What You Need to Know.
A vehicle’s usefulness can be enhanced the right tires to move it forward. It’s not only important to have the right tires, but it’s also important to know when to get them changed. It doesn’t matter if the road is smooth, rough, wet, dry, hot, cold or unpaved. Whatever challenges lie ahead, make sure your vehicle is equipped for heroic performance.
Why Are Good Tires Important?
What makes a good tire so important? Tires are needed for your vehicle to grip the road properly under most conditions. The right tread on a tire can make the difference in making a hard stop or even saving a few miles of gas. Tires should strike a healthy balance between traction, comfort, durability, efficiency and price. Modern tire manufactures put in countless hours of research and apply technology to make sure every tire that’s placed on your vehicle is up to a certain task. Pat’s Auto Service Center makes sure your tires are selected from only the best stock available such as the quality products from American Tire Distributors.
The Parts of a Tire.
Most tires are made of a blend of both natural and synthetic rubbers. Fabric, wire and chemical compounds are also used in creating a tire. Though they seem simple, tires are complex creations and each part is designed to keep your vehicle safely on the road. Here are some quick references to the different parts that make up a tire:
- Tire Belt – These internal structures are made of layers of steel, fiberglass and other materials. They mesh together in a tight weave, providing an internal “suit of armor” for the tire. The tire belts protect against punctures and keep the tread flat to the road.
- Tire Tread – This is the part of the tire that meets the road. It’s important to take note of how worn the tread of a tire is, ensuring that your vehicle has the traction it needs to avoid trouble. Good tires shouldn’t have any less than 2/32 of an inch of tread on them. A simple but effective way to check this is to use the penny test. Simply take a penny and stick it upside down into your tire’s tread. If part of Lincoln’s head is always covered up by the tread, then your tires are still good to go! If all of Lincoln’s head is exposed, then you know it’s time to replace your tires.
- Tire Sidewall – This structure provides rigidity and protection for the inner area of the tire. You will also find the size of your tires printed on this area. The numbers you see will be in the following order, indicating tire type, width, diameter and the way the tire was constructed. A puncture or damage to the sidewall, either from a nail or other foreign objects, is hard to repair and can be very unsafe if left unattended to.
How to Maintain Your Tires.
When it comes to caring for your tires, there are several factors you should watch out for. Cracks along the sidewall of your tires can indicate a case of dry rot, which forms from prolonged exposure to the elements. If your tire pressure light comes on, it could indicate that you have a puncture from a nail or other sharp foreign objects compromising your tire. Our ASE certified professionals will search for the leak location, plug any potential puncture areas, and patch tires to stop air from leaking. Performing routine tire maintenance, such as making sure they are rotated and aligned properly, will also help maximize the lifetime of your tires.
Our Products.
Pat’s carries only respected brands like Michelin, Nexen, BF Goodrich, Uniroyal, General Tire, Cooper Tire, Dunlop, Pirelli, Falcon, Nitto, Ironman, Kumo, Hankook, Toyo, Continental and Mickey Thompson. For the right tire and the right price, we’ve got what you need.
The Bottom Line.
Though we are known for our quality automotive services like oil changes, Pat’s is famous throughout the Monkey Junction and Carolina Beach areas for getting you back on the road with the best tires around! We’ve been known to the locals as “Pat’s Tire” for decades. We offer you all the pricing and information you’ll need to keep rolling safely in just about every condition.
