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Things You Need To Know About Tire Traction

The quality of your tires can affect your car’s performance and safety. One of the most important aspects that tire manufacturers would focus on is tire traction. But, as a regular driver and car owner, you may not realize its importance.

Tire Traction Defined

Simply put, your tire traction is a measurement of tire performance. It’s the resistance and friction between your tire and the ground. Whenever the ground is wet or slippery, you’ll lose traction and road grip, making your car skid and lose control.

Tread Compound and Pattern

A tire’s performance is often determined by its tread compounds and patterns. Tread compounds are the materials used in various portions of the tire that come in contact with the road. This can determine the tire’s performance on dry surfaces. Rubber with different chemical compositions is often used in tire construction.

Tread patterns, on the other hand, are the grooves and designs that touch the road. Certain tread patterns can determine how a car grips, handles, and performs under specific driving situations. Some are great for water displacement and countering hydroplaning, while others are made for high-performance driving.

Picking the Right Tire for Your Vehicle

While a lot of people may think that all tires provide the same traction, that’s not always the case. Not all tires in the market can excel in the same conditions. For example, off-road and mud tires are perfect for uneven and rocky roads. However, if you want a smoother ride on paved roads and highways, touring or performance tires can give you better traction.

The type of vehicle can also come into play when determining what kind of tire you need. A sedan will require a different set of tires compared to a truck or an SUV. Familiarizing yourself with your vehicle lets you determine which type you should pick for optimal car performance.

If you’re on the lookout for a new set of tires that can cater to your specific driving needs, be sure to contact us at Graham Tire today. We can look at your vehicle and recommend the perfect tire. We also do tire repair and other related car services.

Simple Tire Inspection Tips for Your Vehicle

We cannot stress enough how important maintenance is for your vehicle. By having your car inspected from time to time, you’ll be able to save thousands of dollars in expensive repairs. A major part of your regular vehicle maintenance is your tires. With that in mind, here are some good tire inspection tips that you can do.

Check the Tire Pressure

One of the most important things you need to check while conducting your routine tire maintenance is pressure. Driving on poorly inflated tires can lead to a variety of problems:

Overinflated tires are more vulnerable to damage, which can lead to a sudden blowout while driving on the road.
On the other hand, underinflated tires wear out faster because they need to compensate for the lack of air.

Tires have their own recommended PSI levels to keep them in good condition. Properly inflated tires can give you better mileage, fuel economy, and a longer tire life span.

Inspect Your Tire’s Tread Depth

Tread depth is the distance between the tire’s tread and the bottom of its grooves. The more you drive, the thinner the tread gets due to constant wear and tear. If you have too little tire tread, it can cause unsafe driving conditions. Your tires lose their grip on the road, making it harder to control your car, especially if the roads are wet.

The minimum tread depth requirement is at least 2/32 of an inch. It’s recommended that once your depth gets to 2/32, it’s time for you to buy a new set of tires to keep you safe on the road.

To know if you still have enough tread, you have to do the coin test. Simply insert an upside-down penny or a quarter in one of your tire’s treads. If you can see the top of Lincoln or Washington’s head, that means you need to have the tires replaced as soon as possible.

Rotate and Balance Your Tires

To have an equal amount of wear in all of your tires, you need to rotate your tires. Tire rotation is the process of moving your front tires to the back and vice versa. It helps even out wear and prolongs the life of your tires.

However, rotating your tires isn’t enough. After rotation, you need to balance them as well. This is the process of correcting the uneven distribution of weight in the wheels.

Keeping your tires in good condition prevents any unexpected accidents on the road. If you need tire repair services, all you need to do is contact Graham Tire. Our expert mechanics and tire professionals will help you maintain your vehicle and protect your investment.

Keeping Your Muffler Exhaust System in Good Condition

Car owners and drivers often overlook a car’s muffler exhaust system because they aren’t always in view. But their maintenance and repair should always be high on the priority list because of how important they are.

Keeping your muffler in its tip-top shape will help your car perform better and prevent you from paying for expensive car repairs. Here are a few things you need to know about your muffler’s maintenance.

What Can You Do To Keep Your Muffler Well-Maintained?

Failing to take care of your vehicle’s muffler exhaust system can cause bigger issues than failing an emission test. Here are a few things you can do to keep it well-maintained.

Look Out for the Warning Signs

The first thing you need to do is look out for any warning signs in the exhaust system. Common signs would be loud noises, excessive smoke, and foul smells. Leaking fluids from the exhaust, rust, loose parts and reduced fuel economy can also indicate that maintenance is required immediately and should be done by a professional mechanic.

Keep Your Undercarriage Clean

Since muffler problems are due to moisture exposure, keeping your undercarriage clean can already go a long way. You should park your car in a dry place to let your car’s underside dry off. Not only will it protect your undercarriage from rust, but also protects it from prolonged exposure to weather.

When cleaning your car, use a pressure washer to clean off the undercarriage. It will remove salt that can corrode your car’s underside. Many automatic car washes can also clean your undercarriage, so utilize this feature whenever you can.

Have Your Engine Checked During Car Maintenance

A poorly performing engine can lead to premature muffler failure. Whenever you need to get your car checked by a mechanic, be sure to address any engine problems as well. Keeping your engine well-tuned and performing properly can prevent many muffler problems in the future.

Keeping your mufflers performing well does not need to be complicated. If you ever need an auto repair shop that you can depend upon, contact us at Graham Tire. We will look into your vehicle and give you top-quality car service. We have four locations within Lincoln, NE.

Jump-starting Your Car During an Emergency 101

Jump-starting your vehicle gives your car battery enough energy to let you drive to the nearest car repair shop. But if done incorrectly, it can lead to serious damage to your vehicle. Here are some things you need to keep in mind to jump-start your car correctly.

Things You’ll Need

To jump-start a car, you’ll need a pair of working jumper cables and another vehicle that can supply enough power from their battery. Avoid using hybrid or electric cars for this because they can damage your vehicle’s internal electronics. Do not attempt to jump-start a damaged or leaking car battery. Doing so can start a fire.

How To Jump-start Your Car

Once you have the necessary things for this operation, jump-starting your car will be easy. Here are some steps that you need to follow.

Step 1: Park the two vehicles close to each other and turn both of their engines off.

Step 2: Connect the red cables to the positive terminals of the batteries of the two cars.

Step 3: Connect one end of the black cable to the negative terminal of the good battery. Meanwhile, attach the other end of the black cable to an unpainted metal surface away from the disabled battery. You can attach it to the chassis if there’s no other metal nearby. Never connect the black cable to the dead battery’s negative terminal, as it can lead to an explosion.

Step 4: Keep both engines off for about three minutes before starting the working car’s engine for about a minute.

Step 5: After a minute has passed, turn on the car’s engine with the dead battery and leave both vehicles idle for about 10 minutes.

Step 6: Turn off both cars and carefully disconnect the leads in the reverse order they were connected. Make sure that the leads of the cables do not come in contact with each other as you remove them.

Step 7: Try turning the car’s ignition with the dead battery to see if it will start up properly.

Once you’ve successfully powered up your car, it’s best if you drive it for at least 15-30 minutes so it can let the alternator add power to the battery. If you’re still having trouble starting the car, contact a professional mechanic as soon as possible. Get in touch today with Graham Tire. We have four locations around Lincoln, NE.

Tips on Doing a Tire Check

Having healthy tires gives you maximum safety on the road while driving. Doing a thorough tire check lets you be more aware of your tires’ current status and detect any present issues. You may be wondering how to do this properly. Here are a few things that can help when doing a tire inspection.

Look for Signs of Wear and Tear

An excellent way to know if your tires are still in good condition is to look for any signs of wear and tear. If you see that your tires have irregular tire wear and poor sidewall condition, then it’s time for you to buy a new set.

Visually inspect the tires and gently rub your hand over the tread. If you notice any irregularities in the pattern, they indicate uneven tire wear. You can also try wetting the tire and driving over a clean, smooth area. The tire prints left behind can show you the current status of your tires.

Another sign is the occurrence of vibrations while you’re driving. This means that your tires are already uneven, and they are in old and deformed condition.

Evaluate Your Tires’ Tread

Healthy tires have enough tread depth to ensure traction, especially if it’s rainy. Driving on bald tires on wet surfaces results in a dangerous condition known as hydroplaning. Hydroplaning happens when your tires lose their grip on the road because water is not channeled properly, making you slip and slide.

A great way to inspect your tread is by doing the coin test. Insert a small coin, like a quarter, upside down inside the tread. If you can see the top of George Washington’s head, that means that your tires are already worn out.

Inspect Your Tire Pressure

Another thing you should look out for is your tires’ air pressure. Tires generally lose about 1psi (pounds per square inch) every month. That means if you don’t look after them, you can end up with a flat tire.

Your car has a tire pressure monitoring system that warns you if your tire pressure is already too low. Use a tire pressure gauge to check if your tires are properly inflated.

Rotate Your Tires

It is generally recommended to have your tires rotated. Rotating them evens out the wear and tear and can even extend their life. It would be best if you did this every 5,000 to 8,000 miles. If you’re unsure, consult the owner’s manual or have your tires checked by a tire specialist.

Tire health is an important aspect to be mindful of when keeping your car in good condition. Contact Graham Tire today for car maintenance and additional tire services.

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