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May 31, 2017Your tires are the most important safety feature in your car. Make sure they stay in good condition by checking the tread and air pressure once a month. Then, every time you take your car in for an oil change, ask the mechanic to rotate and balance the tires and perform a wheel alignment check if necessary. These three tire maintenance tasks require special tools and knowledge, so you should always leave them to an experienced mechanic.
Tire Rotation
The front and rear tires bear different loads and perform different steering and braking functions. These disparities cause the front and rear tires to develop unique wear patterns. To maximize the life of your tires, you should rotate them – moving the front tires to the rear and vice versa.
Not sure when to have your tires rotated? Check your owner’s manual for recommendations. Typically, manufacturers suggest rotating your tires every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. We’ll tell you if it’s time for a tire rotation when you come to Scott’s Fort Collins Auto for your next oil change.
Be aware that some performance vehicles have tires designed to rotate in a specific direction. You can still rotate them front to back, but the right tires must stay on the right and left tires on the left. If your car uses different tire sizes on the front and rear axles, rotation is not possible.
Tire Balancing
The purpose of tire balancing is to equally distribute the weight of the tire and wheel assembly so it spins smoothly at high speeds. Properly balanced tires help to promote even wear for a longer lifespan.
Balancing involves placing the wheel on a special machine that centers and spins the tire to detect imbalances. Small weights are attached to the wheel assembly to limit vibrations as it spins. Even a slight imbalance can become a noticeable problem at high speeds when centrifugal force amplifies the problem and makes the whole car vibrate.
If your car starts shaking at high speeds, come to Scott’s to have your tires balanced. If you decide to buy new tires, we carefully balance them before installing them on your car. We also rebalance a tire anytime we must remove it from the wheel, such as to repair a puncture.
Wheel Alignment
Every vehicle has specific wheel alignment specifications. If the wheels aren’t properly aligned with the car and one another, you may experience poor handling, a crooked steering wheel, low fuel efficiency, and uneven tire wear.
At Scott’s, our ASE-certified technicians use state-of-the-art wheel alignment equipment to check and adjust your wheels when installing new tires on your car. Be aware that it’s possible for your wheels to fall out of alignment if you drive on rough roads or get into a minor collision.
If your vehicle starts drifting or pulling to one side when you let go of the steering wheel, bring your car to our shop, and we’ll check the tire alignment. Other issues can cause drifting and pulling, so we’ll perform a thorough diagnostic and repair to help your car handle smoothly again.
Come to Scott’s Fort Collins Auto for Tire Maintenance
Scott’s Fort Collins Auto is your one-stop-shop for tires, tire maintenance, and all your auto repair needs. With our team of experienced, certified technicians on hand, we can diagnose, tune up, and repair your vehicle with confidence. For your convenience, we also offer free loaner cars for qualifying minimum services.
To schedule your next appointment, please contact us online or call (970) 682-4202 and let us know when you would like to stop by for tire balancing, tire rotation, or wheel alignment services.
