What to Know About Recycling and Reusing Tires

Old tires can be found everywhere. From the shredded remnants of highway blowouts to mountains of rubber created in landfills, old tires are frequently cast off and forgotten. But what are the other options for tires that are past their prime? You can choose to take them to a tire recycling facility if one is available near you or even create a useful DIY product. Read on to find out all you need to know!

Why Should You Recycle Your Tires?

In the US, over 300 million tires are disposed of every year. That is an alarming ratio of almost one per person. Disposing of tires in landfills causes an increase in rodents and mosquitoes which can spread diseases. Because tires are made of synthetic rubber, they are non-biodegradable. Scientists have estimated a tire can take up ...[more]

Used Car Pre-Purchase Checklist

If you’re considering buying a used car, your mind is probably whirling with all the possible unseen problems and damage you could be missing. Not to worry though! We’ve put together a quick checklist to help you ensure you don’t have any surprises pop up after the money has been spent.

Follow these quick guidelines the next time you’re out buying a used car:

Step 1 - Do Your Research!

The first step in buying any car is the research before you ever go look at the vehicle in person. If you have a type, make, or model of the vehicle you’re looking for, start there. You will want to look for common issues with the model you’re pursuing. Different types of vehicle ...[more]

Our Top Pre-Travel Tire Maintenance Tips

Road trips can be a lot of fun when they are properly planned. They are a great way to bond with your family and explore new places. We know that for most people, traveling safely and comfortably is of the highest priority. For your next road trip, don’t forget about one of the foremost safety concerns for your vehicle: its tires. The tires support the vehicle load, ensure responsive braking and maintain the direction of travel. To guarantee your vehicle’s tires are functioning adequately, they should be inspected by an experienced professional on a regular basis.

For optimum tire performance, tires must have accurate and proper:

Air pressure

tread depth

...[more]

Why is My Auto AC Blowing Hot Air?

Picture this. It’s a typical hot summer day. You just got done winning an intense kickball game. You are hot and exhausted. All you want to do is cool down and head home to have a relaxing evening. When you get to your car, you blast the AC. You wait and wait, but it never gets cold. It’s actually blowing hot air! How could this be? Well, it could be a couple of different factors. The three most common issues it could be are a refrigerant leak, a worn-out compressor or problems with electrical system.

If you are experiencing a refrigerant leak, this is because your AC system is no longer sealed properly, and the refrigerant in your car is now evaporating into gas. This happens because it is no longer under the pressure of a closed-looped AC system. If your pressu ...[more]

Why Are My Headlights Foggy?

Have you noticed your vehicle’s headlights have grown foggier over time, even though you’ve kept up with car washes and other general maintenance? Are you having difficulty seeing the road in front of you at night or are worried about your visibility to other drivers? Foggy or yellowed headlights are a fact of life for many drivers, but they don’t have to be for you and your vehicle. Read on to learn what you need to know about headlights and the headlight restoration process from our experienced auto technicians.

What Are Headlights Made Of?

Headlights were originally made with glass, but this fragile material made them prone to cracking and shattering. Over the years, auto manufacturers have moved to making headlig ...[more]

Which Tire is Right for You?

With so many different types of tires to choose from, finding the right tire to meet your needs can be overwhelming. The choice ultimately comes down to the type of vehicle you drive and what you’ll be doing after you get that new set of tires. You want to pick a reliable tire which meets your needs and is compatible with your vehicle. Tire types such as snow tires and mud tires serve a specific purpose, while all-terrain and all-season tires are fine for most conditions. Read below for a more detailed description of each tire and their optimal uses.

All-Season Tires – All-season tires are the everyman’s tire. They offer good traction in the rain and in normal conditions all year long and offer a quiet and smooth ride. All-season tires also hold up again excess ...[more]

Summer Road Trip Tips

The days are getting longer, school is out, and summer is almost here! The rising temperatures have a lot of people itching to hop into their car and head to a body of water or hiking trail. Summer vacations are a time to unplug, relax and have fun with your family and friends. They do, however, require a bit of preparation beforehand. If you are foregoing the airport in favor of a road trip, it’s important to give your vehicle a little TLC before hitting the road to ensure a safe, smooth trip. Nothing can put a damper on a summer road trip quite like vehicle trouble. Before heading out, it’s a good rule of thumb to do a quick check – and service if necessary – of some items on your vehicle.

Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that come in direct contact with ...[more]

Maximizing Your Tire Life

If you’re like most people, the thought of opening your wallet to shell out money for tires isn’t at the top of your “things to get excited about” list. Unfortunately, this is a necessary part of owning a vehicle. How often you must replace your tires depends on your driving habits, how well you maintain your tires and the type of tires you purchase. Taking steps to maintain your tires will extend their life significantly, saving you time and money down the road!

One step to maintaining your tires is regular tire rotations. A tire rotation is the simple act of moving

your tires from one position to another to ensure they wear evenly. You may be wondering how moving your tires around can increase your tire’s life. W ...[more]

Should I Repair or Replace My Tire?

It’s early in the morning, and you are walking out the door to head to work. As you walk up to your car, you notice your tire is flat. “I just bought these tires two months ago,” you think. Unfortunately, no matter how new your tires are, they are always susceptible to being damaged by nails or other debris in the road. Can it be replaced, or will you have to buy a new tire?

The ability to repair the damaged tire instead of replacing it will depend on how large the puncture is, where the puncture is located and how quickly you spotted the damage. Sure, repairing the tire is the most cost-effective option but not at the expense of you and your passengers’ safety. Before deciding to repair your tire versus buying a new one, you’ll want to ensure your tire is a good candidate for a ...[more]

How Do My Brakes Work?

It’s a sunny day and you’re driving down the road with your windows down and music turned up. All of a sudden, the car in front of you stops abruptly, causing you to slam on your brakes. Thank goodness your brakes worked perfectly, and you avoided a collision. Until this incident occurred you probably haven’t given your brake system much thought. Sure, you know your brakes should be inspected and serviced every once in a while… but how do they actually make your car stop with just a tap of the foot?

When you really stop and think, you realize brakes are a pretty amazing invention. They have the power to bring a large, multi-ton machine traveling at 70 miles per hour to a complete stop with just a push of the pedal. This ability is all thanks to science! & ...[more]