Tires 101 - Automotive & Tire Tips | Lake Ridge Auto Care

31

Should You Buy a Spare Tire

posted on 8/31/2020 8:00:44 AM

Many new cars are now missing a spare tire and are coming from the factory equipped with tires or inflator kits that claim to make a spare tire unnecessary. We usually don’t think about the need for a spare tire until we need it. You should always have a spare tire in your vehicle because you never know when you’ll get a flat or puncture and be on the side of the road stranded. A spare tire and wheel provide you with a direct replacement, allowing you to become mobile again until you get a ti...

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24

Why Your Car’s Tires Are So Important

posted on 8/24/2020 12:33:10 PM

Every part of your vehicle serves a purpose, and one of the most important of these components is the tires. The main functions of a vehicle’s tires include supporting the vehicle load, transmitting traction and braking forces, absorbing road shocks, and changing and maintaining the direction of travel. They are the main contact your vehicle has with the road, and they require regular maintenance for them to continue operating at their peak. To ensure that your tires are being kept in proper w...

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17

What Happens When Tires Sit Too Long in One Place?

posted on 7/17/2020 9:12:11 AM

Your tires are your car's only connection to the road. Taking care of your tires will save you money on gas and a smoother, safer ride for you and your family. Your vehicle’s tires affect how your vehicle steers, how it brakes, and how it hugs the road. Your tires need to have the correct air pressure, tread depth, tire balance, and wheel alignment to be safe and cost-effective. If your car is left unused for an extended period of time, know that your tires and other components will still requ...

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25

Is It Safe to Drive on a Tire with a Bubble?

posted on 6/25/2020 9:36:39 AM

Bubbles in your tires are generally caused by impacts on the road. Hitting the edges of potholes, small collisions, hitting a curb and speed bumps can all cause the sidewall to bulge in your tires. Your tires should always be smooth and round, so if you notice a bubble on the sidewall or see a section of tread bulging, it’s a sign that something is very wrong, and you should stop driving immediately. Tires that have a bubble are not safe to drive. When your tire has a bubble, the fabric of the...

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15

The Importance of Tire Rotations

posted on 5/15/2020 7:53:46 AM

A crucial factor in your vehicle’s health, efficiency and performance is getting regular tire rotations. A tire rotation is when the tires of your vehicle are moved from one position on the vehicle to another. The front tires will move to the rear and the rear tires will move to the front, typically in a cross-diagonal direction, meaning they will also change sides. Your vehicle carries more weight at the front, so front tires will typically wear out faster. Tire rotation is done to prevent th...

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05

What to Know About Nitrogen-Filled Tires

posted on 5/5/2020 3:28:54 PM

Keeping your tires properly inflated is a key to getting the maximum fuel efficiency from your vehicle. Properly inflated tires also reduce tread wear, improve your car’s stopping distance, and decrease the chances of a blowout. Nitrogen-filled tires are said to have the benefit of keeping your tires inflated longer than the standard compressed air tires. The air in your tires eventually escape through the tire’s inner liner, but nitrogen-filled tires take a longer time. Routine maintenanc...

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12

Why You Should Store Your Winter Tires

posted on 3/12/2020 1:28:33 PM

Tire storage is an important factor in maximizing the life of your tires. While swapping out one set of tires for another is a challenge in itself, once your winter tires are removed, you still need to store them properly for the warm months ahead. It’s important that your tires be properly stored when they’re not in use in order to make sure they’re ready to go when the temperature drops. Storing your winter tires is beneficial because: Improper storage can result in reduced life fo...

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14

How to Protect Your Tires Against Common Road Debris

posted on 2/14/2020 10:20:29 AM

Good tires are not cheap, so it is important that you do everything you can to extend the life of your tires. Because a vehicle’s tires are the first point of contact, road hazards such as small rocks, trash, debris, and salt and chemicals can be hazardous while driving. Attempting to avoid the debris is dangerous when driving because — both visually and mentally — it is hard to process the hazard level of an object in the few seconds a driver has to react. Drivers who encounter road debris,...

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30

Tire Patterns and What They Mean

posted on 1/30/2020 3:25:32 PM

Tires are one of the most important safety and performance features of a vehicle. These specialized tools are the only part of your car which maintains direct contact with the road. This means there is a lot of planning and design put into the functionality of your tires. Look at your tires, what do you see? A mesmerizing pattern, since performance is key. The design of the tread on your tires isn’t only for aesthetic purposes. The arrangement of cuts into the rubber is done with the purpose...

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11

How is a Tire Installed?

posted on 12/11/2019 9:01:33 AM

For the safety and performance of your vehicle, your tires should be installed by an expert technician. Proper installation enables your tires to function fully and provides maximum safety. On average, a tire installation takes about 45 minutes to an hour. After you have selected the right tires for your vehicle, your tires will be expertly installed. A proper installation includes: Inspecting the lugs or wheel bolts Installing new rubber valve stems where applicable Mounting the tire...

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