What’s Inside Your Tires?

The construction of the modern tire is a testament to how far engineering and technology have come over the centuries. No more are the days of an air-filled donut comprised of rubber. Years of research by the world’s top tire companies have resulted in the tires we have today, which are full of state-of-the-art materials and technology.

Tread

The outermost layer of your tire is called the tread. This is the patterned rubber layer you can see. The pattern of the tread will depend on the type of tire you purchase and what use it is intended for.

Belts (or Belt System)

Directly below the tread of your tire are the belts. Most commonly, belts are constru ...[more]

Why You Shouldn’t Drive on an Empty Gas Tank

You’ve probably been told at some point in your driving career to not drive your car while the gas tank is on empty, but did you know why that is? This recommendation is more than just an old wives’ tale—you can damage your car by ignoring that gas light for too long.

First, you should understand what your fuel light indicator really means. When you hear the familiar “ding” that accompanies your fuel light, your fuel tank has reached “reserve” levels, or around 10-15% capacity. It is possible to calculate how long that will last using your car’s average range, but we would advise against it, just to be safe. Avoid doing the math if you know you are the type of person to risk it and drive on empty anyway.

One reason i ...[more]

How Potholes Can Damage Your Car

Most of us have been taught to avoid potholes while driving. It was probably one of the very first things we learned behind the wheel! Although most us know driving over potholes is bad for our vehicles, very few know exactly why that is. These are the parts of your vehicle you should be worried about if you accidentally drive over a pothole:

Steering System

If you hit a pothole, you risk misaligning your steering system. If you have noticed your vehicle pulling to the left or right while you are trying to steer straight, you could have a misaligned steering system. Other signs include uneven tire wear, squealing tires, or a crooked steering wheel while driving straight.

Tires ...[more]

Auto Repair Jargon You Should Know

Unless you consider yourself a car enthusiast, you may find yourself feeling a bit lost when having conversations with your mechanic. At times, it can feel like you are speaking to someone using a different language with words like “grease monkey,” “kickdown,” and “oversquare” whizzing past your head like dodgeballs. Hopefully, this list of common auto repair terms will help your next conversation with your mechanic go a bit more seamlessly:

• Aftermarket – This term applies to parts which are not made by the original manufacturer. The best aftermarket parts will meet or exceed the quality of the original parts in your vehicle.
• Hesitation – “Hesitation” refers to the lack of response which occurs when you first accel ...[more]

How to Buy New Tires

If you’ve never done it before, purchasing tires can be a frustrating and intimidating task. How do you know what brand is best? How do you get the best price? We will discuss these questions and more in this blog post.

1. Read Reviews

It’s impossible to know how tires will perform after a few thousand miles… unless you read the reviews of people who already have those tires. When looking through reviews, look for people who drive a similar car to yours (truck, SUV, sports car, etc.) and skim past the reviews of people who have driven less than 25% of the tire’s lifespan. If a tire lasts 50,000 miles, look for the reviews of people who have driven at least 12,500 miles on the tires. Your car will always drive well on new tires. The true test of a tire’s durability comes after it’s had som ...[more]

Strange Traffic Laws from Around the World

If you’ve ever driven in a foreign country, you’ve probably encountered your fair share of strange traffic laws. Did you know you’ll be fined for driving a dirty car in Russia or for driving without a breathalyzer in your car in France? Some of these laws are hard to believe!

1. In Russia, you will be fined for driving a dirty vehicle.

2. In Germany, it is illegal to run out of fuel on the Autobahn.

3. In Alabama it is legal to drive the wrong way down a one-way street, but only if you attach a lantern to the front of your vehicle.

4. Here’s another fun one from Alabama: It is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while operati ...[more]

How to Perform A Safety Inspection on Your Tires

Tires are one of the most important parts of your vehicle. Poorly maintained tires can lead to dangerous or deadly accidents at worst and a negative impact on your vehicle’s handling at best. It’s important for every driver to regularly inspect their tires for proper inflation, tread depth, and sidewall condition. Performing this quick, regular check can help you stay safe on the road.

Step One: Check Your Tread Depth

This step is probably one you know. Worn out tread on your tires can prevent you from maintaining traction on the road and even keep you from being able to brake properly in an emergency. To check your tread depth, place a penny between the tread blocks of your tire. With Lincoln’s head upside-down, you shou ...[more]

The Different Types of Engine Oil

If you’ve ever taken a car in to be serviced, you’ve probably been asked by the mechanic, “What type of oil are you getting?” If you’re like most people, you probably just say “Whatever it takes,” or “Whatever you recommend!” Depending on your vehicle, the mechanic may recommend one of four types of motor oil: full synthetic, synthetic blend, conventional, or high mileage. Each type of oil has a specific chemical makeup and purpose it is best suited for:

Conventional Motor Oil: Conventional motor oil is the most commonly used type of motor oil. It is ideal for late-model, light-duty cars with low to average mileage and simple engine design.

Full Synthetic Motor Oil: Full synthetic motor oil differs from conv ...[more]

Why You Shouldn’t Mix Tires

If possible, when replacing one tire, you should always try to purchase as close as possible to the existing tires on your vehicle. A matching tire will have the same tread pattern, construction, and size as your existing tires. We never recommend you use mismatched tires unless specifically recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle.

A few ways drivers will mismatch tires include: using tires with different tread patterns, using tires made by different manufacturers, using tires made for different seasons (summer vs. winter tires) and using tires with different sizes.

Every unique tire is designed for a specific job, a specific handling capability and to work together with a set of matching tires. If you use mismatched tires, your car can experience unpred ...[more]

Something is Leaking: What Is It?

Finding that fluid which is leaking from your car can be alarming. It is possible fluid leaking from your car could be normal, but other times leaking fluids are a symptom of a bigger problem with your vehicle. Before you panic, there are two questions you need to ask: 1) “Where is the fluid coming from?” and 2) “What does the fluid look like?”

When determining where the fluid is coming from, first find out for certain whether the fluid is even coming for your vehicle and not the vehicle parked in the space before you. If you are unsure, just get down and take a good look under the car with a flashlight or your cell phone.

Once you have determined that the leak is indeed coming from your vehicle, stick a piece of white paper ...[more]