Is Tire Rotation Necessary?

Some car drivers may not think about the condition of their tires until all of a sudden they have a flat on the side of the road, waiting for an emergency tire repair. Neglecting the tires on your car could be putting yourself and your passengers at risk. Thousands of auto accidents each year are caused by tire failure due to uneven tread wear. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration problems a statement several years ago encouraging tire rotation as a component of regular vehicle maintenance.

Here is a simple explanation for newer drivers—rotating tires simply means moving them to a different position so that the tread wears in an even pattern on all four tires.  For example, the front tires will be moved to the rear of the vehicle and the rear tires moved to the front.  

Is tire rotation necessary? It is definitely vital if you want your tires to last as long as possible.  Certain components of a tire come into contact with the road more heavily than others, receiving more stress, and wearing down faster. Rotating your tires equalizes the wear the tires receive so that you don’t have to purchase new tires as often. Front tires receive more stress than the back ones, so rotating the front ones to the back allows all four tires to wear at an even rate.

These are some of the issues you will face if you neglect to rotate your tires:

• Uneven tread wear. The front tires may wear faster than the rear ones, or there is an irregular wear pattern on one or more of the tires. 
• Vibration.  Excessive vibrations caused by uneven tread wear patterns can compromise the handling safety of your vehicle.
• Flat tires.  Too much pressure on tires causes them to lose air even faster. 
• Warranty invalid.  Tire rotations at specified mileage intervals (often free) help keep the manufacturer’s guarantee valid.

Is tire rotation necessary, you wonder?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care for more information about tire repair services and to request an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

How Often Do You Need to Change Your Tires?

Buying new tires is a big investment in your car.  A whole set of tires normally includes four matching tires and a spare.  If you are like many people, it may be hard to come up with that much money very often.  So a question often asked by car owners is, “How often do you need to change your tires?”  

It is a common practice for tire manufacturers to list the specific lifespan of a tire, which is normally about 25,000 to 50,000 miles.  However, the number of miles driven every year plus the quality of the tires are two factors in determining how many miles your tires will actually last.  

Here are several easy and inexpensive tips that will help you take care of your tires:    

• Visual Checkup – Look for excessive tread wear, nicks in the rubber, or nails or punctures.  
• Inspect Inflation Pressure – The right inflation pressure ensures optimal contact with the road, improves fuel economy, and helps the tread wear more evenly.  Icy temperatures cause air pressure to fluctuate more speedily so inspect the air pressure frequently as winter approaches.
• Load Index – This is the amount of weight your tires are designed to withstand.  Overcapacity can lead to overheating and damage to your tires.  Consult your owner’s manual for the right size of tire for your vehicle.  
• Rotating Tires – Moving tires around to a different position on your car protects against uneven tread wear.  Have your tires rotated about every 6 months or 6,000 to 8,000 miles?  
• Car Alignment – Alignment refers to an adjustment of the car’s suspension so that the angles of the tires affect how they make contact with the road.  
• Tire Balancing – Keep your tires in balance for smooth rolling of the tire. 

Compared to the cost of new tires, inspecting your tires on a regular basis is relatively inexpensive and will help prevent emergency tire repairs that could leave you stranded on the side of the road.  The time and frustration you may experience are not worth trying to save a few dollars.

Are you worried about how often do you need to change your tires?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care for more information about needed tire repair service and to request an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

How Many Miles do Tires Last?

Well, the time has time to buy a new set of tires.  You have exhausted the sensibility of tire repair on your old tires.  Though, shopping for tires is generally not what most people want to do on their Saturday afternoon.  Because of the many different brands and types of tires, it can be a confusing and time-consuming chore, as well as costly!

Don’t buy the cheapest tire you find.  If you are wondering how many miles do tires last, make sure you read the specifications of every tire before making a decision.  The purpose of the tire, how many miles you drive, and the condition of the roads you usually use, are all factors to consider when looking at tires.  Temperature changes, sun exposure, storage conditions are also factors that impact the life of your tires.

However, tire manufacturers do publish guarantee guidelines for their tires, including replace the tire every 6 years at least, as warranties expire at 6 years.

Here are some guidelines to help extend the life of your tires and prevent an urgent tire repair:

• Inspect tire inflation pressure every 3,000 miles. This will also help with how your vehicle handles on the road, acceleration and deceleration and fuel economy.
• Rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles for even treadwear.
• Inspect the wheel alignment and have it adjusted as needed.
• Inspect for irregularities in treadwear.
• Inspect for cuts or tears in the rubber and sidewalls.
• Don’t exceed the maximum load capacity as it adds excessive pressure on tires.

If you are starting to notice vibrations or other steering issues while driving, slow down and drive with caution until you can either safely pull off the road or make it to a close-by tire repair shop. 

Have questions about how many miles do tires last? Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about our tire repair services and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and surrounding area.

When Should You Get New Tires For Your Car?

There are a few signs that are indicators as to when you should get new tires for your car, such as:

• Uneven tread wear. This means the front tires may wear faster than the rear ones, or there is an irregular wear pattern on one of the front tires.
• Unusual vibrations.  At speeds of 45 mph and upper, you may feel a vibration due to uneven tread wear. Your Vehicle tires may want to be rotated, balanced, or the wheels aligned.
• Loss of air pressure.  If a tire is losing air faster than any of the others, it may have too much pressure put on it. The tires may want to be rotated, or a tire could want a repair for a small puncture.

Do you really want to have regular tire rotations?  Are you noticing uneven tread wear in many places on your tires?  Inexperienced drivers may not realize exactly what rotating tires even means.  Simply stated, a tire rotation service is moving the tires around to a different position on the vehicle so that the tread wears in an even pattern on all four tires.  For example, the front tires will be moved to the rear of the car and the rear tires to the front. 

Remember:  Most tire repair technicians recommend that tires be rotated about every 6,000 to 8,000 miles, or about every other oil change.  Remember that regular tire service is one of the most critical and important aspects of maintaining a safe vehicle.

Have questions about when should you get new tires for your car?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about tire rotations and other tire services and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.

Are you wondering when should you replace tires?

There are a few signs that are indicators as to when you should replace tires.  There are some factors that determine the lifetime of a tire.

• Design of the tire, 
• Driving habits, 
• Climate, 
• Road conditions, and 
• Maintenance, such as periodic tire rotation.

As the miles add up on your tires, keep these tips in mind:

1. Note 5 Years - After five years or so, make sure to have your tires thoroughly checked at least once a year by a tire repair technician.
2. Maximum of 10 years - As a precaution, replace your tires after 10 years even if they appear to be in usable condition and have not worn down to the tread wear indicator. 
3. Proper care - You can increase the lifetime of your tires by maintaining the correct air pressure, periodic tire rotation, and regular inspections for tread wear and damaged areas.

If you are starting to notice vibrations or other issues while driving, slow down and drive with caution until you can safely pull off the road.  If a tire is damaged, replace it with your spare and then drive to the nearest tire repair shop for a thorough inspection. Has your whole vehicle checked if you can’t identify the source of the vibration?  It could be an axle going bad.

Remember:  Tire maintenance is one of the most critical and important aspects for maintaining a safe vehicle.

Have questions about how when should you replace tires?  Call our ASE Certified technicians at Expert Car Care today for more information about tire rotation and other tire services and to make an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves residents in the community of West Allis, WI, and the surrounding area.