Tips Blog

New drivers may not realize that regular tire service is an important part of car maintenance. Tires are the only parts of your vehicle that actually touch the road, so proper inflation, even tread wear, wheel alignment and balancing are important. The first question drivers may ask is “How many miles do tires last on average? We would expect at least 50,000 miles from the tires that come with any new vehicle, but tire life depends on many factors, such as:

• The quality of the tire.
• Is it a performance summer tire or an all-season tire?
• The type of car and how the tire is mounted.
• The treadwear rating, i.e., the expected length of tread life.
• How the car is driven.

The second question drivers may ask is, “What is included in a tire service?”

Everyone knows what an automotive technician does right? Just in case you need to know, here is a typical job description for automotive repair technicians:

• Identify mechanical problems, often using the computerized diagnostic equipment.
• Test parts and systems to ensure that they are working properly.
• Follow checklists to ensure that all critical parts are examined.
• Perform basic care and maintenance, including changing oil, tune-ups, checking fluid levels, and rotating tires.
• Repair or replace worn parts, such as brake pads and wheel bearings.
• Disassemble and reassemble vehicle parts, such as transmissions and engines.
• Use testing equipment to ensure that repairs and maintenance are effective.
• Explain to clients in layman’s terms the automotive problems and the repairs done on their vehicles.

If you want to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape, following the correct oil change interval is crucial, as well as cost-effective. Too often it seems, auto shops will see vehicles with dirty and damaged engines because the drivers exceed the mileage interval. Engine damage caused by dirty or low oil is far more costly than regular oil changes.

Consider these five Q & A’s about oil changes: