that are off alignment can cause the tractor to steer to one side and prematurely wear tread as well as affecting other vehicle components.

The alignment system supports more than 50 heavy-duty axle configurations, including dozens of truck/trailer, bus and dolly manufacturer configurations. It employs a complete specifications database from major manufacturers for accurate service to 600 inches.

Farm Service and Roadside Assistance

From its beginnings, Johnston's has been committed to serving the farming community. Today, the company has the largest, complete farm service tire facility with Michelin, Goodyear, Bridgestone, Firestone, BFGoodrich, and Uniroyal brands for farm vehicles, trucks and passenger vehicles, as well as tires for lawn mowers, golf carts, and wheelbarrows! If you need a tube, Johnston's can do that too! Certified tire technicians perform regular or after-hour services in the shop, in the field, or on the roadside. If what you need isn't in stock, Scotty MacKendrick or Gordie Wright will be glad to bring it in just for you!

Roadside service is available 24/7 as well. The after-hours mechanic is cellular-phone equipped to provide fast service, and Johnston's offers towing service for cars, trucks, and motor homes when necessary. Parts Manager Bill Jenkins and his associate, Kenny MacQuarrie, make sure the parts department is fully-stocked to get customers quickly back on the road. Johnston's is a Freightliner parts/service/warranty sub-dealer and has direct connections to the Freightliner family of vehicles.

Manager Susan Williams is proud of the exceptional services that Johnston's employees provide and guarantees clients will be happy with their expertise. Regular shop hours are 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Friday, and 8:00 a.m. - noon on Saturdays.