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In a perfect world, all four tires would wear out at the same time. In the same perfect world, everyone would be able to afford a whole set of tires all at once. Unfortunately, things often just do not work out that way.  Sometimes you may just have to replace tires as you can afford them, one or two at a time, but there are some important things to bear in mind if you have to do that.  If you can only afford to replace one or two tires, it’s essential that you go with tires that are identica...

Spring means the trees are blooming, the temperatures are getting warmer and the days are getting longer. For drivers, it can also mean a new set of hazards to be on the lookout for. We know you’re wanting to roll down the windows and get out to enjoy the spring breezes, but these are all some things you might want to be aware of: Rain and flooding – Spring can mean sudden storms that can get quite intense and result in flash floods. You need to make sure your car’s ready, with a good set o...

Thankfully, the winter of 2015/16 is now behind us. No more iced-over windshields, frozen door locks, snow or road salt to deal with! Springtime brings its own particular annoyance, though…tree pollen. For some of us, that means runny noses, wheezing and sneezing fits. For all of us, though, it means a film of greenish-yellow powder deposited on car bodies and glass. If left too long, pollen can actually damage your paint and start to corrode your car’s body. In early spring, trees (conifers ...

Nobody ever looks forward to a flat tire, and nobody ever says "well, that was a really good time" after having one. You can at least minimize the damage to your tire and danger to yourself, though. Flats vs Blowouts If you get a blowout, you'll know about it right away. Sometimes the tire can fail dramatically, with a bang as loud as a shotgun going off. Other times, it might just be a loss of air and a sudden change in your car's handling, followed by vibration, noise and a pull to one side. ...

So you’ve got a kid who’s headed back to college…whether or not they’ve got a reliable car should be the least of your worries! Here’s a checklist to keep in mind: Tires:  There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to tires. How much tread is left on them? Have they been rotated recently? Tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles for even wear. At the very least, be sure that all tires are properly inflated. Be sure to check air pressure n the morning while tires are still cold. ...

You know that winters here in Ohio are really tough, and cold weather puts a lot of stress on every part of your vehicle. Is yours ready? Here’s a quick checklist to consider: Battery: Sub-freezing temperatures slow down the chemical process that enables your battery to store and deliver electricity. Couple that with the fact that motor oil thickens in cold weather, making it harder to turn the engine over, and you can understand why your battery needs to be in great shape before it gets cold ...

Every year, about 290 million tires are discarded; of those, about 233 million are recycled in one way or another. Shredded tires can be used for playground surfaces, welcome mats, hot-melt asphalt, bark mulch and even made into building material for “green” construction. But what can you do with your old tires? Here are some ideas: --Fill a tractor tire with sand to make a great sandbox for kids --Hang a tire from a rope as a tire swing --Stack a couple of tires on top of each other, bolt th...

Winters in Ohio can be pretty rough, as we all know…with a foot or two of snow on the ground and cold temperatures that keep that snow in place for weeks at a time. Winter tires can give you a real advantage in difficult winter conditions. But what makes winter tires so great, anyway? All-season tires are really a jack of all trades and master of none. They provide a supple and forgiving ride, they’re quiet and they offer good handling, steering response, and road manners. All-season tires ha...

You know how tough an Ohio winter can be, and it’s especially tough on a vehicle. Here are some tips on making sure your car’s fluids are up to the rigors of winter weather: Antifreeze: The term “antifreeze” is a bit of a misnomer, since it’s really coolant. Coolant is a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and distilled water; the additives in antifreeze raise the boiling point of coolant to protect the engine in the summer, and lower the freezing point for winter protection. Coolant does break down a...

Ever wonder what the designations stamped on your tire sidewall actually mean? We’d like to break it down for you. Let’s take for instance, “P195/60R15 87S”. This is a full service description of a tire. In this case, “87S” denotes a tire’s load capacity and speed rating. The higher the number, the greater the load capacity – an 87 load capacity means that tire can support 1,201 pounds. Speed ratings range from L (75 mph) through V (149 mph), and an S speed rating means the tire is good...