Categories
Tire Service

Understanding Basic Tire Maintenance – What You Need to Know

When you are maintaining the functionality of your vehicle, one of the key features that you need to look out for is the tires. Out of all the different components, your ride’s tires take on the most when you are driving. This is due to the constant shifts in terrain and weather. As a responsible driver, you are always reminded to check on your tires.

This guide is made for basic tire maintenance and what you need to know before getting behind the wheel to ensure the safety and ease of your drive. When you are using a family vehicle, you are also ensuring that their safety is a top priority.

1. Do your research before buying a tire replacement

When you are purchasing replacements, it is vital that you never go for the standard types. Keep in mind that there are different details that you need to consider. Specifically, you need to consider your vehicle’s model, the brand, how old the tires are, and whether they are a standard or winter tire.

Doing your research on different options helps you effectively improve your driving experience and safety. If you are unsure about certain details, you can always request assistance from professional tire change services or specialists who have the experience to help you make a well-informed decision.

2. Look for objects lodged in your tires

Before every drive, make it a habit to always check your tires for foreign objects lodged inside them. This is a preventive measure against possible road accidents. Driving around with damaged tires is highly risky as they can easily explode. You can also waste more gas as uneven pressures can decrease your speed on the road.

If your tires have objects stuck like nails or broken glass, have them replaced immediately. You can also have wheel alignment done to ensure the contact between your tires and the road is seamless.

3. Never mix and match tires

When you are opting for replacements, you should never change only one or two of them because it can lead to uneven tread wear, which refers to their physical longevity. Mixing and matching different tires will also affect your vehicle’s overall performance as it may have difficulty turning in specific directions where the tires are changed.

Before having any tires replaced, consider the professional advising of an auto mechanic. This will allow you to pick the appropriate sets that your vehicle needs to fully function. You can also inform them about the weather conditions and terrain that you commonly encounter so that they can better recommend the right set of wheels.

4. Always keep your tires inflated with the proper pressure

Checking on the tire pressure is another vital aspect of basic maintenance. You need to make sure that you are following the proper air pressure as made clear by the service manual. This is primarily because improper pressures are very dangerous as it can also restrict proper braking and steering.

Inspect your tires before each drive to see if you need to have it inflated. Before taking any long drive, always plan out gas station stops to ensure the pressure is at its optimal level. When in doubt about your tires’ proper pressure, be sure to consult with an auto mechanic.

Conclusion

At this point, you now know more about the basics of tire maintenance. With all the basic tips mentioned above, it is vital that you stay committed to being a responsible and well-informed driver today! Doing so will ensure that your safety and that of others on the road are kept at all times.

Are you looking for professional tire change services in the United States? We at MobileMechanicBids can help you with that. We offer digitized automotive services like mobile tire service. We also have 24/7 emergency services in case you need immediate tire replacement. Get in touch with us today to ensure that your ride is tuned up and ready to go!

Categories
Tire Service

What Are Some of the Most Common Causes of Flat Tires

The last thing you want to happen when you are driving is getting a flat tire. Aside from being a nuisance, flat tires can be dangerous to people inside the car, on the street, and in other vehicles. The best defense against flats is knowing what causes them. This article will enumerate the main reasons you might need a tire change service, so you can reduce the chances of encountering them. 

1. Sharp Objects

The most obvious reason for getting flat tires is due to sharp objects, such as nails, glass shards, industrial staples, screws, and other similar items. These objects are often seen in areas near garbage disposals where debris is scattered on the road. If you see any sharp objects on the road or parking lot, avoid them if you can. If you drive near construction sites, make sure to watch out for these items.

2. Worn-Out Tires

Sometimes your tire does not need any physical trigger to go flat. Tires, especially when overused, can get worn out over time. The wear and tear are enough to cause them to go flat. This degradation also adds to the tire’s sensitivity, making it susceptible to hazards on the road. Here are the simple things you can do to avoid this situation:

Avoid quick starts and stops.
Stick to a regular schedule for wheel alignment and rotation for your vehicle. 
Keep your tire pressure at the level recommended for your car.

3. Leak From the Valve Stem

Some tires would look physically okay from the outside but have a leaky and damaged valve stem inside. Internal problems occur when the valve stem becomes too dirty or too old. Make sure to specifically ask your mechanic to look into your valve stem during regular car maintenance. 

4. Too Much Air Pressure

Improper inflation is also a reason for a possible flat tire. Too much air can cause internal damage to your tire, resulting in severe accidents and injuries. Make sure that you have your car tire pressure checked as part of your routine car maintenance or at least once a month. 

5. Bad Road Condition

No matter how good a driver you are, you will encounter road hazards that can damage your tires. Bad roads come in many forms. There are roads with potholes, uneven paths, and sharp debris that can ruin your tires, wheels, and axles. Here are some tips that can help you avoid tire damage if you have no choice but to drive over or through hazards: 

Drive slowly. 
Keep your car far away from the vehicle in front of you, so you have more reaction time when driving through potholes and bumps. 
Safely maneuver around these road hazards. 

6. Vandalism

Unfortunately, some people have bad intentions. Some pranks other people by messing with their cars for no good reason. One common trick is letting out air from other people’s tires, resulting in flats or uneven inflation. 

If you become a victim of vandalism, the solution you need is simple and easy. You only need to reinflate your tire, and you would be good to drive again. To avoid this, park your car in an environment safe from potential threats.

Conclusion

No one wants to get a flat tire, but it can happen to anyone at any time. Make sure to always check your tires before you drive, especially when going for a long drive. Be safe when driving and follow the essential procedures if you encounter a flat tire. 

Should you need a mobile tire service, we are here to help. MobileMechanicBids.com can get your car moving again. We can connect you with quality and trusted mobile tire service companies in your area to come and fix your vehicle. 

Categories
Basic Upkeep Mobile Mechanic Oil Change Tire Service

Should You Maintain a Car by Yourself or Hire a Mechanic

No matter how old or new your vehicle is, maintenance is a must to ensure it is performing at its best at all times. However, there is always this one question that must be asked when carrying out any maintenance activity: should I DIY it or hire a mechanic to do it for me? The answer to this isn’t as straightforward as you may realize, simply because it all depends on the nature of the maintenance job.

Essentially, some things you can do by yourself while other things are better left to a professional mechanic. In this article, we’re going to share with you a few common car maintenance activities and talk about whether you can do it by yourself or hire a mechanic for it:

1. Fixing the Brakes

When it comes to fixing the brakes, you are much better off letting a professional mechanic do the job. They may seem easy to install, but this simplicity can catch people off. Mistakes like putting the brakes on backward are issues that can lead to devastating results. As such, if you want to replace the brake pads on your vehicle, hire a professional mechanic to do it. 

Also, don’t opt for cheap pads. They’ll deteriorate quicker and can damage your vehicle. Put the extra money into purchasing high-quality brake pads, and not only will you have to replace them far less frequently, but you can be confident that your car will brake as you expect it to!

2. Changing the Oil

One of the simplest maintenance activities you can do for your vehicle is to change its oil. The whole process is straightforward, and if you know what you are doing, you can get it done in no time at all. However, the problem doesn’t lie with knowing or not knowing how to change the oil. It comes in at the frequency of the oil change. Many people follow the “change the oil every three months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first” saying, but new oils today last a lot longer than that. 

To know exactly when to replace the oil, have a mechanic change the oil for you. They will note down exactly when you need to change the oil, making your life a lot easier.

3. Rotating the Tires

Tires, even the high-quality ones, need to be rotated once every so often. This is because the wear and tear experienced by the wheels can differ, and as such, cause one wheel to wear faster than the other.

When carrying out tire rotations, it is essential to know which tires go where. Not only that, but you must also know when to rotate the tires. If these are two things you cannot bother tracking, have your car serviced by professionals. They will know exactly where the tires should go, and give you recommendations on when the tires should be rotated and even replaced.

Conclusion

In summary, there is only a handful of maintenance you can do by yourself easily. However, even those types of activities can be done far better by professional mechanics. Apart from simply carrying out these maintenance tasks, mechanics can also survey your car more to highlight any issues that need fixing. This, along with their quality service, will ensure your vehicle is in its best shape possible, giving you the best experience every time you decide to hit the road. As such, no matter the maintenance you want to carry out, hire a professional mechanic to do it for you!

MobileMechanicBids.com is a free online tool to help those in need of vehicle-related services place their needs online for professionals to find and submit their bids to offer assistance. If you are looking for auto tire services and more in the US brought right to you, post your needs on our site today!

Categories
Tire Service

3 Important Considerations Before Changing Your Wheel Size

Are you thinking of changing your car’s wheel and tire size? If so, there are some things worth considering before you do so. Remember, if you change to new wheels, the car will feel different. Your vehicle is also designed to work with a specific set of wheels. Changing it without any plans can lead to various mechanical issues that can impact your driving experience. 

There are many reasons to change the size of a car’s wheels. It could be that it is tough to find the right wheel size with your current wheels or that you just want to change your car’s appearance. Regardless, here are the considerations you must make before doing so:
 
1. The speedometer will be affected
 
The speedometer is designed to give you an idea of how fast the car is going, but it does not do so by looking at how fast you are relative to solid ground. Rather, it looks at the rotations of the wheel. The fewer the rotations, the slower you are going. Unfortunately, with bigger or smaller wheels, you may end up with inaccurate readings. 

For example, with bigger wheels, the speedometer might be saying you are traveling 100 mph when, in reality, you are traveling 120mph. You may not realize that you are violating traffic rules, so you need to adapt your speedometer to the new set of wheels.
  
2. There may not be enough clearance
 
A large wheel without enough space may end up rubbing or scraping against your fender or suspension, and although it might look like they fit when putting the wheels on, the wheels might hurt the car once the jack comes off. 

Large wheels will also add weight to the vehicle, affecting your mileage. Consider the clearance to ensure your wheels do not damage your vehicle and vice versa. Make sure not to forget about the mileage either.
 
3. The suspension and brake will wear faster
 
With larger wheels, brakes and suspension may experience more wearing and stress, wearing these components faster. In some cases, the transmission’s gear ratio may even be negatively affected. As for brakes, features like anti-lock brakes can also be hindered by larger wheels. Because of this, you will need to replace suspensions and breaks with ones that can work well with the wheels to ensure you do not run into issues when driving the car.
 
Conclusion
 
As you can see, changing your car’s tires is so much more than picking which one looks the best. Replacing the brakes and suspension and adapting the speedometer are just some of the things you have to do when changing to a new wheel size. Failing to do those will only have a detrimental effect on your driving experience and possibly increase your risk of accidents. Consider these factors seriously and work with a technician to make the necessary changes without a problem.
 
MobileMechanicBids is a free online tool for people looking for professional auto mechanics. If you require a tire change service, you can find the perfect professional on our platform! Check out our website now.