Blog / Maintenance

Tire Replacement Is A Real Thing

 

We all have to replace our tires at some point... theoretically... in the very distant future. It always feels like the distant future, right? I kind of think of my tires as a static thing - like, they're there but they're not really THERE. I have a vague idea of what they are and what they do and that I am, in fact, supposed to replace them every so often, but there's never a fully formed idea of what I am actually supposed to be doing about that. So, if you feel the same way, keep reading. Let's get our acts together and talk about tires.

Okay, so, you are supposed to be replacing your tires every five years at the earliest. That's so long - I mean, you could give birth to a child and it'd be in kindergarten by the time you need to replace the tires you bought before the kid was born. Just think about that! So understandably a lot of us forget about the tire stuff. Of course, your dealer will have their own recommendations about how often you should replace your tires - maybe it's every ten years, or maybe you've contributed somehow to their decline in health. Regardless, you should be making sure that your tires are still doing well and have tread left. This is really easy to do with a penny - just stick the penny into your tread with Lincoln's head facing directly down. If you can see the top of his head, you should replace your tires ASAP.

There are a lot of factors that go into your tires' lifespans and how long (or short) they might be. Some things that you can do to shorten your tires' lives are to not properly inflate them, to drive hard and take corners hard, and to do a LOT of braking. Some good ways to counter these are by checking your tire pressure at least once a month, taking corners at a reasonable speed, and to slowly approach stops so that you're not slamming on the brakes. You should also get your tires rotated every time you get your vehicle serviced. The weight distribution in your vehicle can affect the wear patterns on your tires, as can your vehicle's alignment (so, yep, get your vehicle's alignment checked as well).

 

Replacing tires is an expensive prospect, sure, but a lot of dealerships have consistent coupons or deals on tire replacement. For example, Galles Chevrolet has a lot of tire related deals on until August 31st! These include a 50% off tire rotation and brake inspection coupon, a free alignment, battery, and tire tread check (you don't even have to buy anything!), and a 30-day price match on tires - this means that if you replace your tires and see someone else selling them for cheaper, let the folks at Galles Chevy know and they'll refund the difference. Seriously, these deals are awesome and they'll help you keep your vehicle as healthy and driving as well as possible. How could you say no?

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Keep your Wiper Blades Fresh to Death!

The winter weather sure keeps us on our feet. One day its snow the next it freezing rain, but whatever the winter might throw at us you have to keep your vehicle regularly service to withstand any weather that we might get hit with. Many people will go get oil changes, change their tires, make sure their heaters are working, all which is very important for your vehicle to run properly. However, many drivers overlook one important aspect of your vehicle, and that is visibility. I think we can all agree that our ability to see the road is very important and that’s why our vehicles were made with windshield wipers. Your wipers are just like everything else, they have a lifespan and need to be replaced after a certain period of time. However, many drivers won’t change their wipers for years...this impairs your driving and can cause accidents. This week, I want to go over the importance of windshield wipers and inform you on when is the best time to change your wipers and how you know it’s time. I also want to help give you some tips on how to prolong your wipers so you’re not buying them serval time through the year. If you need new wipers for your Chevy, check out our parts page and schedule a service appointment so we can replace them for you. If you have any other question feel free to give us a call and we will do our best to answer your questions! Wipers 101 It’s time to change your wipers if…. Streaking occurs when the rubber squeegee dries, hardens, and cracks Skipping occurs when the blade develops a curvature from lack of use Wearing occurs with extensive use and is when the rubber edges are rounded instead of squared Splitting is caused when the sun’s rays penetrate the rubber squeegee, causing it to break down Bent frames are caused by inconsistent contact with the glass surface, creating streaking or skipping If you’re running outside to go inspect your vehicle to see if it’s time to change your wipers be sure to look for the following! Broken frames Metal corrosion Visible cracks Rounded squeegee edges Loose or unsecured wiper blades Check that the squeegee is secure in the wiper frame Visibility is extremely important to safe driving. Although drivers depend on their wiper blades to clear rain, sleet, snow, etc., many wait too long to replace them. Do yourself a favor and be sure to maintain wiper blades regularly which can maximize your visibility, efficiency, and reliability! If you want some tips on how to maintain the life of your wiper blades check them out below! When you get gas, be sure to clean your windows too Clean your squeegee often Never use your wipers to de-ice your window Pull your blades up during snow/ice storms Snag Your Parts Here!