Tires. Of all the most common problems with cars, tires are often the most overlooked. But, if your car doesn’t drive smoothly, wobbles, or makes curious noises at top speeds, it could be because of your tires. Your tires are where your car meets the road. They’re your car’s first and only touchpoint to the street. When they wear down, they can cause all kinds of wearing problems that can lead to more expensive repairs than simply replacing them would have been. Tires can be underinflated, overinflated, worn down, leaky, and more. While you don’t necessarily need to replace your tires to solve these common problems, there are plenty more scenarios when replacing your tires is the most cost-effective and safe thing you can do.
Here are a few helpful tips from Greeley auto repair and tire experts:
You may have heard of the ‘penny test,’ in which you insert an Abraham Lincoln penny into the tread groove of a worn tire. If the tread covers Lincoln’s head and you notice no adverse effects driving in snow, slush, or rain, you’re good to go. Mechanics test tires for remaining depth of tread grooves. When the remaining depth reaches 2/32 inches, it’s time for new tires.
You can do a penny test at home, obviously, but the main test you should pay attention to is how the car brakes and maneuvers on wet or slick roads.
Tire tread grooves are mainly for managing wet conditions on the road. The treads direct water, snow, and ice away from the tires and out from under them. Driving on dry roads with worn-down or even bald tires won’t give you much trouble, usually. Just look at the racing slicks stock cars use in races.
If your tread is getting low, you might not notice a difference until you have to brake suddenly or you’re driving in wet or icy conditions. About nine percent of all collisions in the US are tire-related, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
That depends on the car and what you use it for. To help determine that, let’s run down a few tire terminology basics:
All tires have a speed rating, as denoted by the letters S (112mph) through Y (186mph). This is the tire’s maximum speed when carrying a load. Higher speeds require better grip. Aside from the speed rating, tires also come in different sizes, which are written like this: 215/60R16. The 215 in this example is the cross-section width, which is the widest distance from one sidewall to the other. The 60R is the ratio of sidewall height to tire width, and the 16 is the size of the wheel in inches. Most cars list recommended tire size and specifications in their owner’s manuals.
As for tire type, if you’re driving on rough roads often or carrying around large payloads, it’s a good investment to get a quality type of tire, or even a specialty tire that can help you in adverse conditions. Analyze how you use your car and how many miles it’s been since your last tire change to determine which kind of tires you need.
Looking for a trusted tire and mechanic shop in Greeley? Call us today.
Another Northern Colorado Winter is rapidly approaching and you know what that means: the necessity of a winter auto repair may creep up on you when you’re least expecting it! Extreme drops in temperature, subzero wind chill, snow and ice are just some of the challenges we as Colorado drivers face during the upcoming season and your vehicle takes the brunt of it all. If you’re due for routine maintenance or repair, it’s imperative that those items be completed before the weather gets worse as Front Range weather conditions and drastic weather changes can cause that small issue in your car to rapidly magnify into a much bigger issue. It’s also a good idea to complete a simple self-prep to your vehicle to ensure it’s in tip-top condition all winter long. Check out these auto service tips from the experts at Autotailor.
Check your tires for thread depth and air pressure. Overtime your tires become worn out and the thread depth becomes uneven. It’s important to check the depth to make sure your tire can keep traction and avoid slips on wet and icy roads. Air pressure is just as important! When the temperature drops by 10 degrees your tires drop a pound of air. Check your tires and spare tires when the temperature changes drastically. Need or replace the tires on your car, truck or van? Autotailor provides a complete line of brand name tires all competitively priced. Call us today to schedule your winter auto repair tire service appointment!
A battery tends to last up to 3 years. If you’re nearing that life cycle you should bring your car to our auto repair center in Greeley, CO to ensure it’s fully charged. If the battery isn’t fully charged it can freeze and die when the temperature drops. One of our certified Greeley Autotailor technicians can check if you need to recharge or buy a new battery.
You should regularly bring your vehicle in for routine auto repair services and an oil changes. However, if you haven’t kept up with it, the time to change it is now! The oil is what keeps your car running smoothly and efficiently! When first placed in your car it’s thin and a light honey color. Overtime the oil becomes contaminated, which causes it to thicken and become sticky. This makes the engine in your car work harder, and may lead to expensive auto service repairs.
When you have to get up early on cold mornings you want make sure you’re at least warm in the car. Now is the time to make sure that the air system is working properly and that your filters are changed. Not sure what to look for or think your car may be having issues? Give us a call or contact us online today! Autotailor in Greeley, CO can help!
Cold and snowy weather can bring foggy, freezing visibility to your drive. Check and replace your bulbs and headlights at our Greeley auto service center. We even provide headlight restoration services to ensure you have clear sight of the road.
Summer is coming, the kids will be out of school, the sun will be out, and it’ll be time for a vacation. Whether you’re planning a long trip or simply need to keep your car running for one more summer, there is going to be a risk of the engine overheating. In addition, long trips with heavy loads can quickly use up gas, so it’s best to play it safe this summer.
Here are a few summer driving tips to get you started.
Of main concern when driving in the summer is the risk of the engine overheating since that can very quickly ruin your car. Preventing this begins with an automotive checkup. Mainly, you’ll want to look at:
The majority of car breakdowns can be prevented with proper vehicle maintenance, so making sure your car gets the service it needs prior to heading out on vacation is an absolute must.
On trips where you’re carrying a heavy load (such as a trailer for a camping excursion), you’re putting a lot of strain on your car. Slowing down a little will help keep your engine from overheating from the sheer power it takes to haul that much weight around, often against the wind or uphill. In addition, you’ll not only keep your engine from overheating, but you’ll also save on gas.
The temperature gauge is there for a reason. If you notice the indicator starting to rise, there are a few things you can do to prevent a disaster. These include:
Keeping an eye on the temperature gauge will help ensure you get to your destination safely without the need for repairs.
Finally, before you get out on the road this summer, pack a few items in the trunk, such as:
Another thing that probably goes without saying is to keep your cell phone handy while driving. Just don’t use it until you pull over.
With the right precautions, you can make sure your car makes it through the summer without a hitch. If it does break down, packing a few emergency items will at least ensure you get the help you need while keeping everyone safe.
If you find yourself in need of auto repair services in Greeley, we would love to hear from you.
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