KANSAS CITY AND OVERLAND PARK AUTO REPAIR

Most folks around Kansas City have had a flat tire, in fact Bridget, who works in our office, just had one the other day. You know it’s inconvenient and a pain. Our tires are important. Keeping them in good working order isn’t just a big safety issue – it also has a financial impact. With high gas prices, we’ve all heard about the importance of keeping proper tire pressure to save on gas. In addition, proper inflation promotes even tread wear so your tires last longer. There’s another danger to under-inflated tires. Low tire pressure puts added stress on the structure of the tire itself, causing it to break down prematurely. Also, under-inflated tires generate more heat which also reduces tire life. So get those slow leaks fixed quickly – don’t just keep airing them up every few days. You want to avoid serious tire damage. Tires can also be damaged by road hazards in and around Kansas City. Punctures, cuts and impacts on curbs or potholes can also cause damage that could lead to tire ... read more

One of the most popular vehicle modifications is custom wheels and tires. Custom wheels help you stand out from the crowd and custom tires can help you fine tune your performance. Not that long ago, new cars came with just one or two tire and wheel options. Now manufacturers are offering more choices and over a third of new vehicle buyers choose custom wheels. That seems to have fueled public demand for custom wheels in all vehicle categories. The available styles, colors and finishes are endless. You’re sure to get the look you want – from sleek and stylish to tough and aggressive. While custom wheels are largely a matter of taste, custom tires are a matter of function. That is not to say that there are not a lot of cool looking tires out there, it’s just that tires are vital to your safety, so there are some important practical considerations. Let’s look at it in terms of extremes. High heat, high speed, high cornering forc ... read more

and…Are your new tires really NEW TIRES? Determining the age of the tires BEFORE you buy them is a great idea! It is important to find out so you can protect your investment and the safety of you and your family. Tires over 6 years old can have dry rot from the inside out. Just because the tread looks great doesn’t mean they are in great condition. Check the age of all 4 tires. Even though they may LOOK THE SAME – there is a decent chance they are not the exact same age. If your current tires on your vehicle are 10 years old or older they should be replaced immediately. So how do I determine the age of my tires… Since 2000, the week and the year the tire was manufactured is provided by the last four digits of the DOT number. Each tire has a required Department of Transportation (DOT) number on the sidewall. First two letters of the DOT number tells who the tire ... read more

Your car tires are an important part of your car, making it very important to ensure they are well maintained. Regular maintenance will significantly help to enhance the performance of your vehicle and minimize the risks of an accident. The question is, how do you make your car tires last longer? Here are some tips to help extend the life of your car tires. How to Make Your Car Tires Last Longer Implement proper driving habits Speeding and turning sharply can wear down your car tires faster. Avoid making fast turns or stops and make sure you evade potholes. Check uneven tire wear Tire wear is caused by several factors including uneven wheels and under/over inflation. You can avoid this by making sure that your car tires are properly inflated. Be sure to follow the car maker’s suggested tire pressure. Assess your tires on a regular basis to ensure there is enough tire pressure, especially if you often drive over long distances ... read more

Tires do a lot of work. They transfer engine power and braking forces to the road; they handle steering control; and they cushion all those bumps and jolts. They also support the entire weight of the vehicle, including you and your passengers. With such critical work to do, you want your tires to do their job well. And since replacing tires is fairly expensive, you want them to last as long as possible. How to increase car tire life There are three keys to long, even tire wear: The front tires on a car take the brunt of the steering forces. As they push through turns, the shoulders of the front tires wear down more quickly than the rear tires. Rotating front and rear tires allows them to all wear at about the same rate. That’s especially true of front wheel drive vehicles whose front tires steer, and put the power to the road. SUVs and pick-ups, especially four-wheel drives, also tend to wear their tires more unevenly than cars because of their suspension and drive train set-up. You ... read more