For the purposes of this directive deep burial is defined as having a minimum of 2 metres of cover that will not be disturbed.

Never drive for any extended period with worn or broken wheel bearings. Here are some indicators that they need to be replaced.

Uneven tire wear can be a sign of other problems (a wheel alignment may be needed, for example), so it’s best to get a professional to check it out.

Soil is a high-risk pathway for the movement and introduction of pests. The position paper on soil movement signed on April 24, 2003 by the three member countries of North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO) describes the risks and complexities associated with soil and associated pests:

This directive specifies the phytosanitary requirements for the import and domestic movement of soil and soil-related matter. It includes requirements for soil and soil-related matter, and for items contaminated with soil and soil-related matter, such as logs/lumber, vehicles, equipment, tools and containers.

Soil originating from Prince Edward Island (PEI), Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) and all areas outside the continental United States (U.S.):

4. You experience wheel wobble. A worn wheel bearing loose inside the hub will cause the vehicle’s steering wheel to feel different. In particular, your car’s steering may feel “loose” and not very responsive.

How does your company manage liquids combined with soil? All liquids contacting the soil must be captured and treated as is soil (e.g., autoclaved) or sent to a drain where water enters a municipal system (with no storm overflow) for treatment.

Wheel bearings connect your car’s wheels to axles. They’re steel rings with small, lubricated steel balls inside them that allow the wheels to spin at high speeds with minimal friction. Although rare, faulty bearings can cause an entire wheel to fall off your car while you’re driving.

Everyone handling the soil must be aware of the required procedures. List all the people responsible for handling the soil and have them sign the following statement indicating they have read and understand the requirements for handling regulated soil as stated in the operating procedures.

3. The steering wheel vibrates. Worn-out wheel bearings will cause your steering wheel to vibrate. It’ll begin at slow speeds and get worse as you accelerate. If this occurs, get your steering and suspension checked by a mechanic to determine the nature of the problem.

5. The vehicle pulls when you brake. Another symptom of a worn wheel bearing is if the car pulls to one side when you apply the brakes. This can also indicate seized brake calipers or collapsed brake hoses, so it’s best to get a brake inspection at a trusted auto centre.

Precautions must be taken to ensure that regulated soil does not leave the premises. Procedures must be in place to prevent cross-contamination of non-regulated soil with regulated soil, to ensure that contaminated equipment and any accidental spills are properly dealt with using CFIA-approved methods, and to identify where spill kits are located. Describe your facility's processing and handling procedures including the location and staff operating instructions for use of spill kits.

2. You hear strange noises. Loud grinding or roaring sounds from the wheels are another sign of wheel bearing problems. If a bearing loses its lubrication, the metal inside grinds against the metal, producing an awful noise. See a mechanic if you hear these types of sounds.

A record of all regulated soil received by the facilty and their disposition must be kept by the facility. A record of the location of any soil in the facility as well its disposition must be readily available at all times. Describe the method by which soil importations are recorded, as well as the system used for tracking the location of the soil, its treatment and its disposal.

The importation of items contaminated with soil and soil-related matter from all countries is prohibited. Inspection of items that could be contaminated with soil should be conducted at the first point of entry (seaport, airport or land border) to ensure that items are free of soil and soil-related matter. Some exceptions may apply for plants for planting (see directive D-08-04), potatoes (see directive D-96-05) and root crops (see directive D-94-26).

A large number of pests of quarantine concern can be transported in soil. The list of plant pest regulated by Canada is available on the CFIA's website.

This directive contains the plant protection requirements for soil and soil-related matter, and for items contaminated with soil and soil-related matter, excluding plants and plant parts.

All soil must be sent in sturdy leak-proof containers to ensure proper containment while in transit. Describe how your shipping procedure will accomplish this.

Learning when your wheel bearings need to be replaced can help you prevent dangerous driving situations and keep your car safely running.

The number and complexity of organisms in soil render assurances of freedom from pests of concern virtually impossible. As a result, strict phytosanitary measures in relation to soil are necessary in order to limit the risks of introduction and spread of significant soil-borne quarantine pests into Canada. Such measures are also required for soil-related matter which, by its nature, is indistinguishable from soil or highly likely to be contaminated with soil.

The following are examples of types of commodities that are not considered soil and soil-related matter and, when free from soil and soil-related matter, are not subject to the import or movement requirements listed within this directive. They may, however, be subject to import and movement requirements listed in other policy directives.

The importation of soil and soil-related matter from all countries is prohibited, except when imported under Section 43 of the Plant Protection Regulations for scientific research, education, processing, industrial or exhibition purposes (see Appendix 2).

The CFIA and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) charge fees in accordance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Fees Notice. For information regarding fees associated with imported products, please contact the CFIA's National Import Service Centre. For any other information regarding fees, please contact any local CFIA office or visit our Fees Notice website.

Soil originating from Prince Edward Island (PEI), Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) and all areas outside the continental United States (U.S.):

All regulated soil must be stored in a manner which ensures that it is easily identified as such and is not mixed with any non-regulated domestic soil which may be present (if the two are mixed, all of the material would then be considered as regulated and have to be disposed of accordingly). Labels should be used which clearly identify any regulated soil and can be easily cross-referenced to the company records mentioned above. The containers should be leak-proof and be organized and labeled to separate regulated material from non-regulated material. Describe how your company will meet these requirements. Specify if your company will retain soil samples and, if so, for how long.

Wheel bearings last a long time. Their average lifespan is between 130,000 and 160,000 kilometres. How and where you drive and the quality of the bearing itself will determine the longevity of the component.

The following staff have read and understand the requirements for handling regulated soil as specified in the operating procedures:

1. There’s unusual tire wear. Abnormal tire wear may mean you have a problem with your wheel bearings. If you see unusual tread wear on your left tire, you may have a faulty left wheel bearing. Keep in mind, you can’t replace just one wheel bearing. If the left side goes, you need to replace the right side, too.

Commodities covered under this directive may also require approval and/or a Permit to Import under the Health of Animals Act and/or the Fertilizers Act. For information regarding requirements for products under the Health of Animals Act contact the Animal Health Directorate, Import/Export Section. For information regarding requirements for products under the Fertilizers Act, contact the Plant Health and Biosecurity Directorate of the CFIA.

Provide a general description of your company as it relates to the handling of regulated soil including the origin(s) of the soil, quantities and purpose of importation, and list most recent soil Permit to Import number(s).

At Minit-Tune & Brake Auto Centres, we offer bumper-to-bumper repairs and maintenance inspections. Our technicians use only quality parts to ensure your car runs as efficiently as possible. Contact us at one of our many convenient locations across British Columbia and Calgary, or schedule an appointment online.

After treatment, regulated soil must be double-bagged and sent to a municipal landfill for disposal. (For PEI and NL: The one exception is if the regulated soil is returned to the same field that it came from.)

A Movement Certificate issued by the CFIA is required to transport soil and soil-related matter, plants with soil and items contaminated with soil and soil-related matter from a regulated area of Canada to non-regulated areas. The appropriate condition(s) must be stated on the Movement Certificate.

In case of non-compliance with the above requirements, the regulated commodity in question will be refused entry into Canada, ordered removed from Canada or may be disposed of. The person in care or control of the commodity is responsible for any and all costs related to quarantine, destruction, treatment, disposal, disinfection or removal, including any costs incurred by CFIA or CBSA to monitor the action taken. A Notification of Non-Compliance will be issued in accordance to D-01-06: Canadian Phytosanitary Policy for the Notification of Non-Compliance and Emergency Action.

Here at Minit-Tune & Brake Auto Centres in British Columbia, we’re always pleased to help our customers get the most out of their cars and trucks. To that end, we’ll add a relevant blog topic from time to time to keep you up to date and getting the most out of your vehicle.

Is your company affiliated with any other soil labs? Will there be any domestic movement of soil to other approved facilities? Movement of regulated soil outside the facility is not permissible without written approval from CFIA. Describe your facility's domestic movement of imported soil, if applicable.

After heat-treatment, regulated soil must be double-bagged and sent to a municipal landfill for disposal. (For PEI and NL: The one exception is if the regulated soil is returned to the same field that it came from.)

For the purposes of this directive deep burial is defined as having a minimum of 2 metres of cover that will not be disturbed.