Ensuring the optimal condition of your vehicle's tires is essential to maintaining the safety, performance, and efficiency of your vehicle. Well-maintained tires not only reduce the likelihood of getting a flat tire but also ensure consistent traction during travel and increased tire longevity.
Tires We Service
We service and work with a wide variety of tires, including but not limited to:
- All-season tires
- All-terrain tires
- Passenger tires
- Performance tires
- Specialty tires, including winter, snow, summer, and other seasonal tires
- Touring tires
- And more
Tire Repair
- Before proceeding with any services, we will conduct a comprehensive and meticulous assessment of your tires. This assessment will include understanding their specifications, identifying any damage, and determining the exact location of any damage. For sidewall damage or numerous punctures, tire replacement may be the best option. For a more detailed evaluation, our technicians will detach the tires to inspect both the interior and exterior.
- Once the issue is identified, we can then move forward with the best corrective course of action.
- A majority of tires can be repaired using one of two common techniques:
- Plug: This is a quick process that involves inserting a rubberized material into the puncture from the outside. This approach, while convenient for short-term fixes, typically offers less longevity than patching.
- Patch: A more durable repair option is to patch the tire's internal lining after preparing the damaged area. Sometimes, a combination of both methods (known as a plug-patch combination) is used, providing a longer-lasting fix by sealing both the inside and outside of the tire.
- After repairing the tire, we will reinflate it to the recommended pressure and balance it to promote even wear.
- Once the tire has been repaired and remounted, we will conduct a final inspection. This inspection will involve checking the repair and assessing the overall condition of the tire to ensure that no other issues were overlooked during the initial inspection. Ideally, we will perform a brief test drive to confirm that the repair is holding and there are no leaks.
What Causes a Tire to Go Flat?
- Damaged or corroded valve stems can cause air to leak out.
- Encounters with sharp entities like nails, screws, or glass shards often culminate in flat tires.
- Hitting obstacles such as potholes or colliding with curbs due to poor road conditions may inflict damage on your tires and cause them to lose air.
- Inadequate inflation can escalate resistance and expose the tires to a higher risk of overheating or bursting
- On the other hand, overinflation can cause decreased traction, excessive bouncing, and an increased risk of punctures.
- Tires naturally degrade over time due to wear and tear. The older your tires are, the thinner they are likely to be, making them more prone to punctures.
- While infrequent, manufacturing imperfections can be a culprit behind flat tires.
To prevent tire deflations, it is imperative to regularly check for signs of wear, damage, or punctures. Additionally, it is vital to maintain the recommended tire pressure.
Tire Rotation and Balance
Regular tire balancing and rotation are essential to maintaining their safety, performance, and longevity.
Tire Rotation
No matter the vehicle type (rear-wheel, front-wheel, or all-wheel drive), all tires experience wear and tear over time. Front tires tend to wear out faster than rear tires due to steering and braking forces. Neglecting tire rotations can amplify uneven wear, reduce vehicle control, and jeopardize car safety.
A lack of consistent rotation and balancing means that front tires may require replacement more frequently than rear ones. Ensuring uniform wear allows for the concurrent replacement of all four tires, potentially saving you an extra trip to the mechanic. Proper tire maintenance also helps maintain optimal vehicle performance, safety, and braking effectiveness, helping you avoid costly tire repairs in the long run.
Tire Rotation Patterns
Our technicians tailor the rotation strategy based on the specific drivetrain of your vehicle. A few of the most common tire rotation patterns include:
- Forward Cross: Ideal for front-wheel drives. Front tires move to the rear, and rear ones shift to opposite front sides.
- X-Pattern: Another ideal for front-wheel drives. Tires are swapped diagonally, with front and rear tires moving in a criss-crossing pattern.
- Rearward Cross: Essentially the inverse of the forward cross. Front tires shift to opposite rear sides while rear tires directly move forward.
- Front to Back: In this method, front tires are switched to the back, and vice versa.
- Side to Side: If a vehicle possesses varying tire sizes or non-directional tires on its front or rear axle, a lateral transfer is usually adopted.
- Six Tire Rotation: For vehicles featuring dual rear tires, each side adheres to a triangular rotation pattern. The outer tire transitions inward, the inner one to the steering position, and the steering tire to the outer position.
Tire Mounting and Balancing
Tire balancing involves leveraging a specialized machine to ensure even distribution of tire and wheel weight. If an imbalance is identified, professional technicians will add small weights to the wheel's rim to restore balance.
How Often Do I Need to Rotate and Balance My Tires?
Industry professionals typically advise rotating your tires every 5,000 to 8,000 miles and ensuring they're balanced around every 12,000 miles. depending on factors such as your vehicle's mileage, the present condition of your tires, and the specific brands in use. Many drivers make it a routine to align their tire rotation with alternate oil changes. For more specific recommendations tailored to your vehicle's make and model, consult your vehicle's owner manual. You can also consult with a reputable local auto service provider, like Trident Auto Performance and Smog, for more information.
Tire Replacement
Despite regular maintenance, there will be instances where merely repairing your tires isn't enough. Here are several key indicators that suggest you should get your tires replaced instead of repaired:
- Balding Tires: Usually a result of extended wear and tear, severely worn or smooth treads increase the risk of punctures and diminish road traction, especially during severe weather conditions.
- Surface Bulges or Blisters: Blisters or bulges on the tire's exterior can suggest damage to the tire's internal structure, increasing the risk of a blowout.
- Consistent Drop in Pressure: Regularly needing to inflate your tire could indicate a slow leak or structural damage.
- Repeated or Multiple Punctures: While occasional punctures might be fixable, a tire suffering numerous punctures or having punctures near its sidewall should be considered for replacement.
- Uneven Tread Wear: If there's uneven wear on one tire side compared to the other, it's crucial to address both the tire and its potential alignment or suspension concerns.
- Tread Depth: The measurement of the remaining rubber on your tires is referred to as tread depth. Tread, the pattern of grooves on a tire, aids in maintaining road grip, particularly during wet or rainy conditions. A deeper tread implies better traction, ensuring that the tire performs safely and effectively. As you accumulate mileage over time, the tread gradually diminishes and reduces the amount of traction in your tires.
- Visible Sidewall Cracks or Cuts: Any observable cracks, cuts, or gashes in the sidewall may indicate an emerging leak or blowout risk.
- Visible Tire Cords If the internal cords of the tire (resembling fabric threads) are visible, this indicates excessive wear, warranting immediate replacement.
Most tire manufacturers recommend replacing your tires approximately every 6 to 10 years or between every 36,000 to 75,000 miles. However, it’s important to note that these are generalized guidelines. The actual numbers can vary based on factors such as your driving habits, tire use, and storage conditions. Proper tire care can help your tires last longer. Even if your tires appear to be in good condition, most tires should not be used for more than 10 years.
Professional Tire Installation
Opting for professional tire installation at a reliable auto shop ensures accuracy and safety. Professional auto technicians are equipped with the right certifications, knowledge, and tools for properly removing and replacing old tires.
In a typical tire installation, a technician will elevate your vehicle with a hydraulic lift and remove the wheels with specialized tools. They will then use a tire mounting machine to separate the old tires from the rims. The rims will be inspected for damage, contamination, or corrosion. If necessary, previous wheel weights will be discarded.
The new tires are then inflated, balanced, and mounted to the vehicle. Their pressure is verified and adjusted to align with the manufacturer's recommended specifications. After the new tire installation, the technician will perform a final assessment of the tire pressure and lug nuts. Some service centers may recommend a follow-up inspection after a specified mileage. Many auto shops also offer additional services, such as the disposal of old tires.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS Services)
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) was introduced to respond to the rising number of accidents caused by incorrect tire pressure. Modern cars have a warning light, usually resembling a horseshoe with an exclamation point, that activates when a tire's pressure drops by 25% or more.
From time to time, you may notice the tire pressure light intermittently flickering. This is usually due to a decline in tire pressure when temperatures drop overnight. Even if the light turns off with warmer daytime temperatures and continuous driving, it is advisable to have a professional assess your tires whenever the TPMS alert is activated. Prioritizing tire maintenance is essential for the safety of all your passengers.
If a malfunction occurs with your TPMS sensor, it is best to get it replaced as soon as possible. On average, TPMS sensor batteries last between 5 and 10 years. It is also a good idea to equip alternate tire sets, including seasonal or spare tires, with TPMS sensors.
There are two main types of tire pressure monitoring systems that trigger dashboard alerts:
Indirect TPMS: This system uses sensors linked to the vehicle's anti-lock braking system to measure tire rotation speed. The data is sent to the central onboard computer, which compares it to the rotation speeds of the other tires. If one tire has a significantly different rotation speed, suggesting that it may be underinflated, the warning signal is activated.
Direct TPMS: This system uses unique pressure sensors installed on each tire's valve stem. In addition to monitoring tire pressure, it also monitors temperature. All of the collected information is sent to a centralized system. If any pressure discrepancies are detected, the warning light will be activated. Because it can collect specific tire metrics, direct TPMS is generally considered more accurate than indirect TPMS.
For vehicles without TPMS or a tire pressure alert, Trident Auto Performance and Smog provides upgrade kits, installation services, and reliable recommendations.
Top-Rated Tire Services and Specialists in Valencia, CA
The importance of tire care and maintenance goes beyond just prolonging their lifespan; it's about ensuring the utmost safety on the road. At Trident Auto Performance and Smog, we steadfastly uphold our values of integrity, transparency, safety, and automotive excellence. From tire rotations and balancing to new installations and TPMS checks, we deliver premium tire services in Valencia, California.
Trust our skilled technicians for reliable recommendations, adjustments, installations, and replacements. Call 661-254-7664 to schedule your appointment today!
Back to our Main Services Page