Remember when? We all have life-altering events. They may not be the most positive memories, but it doesn’t matter how old we get; there are those times we will never forget. One thing you never forget is the day you headed to Florida for spring break (or somewhere else), you heard a pop, and had that blowout on the interstate. Your life flashed before your eyes.
You may not recall the date, but you’ll always have that sensation when your car swerved from one side of the road, then to the other.
How could you possibly forget? You were terrified.
Maybe you vowed right then and there to make sure your car was always in excellent condition. If so, then mission accomplished.
You are still here, and that’s what counts. It kind of makes you want to be the tire police, doesn’t it? When your husband gets in the car to head out for a business trip, you remind him, “Honey, don’t forget to check the tires.”
Now when was the last time you had those tires checked?
Your tires are crucial to your safety; if they are not in good condition, that affects your ability to brake, no matter how good the weather is. Add snow and ice to the picture, and you’ve almost certainly got a tragedy pending, putting everyone in the vehicle at risk.
Time for a Tire Inspection in Elgin
Perhaps you check your tires yourself. Maybe you walk around the car and look them over. If so, you’ll want to make sure you include the following:
- Look at the tread. Is it worn? Does it have wires sticking out? Time to head to KS Autocare in Elgin, IL.
- Have you checked the tire pressure? You can purchase a pressure gauge and keep it in your car. If you check your manual for what the reading should be and it’s down more than 5 pounds, having it inspected for a leak is a good idea.
- Got a penny? Before you toss it into the nearest wishing well, place it upside down between the tread grooves. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, your tread is too shallow.
- Uneven wear. Your tires could be out of alignment if you have more wear on one side than the other.
- If your tires are cupping, it could mean your shock absorbers are done.
- Look at the sidewalls. If they show damage, you could be looking at a potential blowout. Don’t even try to have it repaired; in this case, your tire needs replacing.
- Notice bulging? Driving with bulges on your tires is driving on borrowed time. Get to KS Autocare.
- Good, good, good vibrations – and we’re not talking about your car. If your car shakes when you drive, if there are cuts in the sidewalls, or if the tire pressure light comes on, you need those tires checked, post haste.
Of course, there are many other reasons your tires need attention from a professional. Tires are much more complicated than they appear. They aren’t merely large hollow rubber balls on the bottom of your car; they are what enable you to reach your destination safely.
Face it: sometimes, your tires need to retire. If you aren’t sure, contact us at KS Autocare, and leave the testing to us.
Tire Rotation
- Having your tires out of alignment means your balance will be off, and this can cause your tires to wear unevenly.
- Some tires have wear bars built in. If the tire tread is even with the bars, it’s time to replace it.
- Even if your tires haven’t caused any issues, they should be rotated regularly, usually every 5000-7000 miles. One suggestion is to have them rotated when your oil is changed; that way, you won’t forget this important maintenance step.
What Your Repair Shop Can Do for Your Tires
Unless you have a rack in your garage, which you probably don’t, you’ll thank your lucky stars that your favorite repair shop can check and rotate those tires for you. Wheels should be crossed from corner to corner, front to back. Try doing that in your driveway.
KS Autocare for Tire Inspection and Rotation in Elgin
Better yet, bring it to us, and we’ll:
- Check the balance and identify where the tire is out of balance.
- Look at the wheel bearings.
- Align your wheels.
- Equipped with the latest automotive technologies, we’ll use our Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Repair & Service.
- Change your tires if needed.
- Balance your tires.
It’s understandable that you don’t want to take time out of your day to have your tires rotated, but ignoring it isn’t going to keep your tires in good or drivable condition. In any case, it’s best to have it done so they don’t wear out prematurely. It’s proactive and better than shivering on the side of the road while calling a tow truck.
No matter how routine or complex your tire situation is, KS Autocare can take care of it. Our work is backed by rave reviews; give us a call today.
