Sometimes, taking care of your car can be such a hassle. Yet, the perils of neglecting your vehicle are even greater. Getting stranded late at night or worse – suffering a blowout on the highway – is dangerous. When you need a dependable, Kernersville tire replacement store, trust Havoline® Xpress Lube of Kernersville.
The Importance Of Good Tires
Tires are the only part of your car that make contact with the road. Having good tires is important for fuel economy, handling, and safety. Certainly, your tires need to be in good condition at all times to perform their function.
For example, under-inflated tires will affect your fuel economy. Moreover, worn tires won’t grip the road as well as new ones impacting your car’s handling. Finally, old tires can’t stop as well as new tires when applying the brakes.
Signs You May Need New Tires
Each month, you should check the pressure and condition of your tires. Regular inspections can help you spot problems and let you know when you need new wheels:
1. Worn treads
Sufficient tread depth is extremely important for driving in bad weather. Treads siphon water away allowing the tire to maintain traction with the road. If the tread on your tires is less than 1/16 of an inch, it’s time to replace them.
Today, many manufacturers have made checking tread depth easy by including indicator bars in the tire grooves. When the indicators nearly match the height of the ribs, you need new tires.
2. Cracks In The Tires
Exposure to sunlight, extreme temperatures, and chemicals can cause tires to deteriorate and crack. Sometimes, cracks can extend deep into the rubber affecting the tire’s durability.
3. Bulges On Tires
When you hit potholes, debris, or curbs, you can damage your tires resulting in a bulge. Driving with a bulge is dangerous as you may experience a blowout at any time.
4. Tire pressure Light Illuminates
Automakers equip cars with dashboard indicator lights to let you know something is wrong. An illuminated tire pressure light indicates your tires are outside of the recommended air pressure range. Often, you may just need to adjust your pressure. However, sometimes an illuminated light is a sign of a bigger problem.
5. Exposed Cords Showing Through The Rubber
Manufacturers use cords to maintain the shape of the tire. Lying just beneath the rubber, you might see them if your tires experience excessive wear. Sometimes, misaligned tires, over-inflated, or underinflated tires can wear away rubber faster. Don’t wait to replace your tires because it’s extremely dangerous to drive on tires with exposed cords.
6. Age Of Your Tires
Even if you drive occasionally, carefully, and maintain your tires, they still won’t last forever. Exposure to UV light and oxygen will break down rubber weakening your tires. Thus, regardless of tread wear, you should replace your tires every 3-5 years.
Cost To Replace Your Tires
Typically, your car will require a specific size of tire which you can find in your owner’s manual. Aside from size, you can choose all-season, touring, or high-performance tires. You also have your choice of brand.
Before buying the cheapest tire, keep in mind that not all manufacturers use the same materials. Thus, you’ll find differences in durability, quality, and performance.
Generally, after you purchase your tires, there are some extra fees. First, you must pay for the mounting and balancing of the tires. You should also have your mechanic fix any problems with your alignment to avoid premature wear on your new tires. Finally, most states, including NC, impose a scrap tire disposal tax.
Kernersville Tire Replacement Shop – FAQs
Whether you do a lot of driving or a little bit, maintaining your tires is crucial to your safety. Yet, even just buying the right set of tires can be so confusing. Below we’ve answered a few questions related to Kernersville tire replacement.
Can I Change Only 1 Tire?
Sometimes, car owners think they can save some money by only replacing 1 tire. Often, doing so presents additional problems other than a flat tire.
Generally, there’s the issue of different tread depths between your new and old tires. This will affect your car’s handling and braking. Additionally, the difference in tread depth can affect your suspension system putting stress on your vehicle.
Do New Tires Come With A Warranty?
While all tire manufacturers offer some type of warranty, the type and length of the warranty differ considerably:
- Mileage warranty
- Workmanship and materials
- Limited road hazard
Usually, tire manufacturers offer a mileage warranty guaranteeing you a certain number of miles before they wear out. Typically, you’ll need your original receipt and proof you’ve rotated the tires on schedule.
Of course, consumers want manufacturers to stand behind their products. Thus, the workmanship and materials warranty protects you from defects in the materials or the manufacturing process.
Finally, a few tire manufacturers also offer a limited road hazard warranty. Generally limited to 1 year, this warranty may cover you if a pothole damages your tire.
Still confused about which tires are the best for your vehicle? Come visit us at Havoline® Xpress Lube of Kernersville for expert help. We want to be your destination when searching for a Kernersville tire replacement or any other car care service. Our ASE-certified mechanics can tackle:
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