Tag Archives: Automotive

Do I need tires on my car?

Do I need tires on my car?

Do you know tire lingo? Tires are a big investment and a crucial safety feature of the vehicle. When a shop is describing the condition of your tires there are a few words that they will use and knowing the meaning will help you make the decision  of when its right for you to make that investment. Cords Showing- This a  reinforcing material in the tire typically made up of steel used to keep the shape of the tire, once you have worn down to the point of cords showing the tread is gone and the tire is no longer safe to drive on. Bald- Tires are made up of multiple layers. A bald tire has worn through the tread and no longer has the traction required for stopping Cupping is a wear pattern indicating high and low spots in the tread. Most commonly caused by a suspension issues, you will notice extra tire noise, shaking or vibrating. Edge wear- it can be inner or outer edge wear, the tire is wearing unevenly  and leaning on the inner or outer side causing  can be cau ... read more

Trailer Tires

Trailer Tires

How long do trailer tires last? 20 years ago tires lasted much longer than they do today. I remember my parent’s boat trailer and travel trailer tires lasting 10 years or more with no issues at all. Today that is not the case; as a general rule of thumb trailer tires will start to separate and fail after they are roughly four years old. Sure if you keep them out of the sun you may get up to six years out of them. The sad thing about trailer tires is that when they fail they often do serious damage to the trailer fender and anything else in the area. They don’t just go flat, you will generally hear a loud pop or bang as they become completely shredded causing damage to anything the shredded mass comes in contact with. So read the date DOT date code that is branded into the tire on one side or the other. The DOT information is Alfa numeric production information followed by a four digit numeric date branded into the tire. The first two digits indicate the week of the year fo ... read more

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5 Fall Maintenance Tips for your Vehicle

5 Fall Maintenance Tips for your Vehicle

Fall is officially here, while winter is just around the corner. Seasonal changes can affect your vehicle. It’s important to prepare by performing essential maintenance tasks to ensure longevity. Checking your vehicle’s critical components can help you identify potential issues before they become actual issues. Below are five key car care tips to keep your vehicle in top shape throughout the winter. Inspect the brake pads.  It’s no surprise that your brakes are important; without them, your vehicle lacks control to stop or slow down. Your brakes should be a priority on your to-do list because just a little maintenance can increase their lifespan. If the brake pads have less than 4mm of material remaining, it’s time to have them replaced, and any less than that is a safety hazard. If the brakes are overdue, you may even notice a spongy brake pedal or a distracting scr ... read more

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