Longview Auto Repair

Tire tread provides you with the traction to stop and hold your vehicle to the road on curves. Tires with good tread help funnel water out from under the tire to reduce hydroplaning on wet roads.  If your tires are well-worn, there is an increased risk of hydroplaning, loss of traction and likelihood of damage by potholes and other road hazards. The US Department of Transportation recommends that you replace tires when worn down to 2/32 inch (1.6 mm) tread depth anywhere on the tread face. Washington State and many other states require that tires be replaced when worn down to this depth. States may also require tires to be replaced for other signs of wear. Signs of Wear Signs of wear that require the tire to be replace include, but are not limited to, the following: Exposed ply or cord by the naked eye or when probing a cut or abrasion Bump, bulge, or knot that affects tire structure Improper repairs Tread depth less than 2/32" What is the Penn ... read more

Tire balancing will help with even wear of the tire, longer tire life and a comfortable ride.  It will result in a smooth rolling tire with all areas of the wheel and tire combination being as equal in weight as possible. Out of balance tires can cause uneven and faster tread wear, poor fuel economy, and vibration in the steering wheel, the floorboard or the seat that gets worse at faster speeds. Why does tire imbalance occur? In normal manufacturing, tires and wheels will be slightly heavier in some areas. Everyday wear can also cause imbalance. As little as half an ounce difference in weight can cause vibrations. How is tire imbalance corrected? Tire imbalance is easily corrected by a professional attaching small weights, each only fractions of an ounce, to the wheel. How are tires balanced? To balance your tires, a technician will attach a tire mounted on a wheel to a balancing machine. The machine spins the tire at a hi ... read more

In order to have the smoothest, most comfortable ride and long lasting tire performance, your tires and vehicle need to be maintained. Find out how to ensure your safety on the road by inspecting, caring for, and maintaining your tire inflation pressure, alignment, tire tread, and tire rotation. Why are these important?1. Tire inflation pressure. Improper tire inflation can lead to uneven tire wear. Over inflation can cause the center of your tire to wear. Under inflation can cause the edges of your tire ro wear.  Your owner's manual or door jamb for your vehicle will show the correct tire pressure. Check your tire pressure using a tire gauge every month. 2. Alignment. Improper alignment can also lead to uneven tire wear. Unusual wear patterns include heel/toe wear, feather edge wear, or one-sided shoulder wear. A professional can check your alignment. 3. Tire Tread. Well-worn or bald tires can cause hydr ... read more

Proper tire inflation pressure in your tires is important. Your tires can wear unevenly or even fail if underinflated.  The inflation of your tires can't be assessed just by looking at them; tires that look fine may be low by as much as 50 percent. Your vehicle's owner's manual states the proper inflation pressure at which your tires should be set. Some vehicles also state this information on a label on the driver's side door jamb, glove box or fuel door. The pressure indicated on the sidewall of the tire is the maximum pressure allowed for the tire and is not the normal tire pressure for your vehicle. How to Check & Adjust Your Tire Pressure 1. First, look for the correct tire pressure for your vehicle. Also, you will need a tire pressure gauge. 2. Make sure your tires are cool. Tire inflation pressure can increase when tires are hot. 3. Remove the cap from the valve on the tire. 4. Apply tire pressure gauge to valve. Read value from gau ... read more

Right around this time of the year when the snow starts flying, most of us ask ourselves the same question: is it time for new tires? Before replacing your tires, there are a few things to consider. We’ll go through and map everything out to help simplify this often complicated process. DO YOU ACTUALLY NEED NEW TIRES? The obvious first step is to determine if you really need new tires or not. If you notice your car is pulling to one side, slipping around, or not confidently stopping when you brake, it might just be a simple fix like filling under-inflated tires. Check the tire pressure on all 4 tires before considering buying new tires. One easy way to check if you have enough tire tread is the penny test. Simply insert a penny into your tire’s tread groove with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing you. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, this means your tire tread is less than 2/32 inch and it’s time to replace your tires. Even if ... read more