#carmaintenance Archives - Graham • Your Tire Store Next Door

Basic Information About Tire Replacement

An integral part of car maintenance is tire replacement. Sometimes, tires get too old or too worn out to be usable. Neglecting to replace them at the appropriate time poses a significant risk to your safety. Therefore, it’s essential to know when to change your tires. If you want to learn more, here are some basic tips to know when they should be replaced and how often:

Check the Tread Depth
New tires often have 10/32nds of an inch of tread. The tread is there to help the vehicle have proper traction on the road. And as you drive your car, the tread wears down due to friction. The US Department of Transportation has set the average legal minimum tread depth at 2/32nds of an inch. However, driving with this kind of tread is often unsafe.

There are a few ways for you to inspect your tread depth. Modern tires often come with tread wear indicators. You may also use tire tread gauges to help you get an exact measurement. Lastly, you may do the quarter test, where you stick a quarter upside down between the treads. If the top of Washington’s head is visible, you may need to replace your tires.

Determine the Age by Reading the Sidewall
Even if the tires have enough tread, they may still need to be replaced due to their age. As time goes by, the rubber compound deteriorates, compromising its durability. Tires often have a life span of three to six years, depending on usage. If you’re unsure how old your current tires are, you should still be able to figure it out by reading the sidewall.

You’ll find that the tire sidewall has a series of numbers printed on them. And every tire sold in America must contain the US Department of Transportation serial number. Check the last four numbers in that code. The first two digits represent the week of manufacturing, while the last two are the year. For example, if it has “1023″, that means the tire was made on the 10th week of 2023.

Inspect the Tire for Any Damage
Any visible damage on your tires can compromise your safety on the road. In most cases, they often show on the sidewall. If you see any cracks, cups, or bulges, you may need to have them replaced. Punctures, on the other hand, can still be repaired. However, if they’re larger than a quarter-inch in diameter, replacement is the only solution.

How Often Should You Replace Tires?
Most experts recommend replacing your tires at least every six years, or whenever you reach 50,000 miles on them. However, there’s no accurate answer on when you should replace tires. If you want to be sure, contact a reliable tire company like Graham Tire. Call us to learn more.

Things To Consider When Choosing the Right Tire

A significant aspect of car maintenance revolves around tire replacement. As your vehicle travels along the road, the tires gradually wear out due to regular usage and external factors. By promptly replacing worn-out tires with a suitable set, you can enhance your vehicle’s handling, fuel efficiency, and overall driving experience.

But not everyone knows how to choose the right tire for their car. This blog discusses what you should consider if you’re on the market for a new set of tires.

Tire Size
When it comes to tires, there’s no one-size-fits-all. They come in various sizes to equip different kinds of vehicles. Fitting your car with tires too big or too small can confuse your speedometer and may even damage your ABS. It can also affect fuel economy and overall car performance.

If you’re not sure about your car’s tire size, it’s best to double-check the owner’s manual. Better yet, learn to read your tire specification, which is the numbers and letters on your tire’s sidewall. They will tell you things like your tire width, aspect ratio, wheel diameter, and speed rating, among others.

Temperature, Climate, and Season
When selecting tires for your vehicle, it’s essential to consider factors such as temperature, climate, and season. The temperature can affect tire performance, causing them to wear out more quickly in high heat or reduce traction in cold weather.

Different tire types exist for varying climate conditions, such as all-season tires for mild climates, winter tires for cold climates, or summer tires for hot and dry climates. The change of season alters weather conditions and road surfaces, making it crucial to match your tires to the season. By considering these factors, you can choose the most suitable tires for your driving conditions and ensure optimal performance and safety on the road.

Type of Driving
While most tires are great for daily driving, you can still opt for tires made for a specific operation. It’s like getting a pair of shoes designed for sports or training.

For example, performance tires are great for sports cars on race tracks and highways for better handling and road grip. Meanwhile, if you own a truck or SUV and often drive on bumpy roads, you may want all-terrain or mud-terrain tires instead. Using the wrong tire type for a specific driving situation can significantly reduce performance.

If you need brand-new tires, it’s best to contact the experts at Graham Tire in Lincoln. We are a trusted tire company that can help you find the perfect tires for your vehicle. Contact us today to learn more about our other 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.

The Importance of Rotating and Balancing Your Tires

Tire rotation is the process of moving your tires from one position to another on your car. Tire balancing, on the other hand, is the process done to eliminate any uneven points on your tires. As a responsible vehicle owner, you should be familiar with these processes and how often you should do them. Here are a few reasons why rotation and balancing are important to your car.

Reasons for Tire Rotation

Rotating your tires can be done due to a number of factors. It’s a great way to keep your tire treads as even as possible over time and makes your tires last longer. One or more tires will wear out quicker than the rest if you refrain from switching them. Replacing your tires individually also typically costs you more than buying a new set. Plus, you can use this as an opportunity to conduct tire maintenance, visually inspect their quality, and check for any damage.

Reasons for Tire Balancing

Balancing your tires is an equally important part of maintenance. This method corrects the distribution of weight around your car. When all sides of the car are equal in weight, the tires will roll properly and smoothly. By checking weight imbalances regularly, you prevent uneven tread wear and vibrations to your steering wheel. Most importantly, you’ll avoid poor gas mileage and save on fuel.

When Should You Rotate and Balance Your Tires?

Typically, how often your tires should be rotated depends on the car manufacturer. It is recommended, however, that you rotate them every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, though there are a few exceptions to this. To be absolutely sure, read the recommendations provided in your car’s manual.

Balancing is usually done along with rotation. Have your tires balanced every 5,000 to 7,500 miles or every two years, at the very least. However, if your steering wheel suddenly begins to shake and vibrate while you’re driving, you should immediately have your tires checked. You can get more information about things to look out for from a tire specialist or mechanic.

Now, you’re more familiar with what rotation and balancing are and what they can do to extend the lifespan of your tires. If you need a new set of tires or any car maintenance service, get in touch with us at Graham Tire in Lincoln, NE. Our expert mechanics will help you solve any car problem.

Warning Signs Your Car Needs Tune-Up

Car owners want to have a smooth driving experience. This is why regular maintenance is crucial. However, there are some who may not get their vehicle tuned up regularly because they think it isn’t that important. So, how should one know when a tune-up service is needed? Listed below are some indicators that a car might need a little TLC.

Stumbling or Stalling
You’ll know that your car has stumbled when you step on the gas pedal and notice a hesitation before it moves. In extreme situations your car may stall and have to be re-started. The cause may range from spark plugs needing replacement to an air filter that’s blocked.

Stumbling or stalling can be dangerous when driving through a busy intersection or while stuck in traffic. Making sure that this does not happen is a safety priority for you and your passengers.

Flashing Engine Lights
Your car turns this light on to let you know that there is a maintenance issue that needs to be addressed. The vehicle’s computer system is programmed to illuminate this part of the driver’s dashboard to inform you that something needs to be inspected by a professional mechanic. Car maintenance centers are equipped with diagnostic tools to assess and fix any auto-related problems accurately.

Fuel Economy
When you start noticing that you’re getting gas more frequently than usual, have your vehicle inspected by a professional. This may occur due to an inefficient emissions system, the fuel system may need to be serviced, or it may be time for an ignition system tune up. Boosting your car’s fuel economy will not only enhance the overall performance of your car but will save you money in the long run, too.

Get Quality Auto Tune-Up for Your Car!
When you experience any of the warning signs above, it’s best to bring your car to a qualified mechanic immediately. Here at Graham Tire, our skilled technicians will assist you in keeping your vehicle performing at a high level and provide other mileage based car services as well. Get in touch with us today to learn more!

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