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What You Need To Know About Tire Valve Stems

We all know how significant tires are to any vehicle. They largely contribute to a car’s handling, suspension, and, of course, safety. A tire may look simple at first glance, but it comprises several components. One of them is the tire valve stem.

The valve stem is that small rubber tube protruding from the tire. It is where you attach the air pump head/fitting to inflate the tire or let air escape to reduce pressure.

While there are a few kinds of valve stems, the one used on almost all motor vehicles is the Schrader valve. Let’s familiarize ourselves with its parts for easy reference.

Parts of a Schrader Valve Stem

Body/Stem — the rubber tube that serves as the passage for air
Core — the primary sealing device
Tip — the threaded metal part where the cap is screwed on and off
Cap — the screw cap that protects the core from dust, debris, and moisture

How It Works

At the heart of a Schrader tire valve stem is the valve core, which has a spring-loaded pin in the center (you can see it from the top). The spring, coupled with the internal tire pressure, helps the pin stop air from escaping. The air passage only opens when the pin is depressed.

To fill air into the tire, simply attach the pump head to the threaded tip of the valve stem (this will push down the center pin) and start pumping. Follow the recommended PSI levels for your vehicle to maintain optimal performance. Under-inflating or over-inflating can have adverse effects such as premature wear on tires and poor fuel economy.

To reduce tire pressure (in case you go above the recommended PSI or drive on dry sand), use your thumbnail or any tool that can fit through the tip’s opening and press down the center pin to let some air out. Use a tire pressure gauge or a tire deflator kit (with a built-in gauge) to check the PSI levels.

How To Maintain the Valve Stem on Your Tires

Unless you’re inflating or deflating your tires, make sure the caps are in place to prevent debris or moisture from accumulating in the valve. Check the stems periodically for holes or cuts, as they can cause a “slow leak.” If they are damaged, have a qualified tire technician check and replace them to save you effort and time.

If you need quality auto tire repair services, reach out to Graham Tire in Lincoln, NE. Our tire experts work by industry standards and deliver excellent customer service.

Facts You Need To Know About Your Tire Shoulder

There are many parts in a single tire, and they all play a significant role in the tire working in your car correctly. One of these parts is your tire’s shoulder. It is the portion of your tire tread that is located between the center of the tire and the sidewall.

A tire shoulder’s appearance can vary depending on the tire design. However, it can look identical to the rest of the treads in certain designs. Certain tire types, like off-road tires, can even have a different tread type for their shoulder altogether. If you want to learn more about your tire shoulder, here is some information about it to familiarize yourself:

The Purpose of Your Tire Shoulder

The primary purpose of your tire shoulder is to provide necessary stability to your car as you drive around corners. It can also aid in keeping traction on the road. Besides these, it can also offer protection and support to your sidewall and tread.

A tire shoulder can show you the overall quality of your tires and provide you with some insight into if there’s something wrong with your tire or alignment. Having a worn-out shoulder is often a sign that you may need to have a wheel alignment soon.

Maintaining Your Tire Shoulder

One way to keep your tire shoulders in good condition is to ensure that you have proper tire pressure. Underinflating your tires can cause the sides of your tires to wear out faster than usual because more parts of the tire make contact on the road. Doing so can build up heat and pressure and affect other parts of your car, such as the suspension and chassis.

Overinflating your tires makes you more prone to sudden tire blowouts. Excessive pressure can also distort your tires, decrease your traction on the road, and give your tires uneven tread wear.

Do keep in mind that if you have any punctures on the shoulder of your tire, it is no longer repairable, and the entire tire needs to be replaced immediately. The reason is that the shoulder is essential for the stability of the whole tire. Any punctures compromise the tire’s overall structural integrity and can no longer be safely repaired.

The best way to keep your shoulder in good condition is by conducting tire inspection and maintenance by a mechanic once a month or every 5000 to 6000 miles. Should the need for expert tire repair arise, all you need to do is contact Graham Tire and schedule an appointment.

Facts and Information About Your Tire’s Contact Patch

Car tires may look simple enough for the average individual. One can make the mistake of thinking that they’ve been the same ever since vulcanized rubber tires were invented in the 1880s. However, tires have come a long way since then.

Modern tires are highly engineered and manufactured. They can provide excellent traction and performance on the road. An important aspect that can determine its overall performance is its contact patch.

Contact Patches Defined

In essence, a tire contact patch, also known as the tread footprint, is the area of your tire that makes physical contact with the road whenever the vehicle moves. The tire contact patch area is composed of tread, grooves, and tire design features.

How It Works for Your Tire

Contact patches are designed to offer a smooth and safe ride in various driving conditions, whether you’re driving in rain, snow, or hot weather. The size and shape of the contact patch can affect the way the tire performs in certain driving situations.

For example, tires with higher profiles have narrower patches that offer a smoother ride and easier control on the road. These are often found on passenger cars and light trucks. On the other hand, tires with a lower profile tend to have shorter and wider patches for traction and cornering stability. These can be found on high-performance tires installed on sports cars.

Factors That Can Affect the Contact Patch

As the car remains in contact with the road, the tire’s contact patch will continuously change its shape based on the wheel itself and the shape of the surface. Bumpy roads, uneven surfaces, and loose materials such as dirt and gravel can alter the shape of the contact patch.

Besides this, the dimensions of the contact patch area can also be affected by how much load is being carried by the tires. The more weight placed onto the tires, the wider the patch gets.

The optimal contact patch of the tire can be achieved by properly inflating the tire based on the recommendations of the manufacturer. If it’s underinflated or overinflated, it can drastically affect the tire’s overall performance. On top of that, it can also result in irregular tire wear that can shorten the lifespan of your tires.

If you’re looking for professional tire repair services, contact Graham Tire and schedule an appointment. Our expert mechanics will recommend you a tire that matches your vehicle. Get in touch with our team today.

Are Repairs Covered by Your Car Insurance?

If you need a car repair, having insurance can help cover the costs. As a responsible car owner, you should know what kinds of car repairs are covered by your insurance. However, there is no one-size-fits-all car coverage. Different kinds of repairs require various types of insurance. If you’re not sure which one covers what kind of damage, read on to learn more.

Which Repairs Are Covered by My Insurance?

If the damage resulted from a collision or an accident, collision insurance would cover it. It can help you pay for the damage caused by car crashes. Rolling over in a car accident and hitting potholes are also covered. This insurance will become handy whenever you get into an accident.

Comprehensive insurance will help you pay for non-accident repairs and other incidents that are beyond your control. This coverage provides protection from fires, natural disasters, theft, vandalism, falling objects, and even animal damage. For example, if your car was damaged because of a riot, comprehensive insurance can help you with repairs.

Repairs resulting from unexpected mechanical issues are covered by mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI). MBIs focus on the internal systems and components of a vehicle. Issues like brake failure, faulty suspensions, and steering problems are covered by MBIs.

Is My Car Eligible for Car Repair Insurance?

Today, most insurance companies that offer MBIs will only approve the claim if the car meets their requirements. Usually, they will require a vehicle to be of a certain age and mileage. Some insurance companies would only offer coverage to newer vehicles with low mileage. Certain car types are also excluded from claiming a policy.

Specific requirements may vary between companies, so double-check with your insurer to make sure if your car is eligible. Also, keep in mind that regular maintenance and wear and tear are not covered by any insurance.

If you need to learn more about maintaining your vehicle, get in touch with Graham Tire today. Our expert mechanics can help you with your car problem. Check out our four key locations in Lincoln, NE today.

A Quick Guide to Warning Lights

You may have encountered a situation like this before. You’re driving down the road when all of a sudden, you hear a beeping noise followed by a symbol flashing on your dashboard, forcing you to pull over. As a car owner, you should know what these warning lights mean.

Reasons for Having Warning Indicators

All cars have warning lights to let the driver know of internal problems. These indicators may be displayed in either red, yellow, green, or blue, depending on their importance. Even though green and blue aren’t as urgent, it’s still advisable to double-check and consult a mechanic before using the vehicle again.

Common Warning Indicators

Now that you know why there are indicators, here are a few common warning lights and what they mean. Being familiar with these indicators can help you become a better driver and car owner.

Check Engine – This light is in the shape of a car engine and would typically be in yellow. It tells the driver that there’s an issue with the car’s engine. As soon as this warning appears, it’s best to postpone any trips and see a mechanic.
Engine Oil Pressure – It is a red warning light in the shape of an old-fashioned oil lamp. If this lights up, it means there’s an issue with the car’s oil pressure. If the oil is not circulating properly, there will be more friction between the parts, making your car perform worse.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System – This warning light is in the shape of a half-circle with an exclamation point. It can be indicated in either red or yellow. When this flashes, it signifies incorrect tire pressure. Pull over to the nearest tire inflator and fix the issue immediately as it is dangerous to drive on under or overinflated tires.
Engine Temperature – This warning symbol is a red thermometer. It tells the driver that the car’s engine has overheated. Overheating can be due to a variety of reasons. The coolant may be low, or you may have a leak in your cooling system.
Low Fuel Warning – Low fuel warning is fairly self-explanatory. It’s in the shape of a gasoline pump and indicates that you need to refuel.

Those are just some of the common warning lights and their meanings. If you need an engine check or car maintenance, contact Graham Tire. Our highly qualified mechanics perform top-notch automotive repair and mechanic services. We have four locations in Lincoln, NE ready to serve you.

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