Do You Need Winter Tires?

You've probably heard people talk about “winter” or “snow” tires.  For many of us that travel on major roads and don't live in a place that has harsh winters, the “all season” tires will be just fine.

“Winter” or “snow” tires come are made with a different kind of tread.  They have these special raised areas on the tires that will do a better job of digging into the snow or ice, and are particularly useful if you find yourself on back roads that are not plowed, or substantial inclines.  More often than not, winter tires and chains are recommended in places like Colorado or areas with mountainous terrain.  If you live someplace with a relatively mild winter mild winter, snow tires might be overkill.

That being said, now would be a good time to make sure that the tires you do have are ready for the upcoming change in weather.  Long hot summers can be taxing on tires.  The heat starts to break down the rubber, and if you parked in direct sunlight, don't be surprised if your tires are showing some cracks.

The change in temperature will also cause your tires to expand and contract.  This kind of thing will actually change the air pressure in your tires, and cause stresses on them, too.  Don't be surprised if you get up in the morning and your tires have a little less air than they did when you went to sleep. 

With all the advances made in engines and internal technology, everything still comes back to those round rubber things.  They are the thing that keeps you safely on the road, and makes sure you stop in plenty of time.  Check them now, before the winter weather starts to fly.

Tire Trouble Taking a Toll

By know you know the old trick of putting a penny in the treads of your tires to see if you can still see the top of Lincoln’s head.  If some of Abe’s head is covered, you more or less have healthy tires.  If not… Mr. Lincoln will be very disappointed in you.

 It’s not a perfect test, and you really need to check all around the tires to be sure there isn’t uneven wear, bulges, or cracks.  But, it’s a good place to start.

Here are some other things to consider:  How exposed to the elements are your tires?  Places with extreme swings in temperatures and harsh weather conditions can shorten the life of a tire.  So can having tires exposed to the sun and air for long periods of time.  If possible, park in a covered area during the day to extend life.

Also, be sure to pick fresh tires.  All tires are stamped with a production date so that you know how old the tires are before you buy them.  By law, tires have to be clearly marked… unfortunately, the law didn’t say anything about the markings being understandable.  You may see a code that says something like “LMLR5107.”  Focus on those last numbers and you’ll see that the tire was manufactured on the 51^st week of 2007.   “PQRR313” would suggest it was made in January of 2013.   

That date is pretty important because after 7 to 10 years, the rubber just isn’t as good as it used to be.  If your “new” tires are already 3 or 4 years old, you may not get the 6 years/60,000 miles you were expecting.

Proper inflation, stay away from rusty nails, see how Lincoln’s head is doing once in a while… and you should have safe tires for your nextjourney.

5 Noises Your Car Makes That Means It Needs Help

“The engine makes a clicking noise when I hit 40.”

“I hear whistling.”

“My brakes squeak”

We hear these phrases a lot and you may have heard these noises many times in all the years you’ve driven. Here are 5 noises we think you should be concerned with when you hear them.

1.       The “Hiss” or “Whistle – When you hear this coming from the engine, it usually means a leak in a vacuum hose. If you are hearing a whistle from near your serpentine belt, that could be an issue with the alternator.

2.       A “Whine” – If you hear a whine that just won’t go away as you drive, it could be an issue with the driveline and the gears – more than likely this is a differential problem and could be costly. There’s also a chance you just need new differential fluid!

CV Joint

3.       A “Knocking” – When your car hits 40 and you hear a sound as if someone is knocking on the tires, you more than likely have a worn CV joint.  If you are traveling at low speeds and hear this, it’s possibly a failing wheel bearing. 

4.       A “Clicking” – when this comes from the engine, it’s possibly loose valves. It’s an easy fix for older cars with synthetic motor oil.

5.       A “Squeal” – Common from the brakes when you apply them, this means the metal in the brake pad is exposed and you need new brakes.

Another piece of advice – listen very closely to where the sound is coming from and have another person sit in the car, in the back seat, to listen as well. This can help you determine where it’s coming from and that helps us figure out how to fix your problem!

Making it Easy to Get Your Car Serviced

We are all busy. We get it! Sometimes, it’s easier to do something via computer rather than calling, waiting on hold or leaving a message. That’s why we have made it very easy to schedule auto services for your car or truck with all four of our locations on-line. You might not have noticed it since you are so busy.

Front End Alignment - Just one of our many services!

Here’s the link to the Nixa shop.

Here’s the link to West Springfield.

Here’s the link to North Springfield.

Here’s the link to Ozark.

Remember, we are here for you for all repair and service needs as well as regular maintenance. This is where the online appointment forms come in handy! Oil changes, brakes, tires and wheels plus alignments and nearly every other auto service your car might need routinely. We are here to help you with all these issues that, if not taken care of quickly, can compound and cost you even more!

Don’t forget, we offer free Wi-Fi if you are waiting and free shuttle if you want us to take you back to work or home.

Do Your "PART" for Your Tires!

Remember the acronym PART

When was the last time you took a good, long look at your tires? I mean really checked them over to make sure what you are driving on is safe? There is an easy way to remember what you need to do to make sure your tires are safe for the road. The acronym is PART: Pressure, Alignment, Rotation and Tread. If you do your part and follow PART, you will end up riding safer and spend less money when you need new tires down the road.

P=Pressure: This is fairly simple and one that almost everyone will remember since it is a tire. If the tires are under-inflated, that causes uneven wear (and gas mileage issues, by the way). Wear on the tires means you have less control of your vehicle during an accident. Get a tire gauge and check your tires periodically. Get into a routine and put it in your calendar. Once a month is a good amount.

A=Alignment: Your car wants to pull you to the left or right as you travel at higher speeds. Your alignment is out of whack and your front tires are facing in different directions. It happens all the time when you hit a large pothole or a curb. Make sure to get this taken care of right away when you feel that pull. Misalignment can cause major damage to your tires and cause accidents.

R=Rotation: Front tires wear faster than the back because they guide the car when you steer. Regular rotation eases the wear and it’s good to get this done every two oil changes or 7,000 miles. Some manuals have suggested times…be sure to follow those.

T=Tread: This is what grips the tire to the road. Other than the air inside your tire, this is the most important attribute. Without proper tread, the rain or snow or even some unseen liquid on the road can mean the difference between arriving safely or not arriving at all. When you check pressure, be sure to check tread. It’s really easy if you have a penny! Point Honest Abe’s head down into the tread. If it touches his head, you’re OK. If you put the penny into the tread and there is space between his head and the tread, you are low. Check several parts of the tires, as tread is different along the entirety.

Remember: PART. It’s the best defense against bad tires and possible accidents.