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Shopping for tires is a big expense so you want to make sure you’re getting the best tires you can afford for your vehicle. If you’re not sure where to start when buying tires, here is some advice that can make the experience easier and get you back on the road and driving confidently just in time for summer.   Determine What Kind Of Tires You Have   On the side of your car’s driver-side door, you’re likely to find a card or label that reveals important information about your vehicle. This ...

While regular brake maintenance is an important part of regular vehicle care, there are things you can do to help improve the longevity of your brakes in between service appointments in Puyallup. Use these easy tips to help make your brakes work more efficiently and get better brake performance, no matter the make, model or age of your vehicle. Avoid Having to Brake Suddenly It’s good advice to keep up with the flow of traffic but make sure there’s enough distance between your vehicle and the...

As the winter transitions to warmer weather, it’s important to includespring tire inspection in your regular vehicle maintenance tasks. Tough winter road conditions can leave tires a little worse for wear, and catching small concerns before they become big problems can save you time and money, as well as ensure safer driving conditions for you and your passengers. Learn more about what to look for when inspecting your tires: Check Tire Pressure Regardless of thetire brand already installed on ...

Ample tread depth is vital for tire health. If treads are worn too thin, then it’s time for replacement. One way to determine tread wear is by performing a visual examination of the tire wear bars. Learn how to read the wear bars and act accordingly. What are wear bars? Throughout the tire, you’ll see a set of bars in the tire grooves. These are the tire wear bars, also known as indicator bars. In a healthy tire, the tread should exceed the height of the wear bars. If it’s flush with the bar...

Even with modern technology, some auto parts need to be replaced more often than others. Some parts may not need to be replaced at all over the life of the car, while others need to be repaired or replaced three, four or more times. We identify the most common auto repairs and the symptoms when the parts begin failing. Brake Repairs As a general rule, brakes need to be replaced every 50,000 miles. However, this figure can vary widely depending on your driving habits and where you live. Constant...

Weather and water affect your car’s performance. The Pacific Northwest is known for rainfall year-round and dictates how you should handle your vehicle’s maintenance. Prioritize rainy weather car care to keep your vehicle in optimal health. Inspect the Tires Tire health is especially important when driving on wet surfaces. The treads help expel water away and maintain a firm traction. If the tire grooves are excessively worn, they significantly lose their gripping ability. In turn, this can a...

Winter tires are sturdy, but like all-season tires, they eventually wear out. This is especially the case if you use them year-round, which is a definite no-no. How long do winter tires last and how can you extend their life? Generally, How Long Do Winter Tires Last? Unfortunately, we can’t give you a straight answer in years or mileage. Typically, assuming you only use the tires in winter like you’re supposed to, expect them to last about four seasons. Of course, they can last longer or shor...

It’s wise to switch to winter tires now that fall is coming to an end. However, should you take the extra step of adding studs? What exactly are studded winter tires and how are they different than those without studs? Studded Winter Tires Explained As suggested in their name, studded winter tires have metal studs implanted throughout the tread surface. This enhances the tire’s ability to grip the road when driving over icy and slushy surfaces. The studs essentially act as miniature anchors t...

Tire balancing is a routine tire service that too many car owners ignore. Imbalance issues can have a drastic negative effect on tire health. Learn how to recognize the signs of tires that are out of balance and the ramifications of not addressing the issue.   What Is Tire Balance?   Tire balance issues occur when there’s an unequal weight distribution on the tire surface, causing uneven tread wear. Just one ounce of uneven weight distribution is enough to cause uneven wear.   An under-inflate...

Chances are the tires on your car are all-season tires. This means they’re designed for use across varying temperature ranges. With fall here and winter not far off, it may be time to consider a shift to winter tires.   Why Switch to Winter Tires?   Under wet road conditions, all-season tires have the gripping ability equivalent to winter tires with half-worn treads. This is assuming the all-season tires are in good condition.   Winter tires are made from softer rubber compounds for enhanced g...