Tire Services in Jupiter, FL and Tequesta, FL
Time for new tires? Or maybe just and alignment and balance? Have a flat tire? All County Automotive can help!
Tires are the hardworking base of any good vehicle, and they deserve to be treated with proper service and care. Damaged or misaligned tires can cause everything from bad gas mileage to quicker tread wear, and major tire issues can be a danger to both the driver and the overall condition of the vehicle. Whether you’ve got a flat tire, an alignment problem, or any tire repair or tire services in between, All County Auto Repair & Tire locations in Stuart, FL, Jupiter, FL, and Tequesta, FL to schedule your tire rotation, replacement, or realignment today!
Tire Rotation
Rotating the tires is the process of removing all four tires and swapping their positions. This process is essential to equalizing tread wear and gaining the maximum lifespan and performance from each wheel.
Several variables can cause tires to wear down at different rates, including:
- The stop-and-go nature of city traffic.
- Road construction resulting in rough, unfinished pavement.
- Potholes and other uneven surfaces.
- Tires that have not been properly inflated.
- Worn-out shocks.
- Wheels that are not properly aligned.
- Heavily used or damaged vehicle components.
- Not rotating tires for a long period of time.
The process of tire rotation includes numerous steps, including
- Removing tires and reinstalling them in an alternating pattern.
- Checking the overall tire safety and quality.
- Checking the condition of each tire tread.
- Determining the pressure of each tire and reinflating as needed.
- Tightening any loose lug nuts.
Maintenance Suggestions: Though you should always consult your vehicle’s owner's manual, most cars operate best when their tires are rotated every 6,000 miles (this pattern varies across different makes and models). In addition, some vehicles use different sizes of tires for the front and back, which can limits exactly how the tires can be rotated. To be safe, check the owner's manual or contact one of our professionals for help.
What do the numbers on tires represent?
The numbers printed along a tire denote its width, aspect ratio, and wheel diameter. For example, "190/75R15" means the tire is 190 mm wide, has an aspect ratio (calculated as the width divided by the height) of 75%, and fits on a 15-inch rim.
The "R" is short for radial tire, though virtually all modern tires have this designation. In addition, speed ratings are often printed just before the "R." Though several speed ratings exist, the most common ratings are HR (good for up to 130 mph), VR (good for up to 149 mph), and ZR (good for more than 149 mph).
At All County Auto Repair & Tire, our expert technicians can always make sure you have the proper level of tire. Don’t put your vehicle at risk by using the wrong type of tire--schedule an assessment to check your vehicle’s wheels today! Our garage carries a wide array of the top brands, so you’ll never have to compromise on inadequate tires.
Each vehicle's manufacturer specifies adjustments and precise settings for wheel alignment. Following these exact measurements will reward you with the best possible vehicle performance, an optimum driving experience, and maximum cost savings. Improper alignment will cause poor handling, increased tire wear, poor fuel economy and even damage to your vehicle's suspension. Improper wheel alignment can even ruin the factory-specified suspension settings that keep your ride comfortable and smooth.
Alignment
Incorrect alignment can cause numerous steering or handling problems, including a misaligned steering wheel, steering that pulls to one side, loose steering, unsteady steering, difficult steering, or a sudden shift in steering direction after going over a bump. Over time, improper alignment may cause unusual or accelerated tire wear in the form of edge wear, diagonal wear, or cupping that may cause the need for early replacement.
Whether you’re crawling through rush hour or cruising along on a weekend getaway, your vehicle is sure to handle better when all four wheels are pointed in the same direction. If your wheels are out of alignment, your car may pull to one side or the other. You may not notice right away, but as you continue to drive, you will begin to see your tires wear quickly and unevenly because of the effort it takes to steer it back straight when the car pulls to one side. Tires will wear out rapidly due to the constant turning, which can be a major distraction while on the road. Don’t let constant correction become a hazardous habit--All County Auto Repair & Tire can fix your alignment and give you the smooth and comfortable ride you deserve.
Incidents that commonly throw a wheel out of alignment include falling into a deep pothole, hitting a curb, or driving over other uneven terrain such as a rock. While big shocks will certainly hurt your alignment, it is often the buildup of regular bumps and bangs from daily driving that eventually cause problems. To make sure this doesn’t happen to you, be sure to schedule routine alignment checks
At All County Auto Repair & Tire, we measure the alignment of each wheel and compare it to factory specifications. While your vehicle is on the alignment rack, we check the tires for wear and inspect the suspension and steering components for damage. For cars such as sedans that allow the adjustment of all four wheels, we align them independently. For those cars that only allow the adjustment of the front wheels, we align them relative to the rear set.
Cost will vary depending on whether your car is two-wheel or four-wheel adjustable. Additionally, four-wheel drive vehicles may require an extra charge due to the difficulty involved in aligning them. Either way, routine tire alignment is cheaper than having to replace tires. Call today to schedule an inspection!
Tire Pressure & TPMS
Improper tire pressure is another common tire problem, but do you know how to check it or fix it if it’s wrong? In order to increase proper tire pressure awareness, the U.S. government has begun to make it easier for drivers to learn when they have dangerously low pressure in their tires. Starting with the 2008 model year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began requiring the implementation of the tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) in all passenger cars and light trucks. At the same time, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (AAM) started a campaign focusing on consumer safety and the importance of checking and maintaining proper tire pressure.
TPMS automatically monitors the air pressure in a vehicle's tires and triggers a warning light when air pressure drops by 25% or more below the proper pressure. In most cases, these TPMS alerts display through one of two types of dashboard indicators. The first type uses the official TPMS symbol (a tire cross-section surrounding an exclamation mark), and the second shows a top-view image of a car with a lighted area showing which tire is low.
TPMS monitors pressure in one of two ways: direct or indirect. Direct TPMS senses the actual air pressure inside each tire using a sensor located inside the tires. On the other hand, Indirect TPMS measures tire pressure by keeping track of the rotation and speed of each wheel. When the speed and rotation of a wheel differs a lot from that of the others, it often means a tire is underinflated. The vehicle’s on-board computer then processes this information and uses it to alert the driver as needed. However, these systems are NOT substitutes for professional diagnoses and maintenance. If you believe that your tire pressure is incorrect, contact All County Auto Repair & Tire before it’s too late.
All County Auto Repair & Tire has the quality and commitment you deserve.
For more information on rotation, tire alignment, tire repair, maintenance, or other wheel questions, call the professionals for service at All County Auto Repair & Tire today! With two separate locations in Stuart (772.266.8685) and Tequesta, FL (561-747-8320), our experts have the skills and experience necessary to keep your vehicle tire health in good condition and get you back on the road in no time with quality service! Call to make an appointment today.