Express Car Care of Denver

"Denver's Best Auto Repair and Quick Lube"

Wheel Alignment or Tire Balancing, What Your Car Needs

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When you drive with a wheel problem, you’ll feel it immediately in the way your car moves. What’s causing it may be a bit more challenging to figure out. 

Is it a problem with wheel alignment? Do your tires need balancing? Or is it something else? 

What is wheel alignment

Wheel alignment is sometimes referred to as tire alignment or front-end alignment. It’s a service that adjusts the angle of your vehicle’s wheels to put them in proper position based on manufacturer’s recommendations. It’s an adjustment of the car’s suspension system, not the tires or wheels themselves. 

Wheel alignment keeps your car from veering to the right or left as you drive. It can improve the handling of your vehicle, and makes your car safer to drive. 

As a part of a wheel alignment service, a technician checks several things to ensure drivability. They check the toe, camber, and caster, all of which impact proper alignment. They’ll also look at tire tread to ensure the tires are connecting properly with the road. 

Typically, manufacturers recommend having a wheel alignment every 10,000 miles. Check your owner’s manual for specific guidelines. You should also have a wheel alignment performed if you notice your:

  • Vehicle pulls to either the left or right while driving
  • Wheels don’t point straight ahead when stationary
  • Tires have noticeable tread wear
  • Car has been damaged in an accident or collision 

What is tire balancing 

Think of what your tires go through as you drive around each day. They take corners. The skid to a stop. They hit potholes and bumps. They swerve to miss what’s lying on the road. They navigate puddles, driving rain, slush, and snow. Eventually, all of that impacts your tires. 

Wheel Alignment or Tire Balancing, What Your Car Needs

Yes, the tread on your tires will eventually wear away, requiring you to purchase new tires. But long before that, your tires may settle, no longer connecting properly with the road. 

Tire balancing is also referred to frequently as wheel balancing. As tire tread wears down, it can cause the weight around the tire to change. This leads to an imbalance that can increase tread wear, lead to vibration, cause damage to the suspension system, or a number of other problems. 

As a part of tire balancing, your tires and wheels are mounted onto a tire balancing machine. This calibrated balancer tests both moving and non-moving tire balance, and adjusts the tires to proper balance. It adds tire weights to achieve a properly balanced tire and wheel assembly. 

Typically, tire balancing is performed along with tire rotations. Most manufacturers suggest both services take place every 5-6,000 miles, or 6 months, whichever comes first. You should also have your tires balanced if you notice:

  • Excessive vibration in the steering wheel as you drive
  • Floorboard vibration
  • Uneven tire wear
  • A flat tire 

People think the only way for tires to move out of balance is to hit something in the road. It doesn’t take a sharp object or a large bump to alter how your vehicle drives. If you leave your vehicle sitting for long periods of time without moving it, the tires can develop flat spots that can cause an imbalance. 

How do you know if you need an alignment or a balance?

Tire balancing and wheel alignment often occur at the same time, but the two shouldn’t be confused for the same thing. They are two separate services, each with its own benefits to keep your car running smoothly. And reducing your risk while driving down the road. 

One of the biggest benefits of tire balancing is that it prevents premature tire tread wear. If you want to get the most mileage possible from your tires, scheduling routine tire balancing should be a part of your regular maintenance. Keeping your tires balance will help their performance as well as optimize your gas mileage.  

Wheel alignment improves vehicle handling, fuel efficiency, and extends your tires’ life. Left untreated, you’ll have steering and suspension problems, potentially damaging components enough for repair work or even replacement. You can also shorten a tire’s life by thousands of miles. 

If you notice a vibration in the steering wheel or on the floorboard, it’s a tire balance issue. 

If your vehicle pulls to one side, your steering wheel sits crooked, or you have trouble driving straight without a tight grip on the steering wheel, it’s an alignment issue. 

If you notice any problem with either balancing or alignment issues, don’t delay. Schedule an inspection as soon as possible to bring your vehicle back into good working condition. 

Tire balancing doesn’t take very long; one to two hours and you’ll be back on the road. It depends on the issues your car has experienced. Hitting a pothole may cause more imbalance than working with installing new tires. 

Wheel alignment is also a fairly quick service that generally takes one to two hours. The more wear and tear or damage to the suspension system will require more time for correction. That’s just one of the reasons it’s better to bring your vehicle in quickly; labor costs are kept to a minimum if the task is easier to fix. 

Four tires … One vehicle 

If you notice damage to one of your tires, why can’t you fix just the one? The easiest answer is: all four tires are attached to one vehicle. It takes four tires to control your vehicle on the open road, and carry you from point A to point B. If one tire is out of balance, there’s a good chance it’s impacting the others too. 

To ensure your tires have a full life, and your car drives safely no matter where you go, it’s a good idea to have all four rotated and balanced regularly. It’s the easiest way to ensure your safety on the road.

What Are All-Weather Tires and Do They Work In Colorado?

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It can easily reach into the 100s in July, and dip down below zero in January. But come April and October, you can easily witness all four seasons in just a few hours of time. 

That makes it difficult to know what to plan for when you head out the door in the morning. It also makes it difficult to know what kind of weather your vehicle will face on the drive in. 

Should you have plenty of windshield washer fluid for splashback? Check. 

Should you ensure your brakes are always in good condition to handle everything from dry to icy conditions? Add a check there too. 

But when it comes to what tires to put on your vehicle, it’s hard to know what to do. Summer tires will provide good traction on the hot pavement the summer brings. Winter tires will help with traction no matter how much snow or ice is on the road. But changing tires can be difficult at best. And at what point do you make the change?

Maybe an all-weather tire makes more sense. 

What are all-weather tires?

As the name implies, all-weather tires are designed to offer you traction and stability in all kinds of driving conditions. The tread is created to handle summertime heat along with slushy, icy, snowy roads. The specialized rubber used to create the tires provides flexibility in a variety of driving conditions. Like when you move from sunny, warm weather in the morning, to icy, snow-packed roads by the evening commute. 

Don’t mistake all-weather tires for all-season tires. The name may be similar, but their performance isn’t. Where all-weather tires are designed to handle different road conditions, all-season tires are designed to function in all four seasons. They provide stability to handle the average of each season, meaning some rain, and very light snow. 

What Are All-Weather Tires and Do They Work In Colorado?

All-weather are designed with unique tread perfect for gripping the road no matter what conditions exist. Hot pavement, wet roads, or snowy, winter conditions can all be navigated well with all-weather tires. They have deep grooves which help reduce hydroplaning when the roads are wet, plus ample flexibility for handling when the snow starts to fall. 

The pros of all-weather tires

When you are ready to purchase a new set of tires, it’s important to consider your drive before you make your final selection. Do you drive dozens of miles per day? Is mountain driving a part of your daily commute? Do you navigate dirt roads and back country driving? Or is everything a few minutes from your urban home?

All-weather tires have improved traction on most road surfaces. All-weather are designed moving across different types of terrain at different times of the year. They provide good traction in all driving conditions here in the Denver Metro area. 

All-weather tires provide a year-round solution. If you’re tired of changing from summer to winter tires, storing them, and wondering when to change, all-weather may be the perfect choice for you. 

All-weather tires provide decent solutions on ice and snow. If you commute a few miles to work each day, relying on snowplows to help clear the roads, all-weather tires can be a viable solution. They handle decently on snow and icy roads.

Investing in all-weather tires can also save you money over buying both summer and winter tires. This saves you from bringing your car in twice per year for switching them out, and storing them while they aren’t in use. 

The cons of all-weather tires

This is all about expectations. It’s about knowing what you demand from your driving experience. 

If you want the ultimate control for driving in snowy conditions, you’ll never beat snow tires. All-weather tires offer flexibility to help you move through the different road conditions Colorado faces each year, but nothing will ever compare to what true snow tires offer. All-weather will get stiff in extreme cold, and will reduce traction between you and the road. This comes down to where you live and drive – how much traction do you really need each day? 

All-weather will also have delayed reaction on icy roads when compared with snow tires. They may be a step up from summer tires and all-season tires, yet still fall below the ability of snow tires. 

All-weather tires will also be a little more difficult to drive with in deep snow. If you tackle the deep stuff regularly, nothing will handle better than snow tires designed for winter driving conditions. 

Which are the best tires for you? 

Before you make your final decision, ask yourself a few questions. 

  • What are my daily driving conditions like? 
  • Do I spend more time driving in certain conditions than others?
  • Do I spend more time in urban or rural driving conditions?
  • Do I have the room to store tires? 
  • What’s best to work with the car I drive?
  • What kind of driver am I?

Your tires are an important part of your vehicle’s braking system. To ensure they provide good traction and help you stay safe year-round, select the right tires for you. 

Are all-weather tires a viable option for some Colorado drivers? You bet. Stop by today. We’ll help you make the right choice, and help keep your vehicle in good driving condition no matter what the weather is like outside. 

Does Your Truck Need Winter Tires

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Have you ever watched shows on television that show people navigating treacherous winter conditions without a problem, laughing and talking as if nothing were happening outside the window? 

You know it’s not reality. Even a few snowflakes can set off a chain of events. The driver in front of you swerves. You hit a patch of ice. You grip the steering wheel as if your life depends on it. There has to be a better way!

Does your truck need winter tires? Will that solve the problem? Are they worth the money, or should you just look for a job closer to home? 

When there’s snow, you have to plan for snow

Living in Denver means you’ll get plenty of opportunities to drive in snowy conditions. Just this past year was one of the snowiest years on record, with Denver receiving more snow than it had seen in 37 years. 

Even just an inch or two can have a dire effect on your daily commute. Ice can form. Snow can accumulate. And all of it impacts your truck’s traction and handling, creating more risk for you to fishtail, skid, slide, and bump into the cars around you. 

Not surprisingly, 24 percent of weather-related crashes occur when pavement is slushy, icy, or snowy. Almost 15 percent occur when snow or sleet is falling. Waking up and taking a peek out the window can immediately put you on alert – you’ll face a stressful drive. Is there a way to change that? 

Does Your Truck Need Winter Tires

The answer may be with winter tires

No matter what type of vehicle you drive – truck, 4×4, SUV – your tires are the source for your wintertime stopping power and performance. Tires give you cornering grip. They give you the ability to effectively turn and recover if the tire slips and slides. 

While trucks often have a unique ability for traction and safety, that can change rapidly when the snow starts to fall. 

Unlike regular tires, winter tires are created with rubber that won’t harden as the temperatures drop. The tread of winter truck tires remains flexible no matter how far the temperatures drop, enabling them to better grip icy and snow-packed roads. 

Winter tires also have specially designed tread patterns that cut through the layers of wintery roads. They handle precipitation more effectively, and are designed to keep your vehicle on track and driving straight no matter how bad the roads get. They provide full-depth tread that better pushes away snow and sleet to improve how it handles on the road. 

Snow tires or chains – what’s the difference? 

Even if you have snow tires, you may occasionally see recommendations for adding tire chains if you’re going to drive. If you’re going to carry tire chains and plan on using them when the roads are bad, is it really necessary to invest in snow tires too? 

Think of tire chains as a cheap alternative to snow tires. They give you much-needed traction when you need it most. But unlike snow tires, they aren’t there at the spur of the moment, when things rapidly change. And if you’ve been in Colorado long enough, you know weather can move into the city in moments. With tire chains, you’ll be out of your truck, putting them into place, and spending time outside as the weather worsens. You have to plan ahead, and spend the time necessary to put them into place. 

Snow tires are more expensive than tire chains. You also have to plan and have them installed on your vehicle before the winter weather arrives. But once they’re in place, you won’t have to think twice. They’ll be there as an added safety feature whenever lousy weather arrives. 

Do winter tires really make a difference? 

If you’ve done any search online, you know there’s a debate over the effectiveness of winter tires. Are they a good investment? Are they something you should consider for your truck? 

The answer comes in knowing your own driving habits. Are you looking for performance, or are you the type who prefers to stay home? 

Winter tires add to safety when you need it most. If you’ve ever felt your truck slide, you know the fear that comes along with losing control. While not perfect, winter tires can cut back on that happening. 

Winter tires won’t make your vehicle invincible. But it will give you performance when you need it most. For most truck owners, once they have snow tires in place, they can’t imagine driving again without them. 

For even more proof that winter tires can add safety to your drive, look at the advice provided by the Colorado Department of Transportation. They state:

Winter tires are safest for snowy and icy conditioners. Tread patterns built into winter tires provide extra traction and stability, while the rubber stays softer in cold temperatures, giving it superior grip. 

When compared to all-weather or mud and snow tires, there’s a distinct advantage. In a stopping distance test from 60 mph on snow packed roads:

  • Summer tires took more than 800 feet to stop
  • All-season tires to 668 feet to stop
  • Winter tires to 310 feet to stop

In short, winter tires work well when the weather turns nasty. When Colorado puts the Traction Law into effect, your all-season tires won’t make the cut. If you have to be somewhere, no matter what the weather is like, winter tires are the only way to go. 

Are winter tires worth the investment for your truck?

Only you can decide if now is the time to invest in new winter tires. 

But if you’re looking for better performance all through the year, if you do a lot of driving every single day of the week, winter tires may be the right investment for your needs. 

How can we help you keep your truck in good condition no matter what Colorado weather is like outside? 

Tire Rotation – Should You Rotate Regularly, or Not?

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With every part of your vehicle, there’s a set of guidelines to ensure they remain in top condition. As they wear, there are also suggested plans of action for repair and replacement, to ensure you’re never stranded by the side of the road. 

One of the most common reasons you’ll find people pulled over along the highway is for a flat or blown tire. It’s one of the most common repairs, because your tires are constantly under pressure. 

When you purchase new tires, they promise you they’ll last 40,000, 50,000, even 60,000 miles or longer. The reality of that depends on how well you care for the tires during that time frame. 

No, you can’t put new tires on and forget about them. Tire rotation is a crucial part of giving tires their longest lifespan. 

What is tire rotation?

Tire rotation means periodically moving the tires to a different position on your vehicle. You should rotate them as recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer, or about every 5,000 miles. To make the process easy, you might consider bringing your vehicle in for an oil change, and have the tires rotated at the same time. 

When a mechanic rotates your tires, it also gives them a chance to inspect them for other potential problems. They can check air pressure, look for visible signs of damage, and check their tread depth. If you’ve noticed anything unusual with the way your car drives, let your mechanic know. It’s a perfect time for them to inspect the tires in more detail to ensure a safe drive for you in the coming months. 

Why should tire rotation be a part of your regular routine? 

Tire rotation is important for several reasons. 

Banner For Car Wheel Business. 3d render and illustration. Wheel black background.

Potentially the biggest reason is to ensure you get the full mileage from your tires. By rotating them and putting tires in new positions every few thousand miles, it ensures the tread life is maximized. Tires on the front of a front wheel drive vehicle take a larger portion of the friction as you move down the road.  Each wheel could have its own little quirks about pressure and the way it handles on the road. Rotating them changes the way each tire connects, and gives them the best chance at an extended life. 

Also, even pressure on a tire ensures even tread wear throughout the life of a tire. Tread depth helps with traction on the road. Because we have a variety of weather conditions here in Colorado, connection is everything. With proper tread depth, you’ll ensure the safest levels of cornering and braking performance your vehicle can offer. That means a safer drive for you, your passengers, and the people around you. 

If you have an all-wheel drive car, keeping your tires in balance means less stress on the drivetrain. And that can amount to less maintenance over time. 

Is 5,000 miles suggested or mandatory?

We see all kinds of advice online that suggests mileage markers as a guideline instead of a rule. Ultimately, it’s about two things. 

First, you should always consult your owner’s manual for maintenance requirements. The people who built your vehicle have the best understanding of how to maintain it. When in doubt, heed their guidance and follow their advice. 

Second, Nothing is ever cast in stone. However, if you wish to keep your car in the best condition possible, and avoid potential problems that could impact your drive, erring on the side of being consistent with checkups will never hurt. 

Allowing a mechanic to inspect your vehicle regularly gives them a chance to find potential problems before they escalate. With tire rotation, they can determine any potential problem with your tire before it gives you trouble on the road. 

It reduces the cost of an expensive repair, giving you a chance to fix it before more goes wrong with your vehicle. 

Other reasons to rotate your tires regularly

While your tires are an expensive part of your vehicle, parts you’ll be replacing regularly as you drive, there are other reasons to inspect them regularly. 

While regular tire rotation can ensure your tires the longest life, it also ensures your safety. If tires don’t wear evenly, it can increase your risk of a blowout. At a minimum, it will impact the performance of how you drive, and can lower your gas mileage, making you spend more at the pump each time. 

Your tires are also largely responsible for braking. Think of your tires as a protection system for the wheels. If tires are overly worn, they can jar the wheels, impact the brakes, which can cause you problems in emergencies. Ever had to stop quickly and your brakes not perform the way you’re used to? It could be a problem with your tires. 

Especially on a front-wheel drive car, it uses gripping for traction. If the tires on the front are compromised, it can affect your car’s performance overall. 

What happens during tire rotation? 

Above all, tire rotation gives the mechanic a chance to inspect the tires and determine if there is a potential problem. This stops issues in their tracks. It also allows them to look at a variety of conditions, from proper inflation to how they are impacting the drivetrain. They also check tire safety, looking for things like overinflation, blistering, or cupping on your tires. 

In most cases, tire rotation involves moving the front tires to the rear, and the rear tires to the front. There are other possible patterns depending on what the professional finds, and according to your manufacturer’s guidelines. 

What’s your next step?

When was the last time you had your tires rotated? 

When was the last time you scheduled a maintenance visit with your local mechanic?

Regular inspections are the easiest way to keep your vehicle in good condition, create peak performance, and reduce the cost you’ll spend on repair bills when things go wrong. 

It’s your early warning protection system. 

Schedule your maintenance visit today. 

Should I Replace a Damaged Wheel?

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Every part on your vehicle is under pressure as you drive. Few parts, however, experience the daily bumps and grinds quite the way your wheels do.

Imagine the pressure placed on the wheels as you hit one of the infamous potholes that form over the long winter months here along the Front Range.

Or how about the way your wheels bounce and move when you take a dirt road?

Or even when your car touches the curb as you slide on ice buildup from the latest storm?

That bent wheel is telling you something. You may even feel it in the way your car drives.

Should you replace the damaged wheel? Should you repair it? Ignore it?

What are wheels made of?

The majority of wheels placed on vehicles today are made of cast aluminum alloy. They are created by pouring molten aluminum into a mold. This creates a lightweight yet strong product that, in general, works better than steel wheels used in the past. Because of how they are poured, they can take on many different looks and sizes, making them a popular choice for today’s vehicles.

Should I Replace a Damaged Wheel?The wheel is the structure surrounded and protected by the tire. The wheel has a center cap that sits in the middle, with a center bore in the back. They have lug holes where bolts are used to keep everything in place. You also have spokes, which connect the center of the wheel with the outer rim of the wheel. This is where the decorative part of your wheel exists. Finally, wheels also have an outer lip, a valve stem, and the barrel. Together, they create a wheel that holds up under all kinds of pressure.

Without a stable wheel, the tire can’t operate at peak performance. They work well when both are properly maintained. If any of the elements are damaged or not in optimal working condition, it’s important to get them repaired as quickly as possible, or replaced if they can’t be fixed.

What causes wheel damage 

Wouldn’t it be nice if you knew exactly what would cause damage to your wheels so you could avoid it? While there are a lot of variables in what can impact the wheels, there are a few guidelines that can help you become a more aware driver.

Driving on a flat tire – Have you ever watched a pilot walk around the plane before taking off doing a flight check? As a driver, you should have your own routine in place. As you walk up to your vehicle, glance at the tires – is one of them low on air, even flat? If your tire isn’t up for the job of protecting the wheel, it’s more likely the wheel will experience damage as you drive. Tires are designed to absorb the impact. They can’t do that if they aren’t in optimal condition. That means you should check tire pressure periodically and replace them before they further put your vehicle at risk.

Hitting a curb – how many times have you mistaken a driveway for a curb? You can tell when your car clunks and drops that the drop was larger than anticipated. Or maybe you turn a little too quickly and tap the curb as you’re turning a corner. We all do it. But that can also be a big problem for your wheels. The best course of action is to slow down and pay attention to where your car is moving.

Winter roads – sometimes bumps and dips in the road aren’t the only things to cause damage. Every winter, our roads are in constant flux with mag-chloride being sprayed on, sand and gravel laid into place, and ice and snow impacting our drive.  Driving through these chemicals and other pollutants can cause a buildup on the rims. Over time, depending on the metal alloy, these corrosive materials can eat away at the structure of the wheel until they break the seal with the tires. That’s a good reason to clean your vehicle frequently during the winter months to keep your car clean of these chemicals.

Be conscious of parking – if you frequently parallel park, how often do you touch the curb with your wheels? Do you bounce off the curb in front of you as you park in a lot? This constant scrape can wear down both your tires and your wheels until it causes serious damage.

Driving on rough pavement – sometimes there is no way to avoid rough pavement. And here in Colorado, the condition of the pavement changes all the time. Huge cracks sometimes seem to form overnight. Pop-up parking lots can have you traveling over gravel and stone. Have you ever followed Siri’s instructions and found yourself on rough, unknown roads? All of this can be hard on the rims, especially if your tires are weakened.

Hitting potholes – one of the biggest causes of wheel damage is potholes, something we get quite a lot of here, thanks to our winter conditions. You know the moment you hit one that your car has suffered from the impact. Even though you cringe when you hit one, it depends on the severity your wheels take the impact. Rough edges and the depth of the hole can all add into how much damage it sustains. If you suspect a problem, or notice a difference in the way your car drives, it’s time to schedule a check-up.

Replace or repair?

Wheels are built tough and should take quite a bit of impact as you drive. It all depends on the driving conditions, and how well your vehicle is maintained.

If you suspect an issue, don’t wait. Problems escalate quickly, and what started out as a simple repair suddenly turns into a major expense. A problem with your wheels could further jeopardize your tires, the brake system, or the suspension system. And as more repair work is needed, costs quickly follow.

Our team here at Express Car Care is ready to answer all of your questions, and get you back on the road as quickly as possible.

How can we help you?

Spare Tire Care

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Most of us don’t worry about getting a flat tire.  After all, it rarely happens, and if it does, we might think we can just call someone and have them put on the spare tire.  That’s a perfect plan if your spare is in good shape.  But how many of us even think twice about checking the condition of our spare tires?

The spares that take the biggest beating are those mounted outside the vehicle.  Like those on SUVs and trucks.  They might be on the tailgate or underneath the vehicle.  These get exposed to water, dirt, salt, and road debris.  The mounting hardware can become so corroded that you may not even be able to get the spare out of its holder, leaving you with no usable spare at all.

When you get your tires rotated, ask your service technician to check the condition and inflation of the outside-mounted spare and its holder.  A little lubrication and maintenance periodically can help keep them fit for action.  Often the spare on an SUV or truck is the same size as the other tires and may be included in the regular rotation – check your owner’s manual.

How about those compact spare tires that are sitting in the trunk, out of sight and out of mind?  They can have low air pressure too,  because over time, the air can slowly escape.  It’s a good idea to have your service facility check the spare’s pressure and condition at least twice a year, if not more frequently.  What good is a spare tire with inadequate air pressure?

And then there are the vehicles that don’t have spare tires at all.  They may have an inflator kit. These kits need to be kept in good shape, too.  Be aware that an inflator kit can’t fix many tire punctures and failures.  They frequently have a sealant in them that attempts to plug leaks and holes.  That sealant has an expiration date and should be replaced when it expires.  Again, ask your service adviser if your inflator kit is up to date and working.

Be fair to your spare and show it you care.

Why Are My Tires Always Flat?

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Have you ever noticed that on your busiest days, that’s when your car seems to take on a mind of its own? You know what I mean if you’ve ever run outside, late for a meeting, and found something wrong with your car.

While a dead battery might stop you in your tracks, it isn’t the only thing that can cause you to be late. One look at a flat tire will tell you you’re not going anywhere until it’s fixed.

And while a flat tire can hold you back until you change it, what happens when you come out repeatedly to a flat tire? What do you do when your tires are always flat? Why does it keep occurring back to back?

There could be several reasons for that. Let’s go over each of them to help you narrow down what’s going on with your vehicle.

Age

While a tire that goes flat once could be from a variety of things, if it keeps happening, there’s something else happening with your tire. When was the last time you replaced your tires?

Tires have a very important job on your vehicle. They connect you to the road, keeping you comfortable and safe as you drive along. They are continually being subjected to all kinds of things: rain, sleet, snow, ice, dirt, debris, potholes, heat … You get the picture. Every day brings on a new set of experiences. And your tires are designed to take it all in, and continue to protect your car.Why Are My Tires Always Flat?

Tires are made from a variety of materials, including rubber. These materials aren’t designed to last forever; they will eventually wear out.

There isn’t one set of guidelines to help you determine exactly when that is. However, tires do come with suggested guidelines you should follow. A high performance tire may wear down faster than one designed for all-weather performance. It also depends on what driving conditions it faces each day.

While you can start by determining how many miles you’ve put on this set of tires, you should also take a look at wear marks. Tire makers state that tires should officially be retired when the tread depth reaches 2/32 of an inch. If you’re kind to your tires, they can last for years. If you drive aggressively, it can shorten the curve immensely.

Dry rot

Age can cause your tires to degrade over time. But age isn’t the only thing that can go wrong. While age, in general, will impact the tread of the tire, dry rot affects your tire’s sidewall.

Dry rot isn’t created from bacteria as it does in a forest. Instead, dry rot on your tire is caused by age or exposure to certain conditions. They include extreme temperatures, UV damage, extensive periods of long term parking, and corrosive chemicals.

Think all of that describes Colorado living perfectly this year? Yep, us too.

The way to prevent dry rot is through regular maintenance. Checking your tires regularly can ensure they are inflated to proper levels, and that you don’t notice problems with the tire tread before you hop on the road and drive.

If you do park for extended periods of time, (like we’ve been doing here in the middle of a pandemic,) be sure you check your vehicle periodically to ensure it’s in good condition. That includes starting the car and running it from time to time to keep the systems working, and checking to ensure the tires are properly inflated.

Valve stem

If you’ve recently changed a flat tire, only to have it flatten again a few miles down the road, it’s time to take a look at the valve stem. The valve stem allows you to regulate tire pressure. It includes both the stem core and the valve cap. You use the stem core to add air into your tires, while the cap is used to seal out dirt and debris from entering.

Just like the tire itself, the valve stem can wear down over time. And as damage occurs, it can cause leaks. Inspect the valve stem. Do you notice any cracks? Does it appear to work when you fill your tires with air?

If you’re having problems regulating tire pressure, bring your vehicle in and we can perform a thorough check. It’s often a good idea to replace valve stems at the time you invest in new tires. This ensures the materials used are fresh and new, ready to perform for thousands of miles as you drive.

TPMS

Built inside the valve stem is a tiny sensor that warns your vehicle’s monitoring system of potential problems. TPMS – tire pressure monitoring system – is designed to track the tire pressure inside each tire, and provide a warning signal when it falls short of being within the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Because newer cars are all computerized, you can monitor any changes to your vehicle by merely keeping a watchful eye on your dashboard. While the actual dashboard signal may vary slightly from car to car, when you see a new icon illuminated, it’s time to find out what’s wrong. If a light blinks on and off, it might be a change in conditions. If it continues, it is a sign something is changing in the way your car operates. The best way to get to the root of the problem is to stop by and have us run a diagnostic test. It will help pinpoint where the problem lies, fix it, and get you back on the road again in no time.

Are you tired of changing tires? Are you tired of finding your car not ready to drive as you head out to a busy day?

Whether it’s due to age, dry rot, or there’s a problem with your tire pressure monitoring system, we can help you pinpoint the problem, and get you back on the road in no time.

Isn’t it nice to know there’s a local car care shop here waiting for you? You’ll receive honest answers every time you stop by. We’re here for you.

Tire Balance or Alignment – Which Does Your Car Need?

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“My car shakes when I drive it.”

“My car veers off if I don’t hold tight to the steering wheel.”

Have you ever thought something similar when you drive your car? Maybe your car is in need of a tire balance or alignment.

Tire balancing and alignment are two phrases you might be familiar with. Drivers use them all the time. But what do they really mean? Are they the same thing? Can you use “tire balance” and “alignment” interchangeably for when you notice something wrong with the way your car drives?

What is tire balancing?

Tire balancing is also sometimes referred to as wheel balancing. Tire balancing corrects the distribution of weight onto each of the four wheels.

When a wheel is imbalanced, it leads to vibration while driving> If you’ve ever felt your vehicle shimmy and shake, it may be from imbalanced wheels. It can also cause excessive wear on the tires. If the tires don’t hit the pavement in the same manner on all four sides, it can cause some tires to wear faster than others. It can also damage the suspension system. The wheels are designed to keep your car stable as it moves. If it’s off balance, it can’t protect critical components of your car.

When a mechanic performs a tire balance on your vehicle, they apply zinc, lead, or composite weights to each wheel rim, both inside and outside. Because wheels are designed in different ways, there are several different types of weight application, determined by what your vehicle needs.

The weights are either pounded or taped into place to check balancing. Legislation has been enacted in some states to ban the use of lead weights, as many of them would fall off and wind up underground, potentially impacting our water supply.

What are the signs your car needs tire balancing?

Tire Balance or Alignment - Which Does Your Car Need?If you start to notice a vibration as you are driving, it’s a sign your tires need balancing. You might notice a shake in your steering column, feel it underneath your feet on the floorboard, or even notice movement in your seat.

Pay attention to the vibration as it can signal where your tires are out of balance. A tremble in your steering wheel can mean your front tires are impacted. If you notice your seat vibrating, it’s a sign it’s the back wheels.

You should also periodically inspect your tires. Do you notice uneven wear marks? Are certain parts of the tire wearing smooth before the rest? Does one tire look more heavily worn than others? All can be a signal your tires are imbalanced.

Also pay attention to your drive. Do you drive dirt roads frequently? Do you ignore potholes because you hit them often? Have you hit the curb recently? All of these things and more can damage your tires and wheels, and cause your tires to go out of balance.

What is wheel alignment?

Wheel alignment is also known as tire alignment. It refers to the practice of adjusting your car’s suspension system for a smoother ride. This isn’t an adjustment of the tires or wheels themselves, rather, the work is done to the suspension system to control the smoothness of the ride.

Alignment is what is needed to keep your car from veering off to the right or left when you drive. It can also improve the overall handling of your vehicle, and avoid certain vibrations that develop over time.

What are the signs your car needs a wheel alignment?

You might need a wheel alignment if you notice any of the following things:

  • Your car starts pulling to one side or the other while you drive
  • You notice uneven tire tread, or your tires are prematurely wearing down
  • You notice a squealing noise coming from your tires
  • You notice problems with your steering wheel, such as it tilts off-center, or vibrates when you accelerate

If you’ve been in a car accident, or you’ve recently slid into a curb, your vehicle is most likely in need of a wheel alignment.

Do I need a tire balance or wheel alignment?

Both tire balancing and wheel alignment should be a part of your regular maintenance routine. Just realize that the two are separate maintenance items, each being required to keep your car in good working condition as it ages.

While balancing is ensuring each individual tire is connecting well with the road, alignment is about modifying the angles of the wheels to ensure they are in proper position to each other, and to ensure the tires connect well with the road. An alignment ensures all four wheels are traveling in the same direction, and makes sure each tire stays well connected to the ground.

When do you balance your tires?

While it’s important to have your tires balanced if you feel a problem as you drive, there are also other times when you should rebalance your tires.

  • At a bare minimum, once every two years, more if you drive rough roads
  • When you get them rotated, which should occur about every 5,000 miles
  • When you have a flat and fix your tire
  • When you buy new tires
  • If you notice a weight missing from one of the rims
  • When you notice uneven wear on a tire

When do you align your wheels?

It’s suggested that you get your wheels aligned every time you have new tires put on your vehicle. You should also get an alignment:

  • If you have an accident
  • If you hit something, such as a curb, with your wheels
  • If you have severe wear on your tires
  • If you feel your car pulling as you accelerate
  • If you replace your tires

Keep in mind that not all vehicles need the same wheel alignment. A four-wheel drive doesn’t require a four-wheel alignment. Any vehicle with a single-tube axle can only have a front-end alignment.

And if your vehicle has other front end damage that may impact the alignment, it might be better off to wait until all work is completed. This way you won’t have to get an alignment twice.

Have more questions? We’re here to help. Just ask.

What If You Leave Winter Tires On All Year?

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This for a moment about a day of driving in January. You might start out with a sunny day on your way to work, but that can quickly change. Suddenly, the flurries start, it drops in temperature, and the snow starts to accumulate. Your drive home will be difficult at best.

Compare that to a day in the middle of July. You start out your day with a cool drive in, but the day quickly heats up from there. The temperatures climb – 80, 90, 100 degrees and more. It’s so hot even the pavement seems a bit gooey.

What about your tires? Should you prepare for each and get two separate sets? Or will one set of tires handle it all? Can you leave winter tires on all year? Or is there a better way to drive?

Get to know Colorado’s Traction Law

If you’ve ever driven Colorado roads, especially in the dead of winter, you know how treacherous they can be. When one car has trouble, spins out of control, and winds up by the side of the road, it can impact traffic for hours. It can turn one small accident into a major pileup in seconds.

What If You Leave Winter Tires On All Year?It can also be deadly.

The Traction Law is designed to require motorists to have:

  • 4WD or AWD vehicle with at least a 3/16 inch tread depth
  • Tires designated as mud and snow tires and a 3/16 inch tread depth
  • Winter tires with a 3/16 inch tread depth
  • All-weather tires with a 3/16 inch tread depth
  • Chains or an Autosock

It can go into effect at any time from September 1st to May 31st, depending on road conditions. If a Traction Alert is issued, you’ll have to stay off the road unless you have the specified tires on your vehicle.

This law was designed for two reasons. First, and the most obvious, is to keep Colorado drivers safe. Second, to keep the roads moving, and avoid hours of delay that can quickly occur in the event of a major pileup.

Your first question – Do your tires meet the Traction Law?

While this new Colorado law went into effect in 2019, if you haven’t evaluated if your car meets the guidelines, it’s time to give your tires a second look. All tires must have at least 3/16 inch tread depth to be considered compliant with Colorado law. If you aren’t sure what your tires’ tread depth is, measure it. Try this simple trick. Stick a quarter into the tread, making sure George Washinton’s head goes into the tire. If you can’t see the top of his head, your tire passes the 3/16 inch test.

However, don’t try the test just once and assume your tires are okay. Try all four tires. Try it in multiple places. In some cases, you might have a tire that isn’t wearing evenly, and you might be low in certain areas.

Don’t worry if you aren’t sure. The easiest (and possibly the best) way to determine if your tires are okay is to have them checked by one of our mechanics. We can tell you if they all meet required specifications, and how much traction you have left before replacement.

Winter tires, summer tires, what’s the difference?

Typically, you’ll find several different types of tires on the market: winter, summer, all-weather.

There are a few fundamental differences between them.

Winter:

Winter tires have a higher rubber content, which helps keep them softer, more supple when the temperatures dip low. The softer they are, the more able they are to grip the road surface in all kinds of weather conditions.

Winter tires have thousands of tiny grooves built into the tread blocks to disperse water and prevent hydroplaning. These grooves also can bite into the packed snow and provide optimal grip as you speed up and slow down.

Winter tires also have a deep tread pattern that allows snow to build up in the cavities. Snow helps grip snow, and intensifies the connection to the road.

Summer:

Summer tires are built from a harder compound that softens in milder and warmer weather conditions. This makes them more drivable on dry as well as rainy roads.

Summer tires have fewer grooves than winter tires, and are built more for handling afternoon rain showers and to prevent hydroplaning on suddenly wet roads.

Summer tires are made from a harder rubber compound that is designed to soften as the temperatures rise. They have more friction in the heat, which in turn gives you more fuel efficiency when the pavement reaches peak temperatures.

Summer tires also have a simpler block tread, which gives you better handling on hot roads, and has a massive impact on quickly you can brake.

All-season tires are somewhere in the middle. They are designed for average performance, no matter what the weather brings. You won’t have the grip and performance of summer tires, and will sacrifice more intense braking and handling in the winter. But overall, they get the job done.

Now let’s talk about winter tires. Are winter tires good all year long?

Should you leave your winter tires on all year? After all, the Denver metro area can see cold and snowy conditions ten months out of the year. It isn’t unheard of to have a snowstorm hit in May, while we’ve had sudden blizzard-like conditions as early as September.

And if you live in the foothills, the chance of snowfall increases from there. You might be tempted to trade in your tires for a good set of winter tires, and make those your year-round replacements. Here’s why you shouldn’t.

Winter tires are designed for traction and grip on snowy roads. They have unique features that make them great at what they do.

But if you leave them on, you’ll find:

They’ll wear down faster. Because winter tires are designed with deep treads that grip in cold weather, they can also wear down faster when they meet warm or hot roads day after day.

They won’t perform. You would never wear your snow boots to go jogging in the summer. You need the right tools for the job. Winter tires are designed for lower speeds and careful driving. When you want to hit the open road, you won’t get the same maneuvering or handling with winter tires.

You replace your tires faster. When we buy new tires, we focus on the manufacturer’s guidelines for how much mileage we can expect to see. If you’re not following the guidelines, the performance factors will decrease. You’ll replace your tires more often, and possibly have more problems (and repair bills) along the way.

It makes sense to have the right tire for the job.

Have you left your winter tires on all year long in the past?

Tire Rotation & Balancing

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You can make the tires on your vehicle last longer with a regular tire rotation and balancing.

Let’s start with the tire rotation.  In normal driving around town, your front tires wear more on the shoulders because they handle most of the cornering forces in the turns.  If you’re driving a front-wheel drive vehicle, there is even more force put on the front tires.

The reason we rotate the tires is so that all of the tires have some duty on the front end and it also gives the back end a little break.  By doing a tire rotation, all four tires should wear more evenly over their life, this helps them last longer.

Most vehicles have their tires rotated front to back, but some manufacturers recommend a cross rotational pattern that includes the spare tire too.  If you drive a high performance vehicle, they might have different size tires on the front and rear, or they may have unidirectional tires that can only be on the left or right side of the vehicle.  If you drive this type of vehicle be sure to ask your service adviser to help you figure out just the right tire rotation for your vehicle.

Tire manufacturers always have recommendations for how often they want you to rotate your tires.  These recommendations usually fall somewhere around 5,000 to 8,000 miles or 8,000 to 13,000 kilometers.

Now let’s talk about wheel balancing.  Balancing is when there are heavy spots on the tire and wheel that causes it to wobble.

Wheel balancing is adding weights to the wheel that balance it out so it doesn’t wobble.  These are very small weight differences.  There are variations in tire and wheel manufacturing that can cause slight imbalances.  The valve stem and the tire pressure monitoring sensors in the tire can also make a difference.

Even small differences can cause annoying vibrations.  The wheel is basically bouncing as it travels down the road.  Say you were driving on the freeway, if your wheel is out of balance it can slam into the road 14 times a second.  Besides being annoying it also causes your tires to wear out quicker.

If you have a front wheel out of balance, you’ll feel a vibration in the steering wheel, and a rear tire will vibrate your seat.  If you have any type of vibrations in your vehicle, come in and see us.  We’ll see if it’s a balance issue or another problem.

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