Taking care of your tires is an important part of your vehicle maintenance. If you need a tire air pump near me, we can help here at Kernersville Auto Center. Actually, we can help you create a complete car care plan. Here’s what you need to know about tire maintenance for your vehicle.
Tires and Air Pressure
Do you need to put air in your tires? The amount of air in your tires is measured through air pressure, and every tire is different. Most car tires need a psi of 32 to 35, but it depends on the specific tire brand. Tires typically have the recommended psi printed on the tire itself, so you never have to guess.
When your tires are under-inflated, you could experience a number of issues, including the following:
- Extra wear and tear from the increased friction
- Poor gas mileage
- Less stable handling
- An increased chance that a pothole or debris will cause a puncture
Additionally, if your tire’s air pressure is low, there is an increased change that you will experience a blow out, especially when driving at higher speeds on the highway. Many drivers will lose control during a blow out, which can cause more damage and is, of course, extremely unsafe.
It’s also extremely important that you never over-inflate your tires. You should not fill your tires to the maximum amount. Instead, only fill them to the recommended amount. Funny enough, over-inflating your tires can cause some of the same problems as under-inflating them, such as poor handling and excess wear and tear.
If you are unsure about how much air to put in your tires, stop by our shop. One of our mechanics would be happy to assist you.
Nitrogen for Your Tires
Most drivers choose compressed air for their tires. This is the default option offered by manufacturers. However, you may instead wish to consider nitrogen. Is nitrogen for your tires worth it?
First, it’s important to consider that your results will vary when switching to nitrogen. However, many drivers report a number of benefits including:
- Better fuel economy
- Reduced oxidization inside the tires, which prevents damage
- Improved handling (i.e. a smoother ride)
When you use nitrogen, it also escapes your tires more slowly. So, you’ll have to look for a tire air pump near me less often. Not only is it more convenient, but you get all the benefits of properly inflated tires that we mentioned previously.
You can learn more about nitrogen for your tires here. The good news? You can simply try it out, and if you don’t see improvements, you can go back to using compressed air instead. You don’t have to stick to nitrogen forever.
Tire Tread and General Vehicle Maintenance
Along with keeping your tires properly inflated, you’ll want to ensure that you change your tires when you have worn tread. You’ll typically need tires every few years, but it depends on your driving habits, vehicle make/model, and the type of tires you put on your car. Even if the tread still has some life left in it, most tire manufacturers recommend replacing your tires after 6+ years of use, since the tires can break down and are more likely to blow out after this point.
You can easily check your tire tread at home using a penny. Put the penny in the tread with Lincoln’s head upside down. If you can see the top of his head, it’s time for new tires. This means that your tread has less than 1/16 of an inch left. Tire inspection is part of the annual state vehicle inspection you’ll need to schedule, so our mechanics will check your tread at this point as well.
Along with tire maintenance, our certified mechanics can help you with other necessary vehicle maintenance, including oil changes, brake replacement or repair, transmission work, and more. We can help you develop a vehicle maintenance plan so you know exactly when to bring your car to our shop for service. Keeping your car well maintained is the best way to extend the life of the vehicle.
FAQs about Finding a Tire Air Pump Near Me
If you are having issues with your tires, set up an appointment at our shop as soon as possible. We’ll help you figure out the issue and make recommendations for how to fix any problem. We’re happy to answer any question. In fact, our team has experience explaining complex car problems to our customers, even if you don’t know much about car care. Here are a few commonly asked questions about finding a tire air pump near me:
How often do I need to fill up my tires?
Tires need air only when they are below the recommended psi. Many modern cars will indicate this on the dashboard to alert you if the psi is too low. You can also check your air pressure from time to time using an inexpensive at-home gauge.
What should I do if I have a slow leak?
If you have a slow leak, you’ll need to either patch or replace the tire. All tires leak air very slowly, and you’ll occasionally need to fill them to the appropriate psi. However, you shouldn’t have to fill your tires every week or even every month. Tires typically leak about one psi every month. So if your tires are leaking more, come to our shop for an assessment. Click here to contact us or use the button above to schedule an appointment online.
