7 Tips for Making Sure Your Tires Last Longer

Posted on March 27, 2023 by autorepair

Tires are an essential part of your car and keeping them in good condition is important for a safe and smooth ride. Unfortunately, many people neglect their tires until it’s too late – resulting in costly tire replacements or even worse, unsafe driving conditions. To ensure that your tires last as long as possible, here are seven tips to help you keep them in great shape: regular tire rotation; proper inflation pressure; check the tread depth regularly; avoid curbs and potholes when parking; drive with caution on hot pavement; inspect the sidewalls for any damage or wear-and-tear signs; and replace old tires before they become dangerous.

By following these simple steps, you can protect yourself from unnecessary expense while maintaining a safe driving experience.

Achieve Ultimate Tire Longevity With These 7 Tips

Tire Rotation and Balancing

Tire rotation and balancing is one of the best ways to extend the life of your tires. This involves regularly switching out your tires, placing the front ones on the rear and vice versa. Not only does this help even out any uneven wear that may be occurring, it also prevents bald spots from appearing sooner than expected. You should get your tires rotated every 5,000 to 8,000 miles or according to the manufacturer’s guidelines – whichever comes first.

Tire Pressure

Another important step in tire care is making sure the pressure is correct for each individual tire. This can typically be found on a label inside the driver-side door jamb or on the glove compartment door. Underinflated tires can lead to reduced gas mileage as well as worn-out tires faster than usual. Conversely, overinflated tires can create a bumpy ride and can also wear down the center of the tire quicker.

Tire Tread

It’s important to check your tire tread depth on a regular basis in order to ensure that you have sufficient traction. The best way to do this is by using a reliable tread depth gauge or penny test – placing a penny upside down in between each groove and checking if Lincoln’s head is still visible; if it is, then your tread has become too shallow. If the tread has become too shallow, replace your tires immediately for safety reasons.

Parking Tips

When parking your car, always try to avoid curbs and potholes. Driving over these obstacles can potentially cause damage to your tires, such as punctures or bulges. If you have to drive over them, make sure to do so slowly and cautiously.

Driving in Hot Weather

When driving on hot pavement during summer months, keep an eye out for any potential tire damage. The heat can cause the rubber to expand quickly which can result in a blowout if it’s driven at high speeds. Make sure to be extra careful when driving on hot asphalt or concrete – reducing speed and keeping an eye out for anything that might indicate tire trouble.

Tire Sidewalls

Inspecting the sidewalls of your tires is another important step in making sure they last longer. Look for any signs of wear-and-tear such as cracks, blisters, or missing chunks. Also, make sure to check for any punctures or bulges that could indicate a more serious problem.

Tire Replacement

Finally, it’s important to replace your old tires before they become dangerous. Tires that have aged past six years should be inspected closely and replaced if necessary – even if there are no visible signs of damage. This is because the rubber compounds used in tire manufacturing can break down over time due to exposure to the elements and other factors, making them less effective in providing safe traction on the road.

Get Optimal Tire Performance Year-Round

By following these seven tips, you can ensure that your tires last as long as possible while maintaining their performance and safety. Taking care of your car’s tires is essential for a smooth ride and peace of mind. So, remember to routinely inspect your tires, rotate them regularly, maintain proper pressure and replace old ones in a timely manner. By doing so, you’ll be able to protect yourself from unnecessary expense while maintaining the best performance from your car.

Are you looking for a qualified auto repair shop that offers the most competitive rates for tire services? Contact Northeast Auto Service at 317-475-1846 for professional tire service and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Request a free estimate, or schedule service, today.

5 Reasons Why Your Car is Shaking

Posted on July 15, 2022 by autorepair

Cars are meant to move in all sorts of ways, but shaking, vibrating, and bobbing are not considered normal in terms of conventional automotive performance. If your vehicle is showing any signs of odd movement like shaking, it is important to diagnose the problem and resolve the issue before any more damage results.

Continue reading to learn the top 5 reasons why your car might be shaking, plus where to get dealership level automotive service and repair at neighborhood prices.

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Why Does Your Car Have the Shakes?

Car shaking and vibrating are not symptoms you should ever ignore. In most cases, such movements are indicative of a serious underlying mechanical problem. Other times, it can be something simple like uneven tire tread wear. Regardless of why your car is shaking, it is important that you take it into your local Indianapolis mechanic as soon as possible to diagnose and resolve the issue. The longer you wait to repair whatever it is causing your car to shake or vibrate, then the worse your vehicle’s condition will get. This means costlier and more invasive repairs.

Whether the vibrating and shaking are happening intermittently, or every single time you drive, you can help your mechanic diagnose the issue by recounting when the shaking takes place. Does your car shake when you’re in idle? Does it shake intermittently as you drive? Does your car shake when you start the vehicle but then stops shaking as you begin to drive? Do you hear any odd sounds when your car begins to shake? Have you been in an accident recently, even a minor one like running over a squirrel? This is all important information that your mechanic will need to know in order to efficiently diagnose the issue and facilitate the needed repair.

5 Common Causes for a Shaking Car

Although there are many reasons why a car might be shaking and vibrating, the top 5 reasons typically involve issues with the wheels, tires, engine, or steering and suspension system. These are the areas your mechanic will focus on first as they begin the process of deciphering the issues causing your car shakes.

Tires

As mentioned earlier, sometimes cars will begin shaking if they have low or uneven tire tread. Imbalanced tires can also cause cars to shake. You might just need routine tire service to correct the issue, such as rotation and alignment, tire inflation, or tire replacement.

Wheels

If you can feel the shaking beneath your feet coming up through the floorboards, particularly at higher speeds near 50 miles an hour, the wheels could be to blame. A routine wheel balance should set you straight. However, it could be due to loosen lug nuts or broken wheel bearings, which are both easy and inexpensive to repair.

Steering and Suspension

Your steering and suspension system are responsible for keeping your car steady as you drive over rough terrain. If something is mechanically off within your steering and suspension, such as a bent axle, damaged CV joint, or faulty driveshaft, your car may begin to bounce or bobble as you drive when you reach higher speeds. Although much different from shaking and vibrating, this is still a problem that needs immediate attention.

Engine

If your car begins to shake when you are stopped in idle, it is likely due to mechanical issues within the engine. In most cases, spark plug replacement is the solution. Other than spark plugs, car shaking could be caused from dirty or clogged air filters, loose motor mounts, or disconnected spark plug wires.

Brakes

Car shaking can also present itself when the car brakes are engaged. If your car begins to shake or vibrate when you press down on the brake pedal, the issue could likely be due to worn-out brake pads or warped brake rotors. If you smell a burning order when you hit the brakes, you could have a brake caliper that’s stuck. All of these issues can be resolved with the help of a licensed mechanic.

Are you looking for a qualified automotive repair shop in Indy to resolve your car shaking issue at an affordable price? Northeast Auto Service at 317-475-1846 for superior, ASE licensed auto repair and service in Indianapolis, Indiana. We service all make and model vehicles.

Car Tire FAQS

Posted on May 3, 2017 by autorepair

Car Maintenance 317-475-1846

Our tires are one of the most important components on our vehicles. Without proper tire maintenance, you can risk damaging several other areas of your car or truck, as well as, reduce its overall performance value. Three aspects are most important when it comes to the tires on your car or truck: matching the proper tire-type to your particular vehicle, purchasing high-quality tires, and regular tire maintenance. If you meet these three standards for tires, then you are in good shape! If not, you need to get started learning about tire maintenance and care.

Until then, review some frequently asked questions regarding topics like tire pressure, tire load, and more.

What is a Tire Tread Rating?How Do I Do the Tire Tread Penny Trick?

This is a trick to test tire tread depth. Almost all states have a mandatory minimum for tire tread depth. In Indiana, this tire tread depth minimum is 2/32 of an inch for passenger car tires. This is measured from the top of the tire tread indicator, down to the top of the tread. You can use a penny to test this because the lettering over Abe Lincoln’s head on a penny measures out to exactly 2/32 of an inch tall! Fascinating isn’t it? If you can see the letters, your tread is too low!

Does Front and Back Tire Tread Have to Match?

Tire manufacturers design the particular tread pattern on tires. The science behind tread patterns is that it is supposed to enhance traction, channel mud, water, and snow away, and more. These tread patterns, can however, create a condition known as “tread steer” which causes the grooves to catch areas of the road that are irregular. This is not an issue if both the front and rear tires have different tread patterns. It is only a problem is tires on the same axel have different tread patterns.

How Do I Calculate Tire Load?

Tire loads are measured in ratings, and expressed in alpha-numeric or alpha characters. There are two parts to a tire load rating, a front and back, both defining how much weight your tires can safely manage when properly mounted and inflated. Tire load ratings will vary depending on the vehicle you drive. To calculate your tire load rating, you need to have your vehicle weighed, and then you will need to compensate for weight distribution. For many vehicles, this is 70-30, front to rear.

Indianapolis Auto Service

Northeast Auto Service 317-475-1846

Call Northeast Auto at 317-475-1846 for affordable auto repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. We provide domestic and foreign car repair for all make and model vehicles. On top of competitive prices, we also offer car repair coupons and discounts! Call 317-475-1846 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis auto service, today.