Precision Auto Repair | Albertville, Minnesota

info on common car care problems, maintenance and repairs

Tires + Alignment

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Make your tires last longer with regular tire rotation and wheel balancing.

Normal wear and tear (especially turning corners), causes your front tires to wear more on the shoulders. Front-wheel drive vehicles have even more force on the front tires than other types of vehicles.

Rotating Your Tires

Rotating your tires regularly is important to ensure that all four tires wear as evenly as possible, which helps the tires last longer.

Tires are typically rotated from front to back, although some manufacturer’s recommend a cross rotational pattern. Additionally, some high performance vehicles have different sized tires on the front and back, which means that they can only be rotated from left to right. Your Precision Auto Repair service technician will know the right type of rotation required by your vehicle.

Tire manufacturers have a recommendation for how often tires should be rotated. It is typically every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.

Wheel Balancing

Balancing your tires adds weights to the wheel to balance it out. Variations in the tire, wheel manufacture, valve stem and tire pressure monitoring sensors can all contribute to an imbalance. Small variations can cause vibrations when driving: the wheel may actually bounce a bit while you drive down the road.

If a front wheel is out of balance, you will feel the vibration through the steering wheel. When it is a rear tire, you will feel the vibration in the seat of your car.

Your tires should be rebalanced any time you get a new tire or remount an existing tire when it has been removed for any type of service, like a flat tire.

Learn more about the importance of maintaining your tires with Rob.

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Tire Buying Guide

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New tires aren’t something most vehicle owners are anxious to spend money on, but they are the most important safety feature of any car on the road, and when it’s time… it’s time.

Here are a few tips to help make investing in new tires simple and foolproof.

1. Make sure you need new tires

Symptoms like bulging tires (when tires deflate they bulge at the sides), cracked tires, or low treads are easy symptoms pointing to the need for new tires. However, if your car is vibrating when you drive it, it could be your tires, brakes, or alignment. Be sure to have it looked at to determine the exact cause before buying tires you may not need.

2. Choose the right tire

Perhaps the biggest mistake someone can make when replacing tires is not buying the right size. On the sidewall of your tire, you’ll find a code that tells the tire’s size and capabilities.

Here’s a sample code:
P195/60R16 63H M+S

  • P – Type of tire
  • 195 – Width of the tire across the tread in millimeters
  • 60 – Aspect ratio of the sidewall compared to the width
  • R – Radial construction
  • 16 – Diameter of the rim in inches
  • 63 – Tire’s load rating
  • H – Tire’s speed rating
  • M+S – Tire is suitable for all-season driving

Your auto shop technician can easily give you tire options that will be best for your car at different price points. Just make sure you understand the differences between tires. They can be significant.

3. Know where to buy new tires

It’s always important to shop where you feel comfortable. We think buying tires from your local auto repair shop where you take your car for service is always a good idea. They know you, they know your car, and are invested in a long-term relationship with you and your car. Purchase and installation costs can vary widely, so be sure to understand what each shop includes with their tire installation so you are comparing fairly.

4. Know your vehicle’s manufacturer recommendations

Vehicle manufacturers often have a recommended tire size and type for each vehicle. This recommendation is based on the size, weight, load capacity, off-road capability, and steering for your specific vehicle. Changing the tire size and type could impact the handling of your vehicle.

Choosing the right tires includes looking at where you live, how you drive your car, and other factors as well. Evaluating different brands and options and understanding the trade-offs will help ensure that you buy the best tires for your car.

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