Whether you just purchased new tires from a Utah auto repair shop or even if you’ve had them for a while, we all want to avoid damaging our tires. We especially want to avoid the trouble that comes with getting a flat tire. This article will outline some tips to help you prevent a flat.

Before looking for way to avoid a flat though, make sure you are prepared for a flat if one happens.  Don’t forget to check your spare tire for proper pressure and condition.  Make sure you have a jack and lug nut wrench in your trunk as well.

The first tip to avoiding a flat is to periodically check the tread depth of your tires.  This can be done just by looking at it. A trick you can use to make sure you have enough tread left is to place a penny upside down in the tread. You should have enough tread left so that it reaches from the top of the penny to the top of Lincoln’s head. Also, don’t forget to rotate your tires so that the tread wears evenly on all the tires and not just in one spot.  Many Utah auto repair shops will rotate your tires free of charge if you purchased them there.

An issue that many people don’t know about is tire rot.  This is especially important on old tires (usually not driven a lot of miles).  Look for small cracks on the sidewalls of your tires.

Besides improving gas mileage, proper tire pressure will keep your tires lasting longer. All vehicles built since 2007 have built in pressure monitoring systems to alert the driver of low tire pressure.  There are some aftermarket tire pressure monitoring kits available for older vehicles.  Under-inflated tires will stress the sidewalls.  This stress also increases the amount of dry rot.

The next item you should check are the valve stems.  Like the tire, valve stems can have dry rot and fail.  Your Utah auto repair shop can replace a valve stem in about 10 minutes.

Next on the list is to avoid bad areas.  This is an obvious one, but important enough that it should be included.  Look out for pot holes, sharp rocks, construction sites etc.
These tips are simple and inexpensive. But, when you follow them you will really decrease your chance of being the next unlucky person on the side of the road struggling to change a flat tire.

Having your tires rotated is an important part of keeping your car maintained. Although the consequences usually are not as severe as other items such as changing your oil or flushing your coolant, it can be a safety and performance issue. Luckily, rotating your tires is a quick and easy process that any Utah auto repair shop can do in about 5 minutes or less. 

There are various ways to do a tire rotation, but the one that I favor is the modified X. In short, with a modified X you take the tires on the drive axle and move them kitty corner to the other side of the vehicle. The non-drive tires move straight forward to the drive axles without crossing.

Here is how to do the modified X pattern on a front wheel drive car. If you have tires that need to be oriented a certain direction, such as rain tires, do not cross them, keep them on the same side of the car just swap the front and the rear tires. For a rear wheel drive vehicle the modified X is reversed compared to the front wheel drive.

To begin the rotation you’ll need a spare tire, lug nut wrench, and jack. Start with the driver’s front tire. Take off the wheel covers (if you have them) and loosen the lug nuts. Raise the vehicle until the tire is about an inch off the ground and take the tire off. Replace it with the spare, finger tighten the lug nuts and lower the vehicle. Don’t worry about tightening the spare tire since you won’t be going anywhere.

Take the tire you just took off and move to the rear passenger tire. Loosen the lug nuts, raise the vehicle, take the tire off, replace the tire, finger tighten the lug nuts, lower it, and now tighten the lug nuts all the way. Now with the rear passenger tire, change that with the front passenger tire.

Take the front passenger tire and change it with the rear driver’s tire. Take the rear driver’s tire and change it with the spare tire (front driver side). Now is also a good time to check your tire pressure.

I highly recommend using a torque wrench to make sure your lug nuts are tight enough. You can pick up a cheap torque wrench for around $20-$30. Call your dealer or do a search on the net for the setting you need, but as a general rule of thumb 90 foot pounds is a good number to use.

If you want to speed the process up a floor jack would definitely help. If you want to be as fast as your Utah auto repair company, your next step would be to purchase an air compressor and a good impact wrench. But you may need to watch out as your neighbors may be coming to you instead of their Utah auto repair garage.

Traveling along the interstate to an important function, no one wants to deal with the added stress of getting a flat tire along the way.  As you’re most-likely dressed up for the occasion, not only do you have to worry about punctuality, but keeping your clothes clean, as well.  With a disgruntled sigh, you pull over to the side of the road.

If you’re out in the middle of nowhere, you might have one of two problems.  You either can’t get a hold of your Utah auto repair company to come out to fix it for you, or you don’t have time to wait for them to get out there.  What do you do?

In either circumstance, you’re going to have to change your tire on your own.  Don’t worry; it really isn’t as hard as it sounds.  Later on you can take your damaged tire to your Utah auto repair company to patch it back up.

Since you’re wearing nice clothing, you want to avoid getting them dirty. It seems like no matter how hard you try, though, your clothes always end up with grease smudges on them.  A great suggestion is to buy yourself a pair of coveralls, disposable gloves, and some paper towels to keep in your vehicle at all times.

First drive your car (yes, you can move it) to a flat spot well off the road if you can.  Go fishing in the trunk and get out your spare tire, jack, and lug nut wrench.  Look in your owner’s manual to know where your jack should go.

Raise the jack until it just touches the car; do not raise it up.  If you have wheel covers, pull those off; they will take a good deal of force to remove them.  Then loosen, but do not completely remove, the lug nuts.

Now raise your vehicle and finish taking the lug nuts the rest of the way off.  Now is the especially tricky part of removing the tire.  If you have long sleeves, you had better roll them up.

Bring in the spare tire, the donut as it’s commonly referred to.  Put the spare tire on and screw the lug nuts in by hand at first.  Lower the vehicle and finish screwing on the lug nuts with the wrench.  Check again for good measure and you’re ready to go.  Don’t forget to get your tire repaired, or purchase a new one, at your Utah auto repair shop.

Having your own tools comes in handy in many ways. You’ll definitely save some money, and often time, by not having to rush to your Utah auto repair facility for every minor repair that needs to be made.  There are three general categories of tool sets.  You can have a basic tool set, medium tool set, or an advanced tool set.

Let’s talk a little about the build quality of tools.  Generally speaking, tools made in Taiwan are of a very low quality so don’t expect these to last long.  I’ve had some break or bend on their first use.

The best quality tools are made in the U.S.  These are expensive and are designed for years of continuous day to day use, the ones Utah auto repair mechanics use.  Of course they also cost the most.

While shopping for tools pay attention to warranties.  Good tools will have a lifetime warranty.  Also pay special attention to how to get your tools fixed or replaced.

The type of tools you will need will depend on the work you will be performing.  You can perform 75% of the repairs on your vehicle with only a basic tool set.  Having more than the basic set often makes those jobs easier, but they can be done without them.

You need to consider the amount of money you want to spend on tools and the frequency you will be using them.  If you use them only once in a blue moon, an inexpensive tool set will work just fine for you.  But they will not last long, generally 4-6 years depending on use.

A basic tool set will include metric wrenches and 6 point sockets sizes 4mm-19mm.  Most tool sets will not include every wrench and socket size, but they will include the most commonly used ones.  Most tool sets include a carrying case, but you’ll need a tool case to carry anything extra you get.

Examples of torque wrenches

One of the best tools to have is a good repair manual for your vehicle.  Adjustable wrenches, a torque wrench, deep sockets, extensions and adapters, ratcheting wrenches, and a good set of screw drivers, are handy to add to your collection of tools.  Having a tool set will get you more acquainted with your vehicle and allow you to keep your vehicle in great shape, hopefully preventing you from too many trips to your Utah auto repair garage.

If, or rather when, you get a flat tire you need to know what to do.  It can be particularly scary and frustrating to women who have little experience changing a tire.  This article is a step by step guide on how to do it.

The first step is to be safe.  If you have roadside assistance and a cell phone, give them a call.  Then put the hood up and sit in the passenger seat as it looks like you have someone else that went for help and would be right back.  Once roadside assistance arrives they will change the flat tire in very little time.  If you don’t have roadside assistance you can try to call your Utah auto repair shop or someone who can help you.

If you don’t have the option of calling for some help then you need to bite the bullet and change the tire. Make sure you have all the tools that you need for changing a tire already in your car.  It’s also good to have some hand wipes because you’re going to get dirty.

Start by positioning the car away from the road on a level patch of ground. Driving on the wheel with the blown tire can sometimes damage it, but it’s nothing your Utah auto repair shop can’t fix. It’s more important to find a safe place to change the tire. Familiarize yourself with the owner’s manual and the instructions on how to change a tire.  Pay special attention to where you need to put the jack as it needs to be placed in a specific spot or you will damage your vehicle.

Set your parking brake and put a couple of rocks or blocks in front and in back of the tires that are opposite of the one you’re changing ( if you’re changing a back tire put them on the two front tires and vice versa).   Remove the wheel cover (if you have one) with a screw driver.  Take the “L” shaped wrench and place it on a lug nut pointing straight to your left.  Hold onto the car with your hands to steady yourself and, using your foot stomp, down hard on the wrench.  If you are unable to budge it, you may need to stand on it and jump, but be careful.  You need to loosen the lug nuts but don’t take them off.  Remember the saying, “righty-tighty, lefty-loosey”.

Now use the jack to raise the vehicle until the tire is about 2 inches off of the ground.  Finish taking the lug nuts the rest of the way off and remove the tire.  Pay attention to which side of the lug nuts is facing out as they need to go back on in the right direction.  Next put the spare tire on.   Try to position the tire so you can lift it on and get it in place quickly.  Screw the lug nuts in by hand.  Again, make sure the tapered end is facing the right direction (facing the tire).

Don’t tighten the lug nuts all the way just yet as we don’t want the car falling off the jack.  Lower the jack and move it out of the way.  Now finish tightening the lug nuts.  When they are tight, position the lug nut wrench facing straight out to the right.  Hold onto the car with both hands and give the wrench a couple of good kicks.  Double check the lug nuts to be sure that they are tight.

Now it’s time to clean up and grab all your tools. Take your tire to your nearest Utah automotive repair shop so they can repair the hole. With some knowledge and a little practice you can feel confident in your ability to change a flat tire.

It’s important to be ready to change a flat when the unexpected happens.  Changing a flat tire can be a long, frustrating process if you aren’t prepared.  You may not always have your Utah Auto Repair shop nearby to rely on.  But, follow these steps and you’ll have smooth sailing and be on your way again.

The first step is to make sure that you have all the tools you need to change a tire.  This includes the spare tire, lug nut wrench, jack, and a lug nut key (for non-standard lug nuts), and maybe a screwdriver to remove wheel covers.  If you happened to purchase a used vehicle, some of them do not include these items.  It is also a good idea to keep some wipes or disposable gloves in your vehicle as your hands will most likely get dirty.

Make sure the spare tire is properly inflated.  The smaller donut tires require a much higher pressure, usually around 60 psi.  Regular size tires (such as those found in SUVs, trucks, and vehicles with AWD) use normal tire pressures, usually 35 psi.

Out of sight, out of mind makes forgetting to check the spare tire’s pressure a common problem.  Many spare tires are located under vehicles and being able to check them can be a bit of a hassle.  If you are able, position the spare tire such that you can easily get to the valve stem.

Position the car in a flat safe location.  If you need to move the car do so, just watch out for any sharp edges that may damage your wheel such as curbs or large rocks.  Wheels are strong so you can drive on them to get yourself off the road to a safe position.

Set your parking brake, and if you have a manual transmission, put it in 1^st gear to lock the front wheels.  You don’t want your car rolling off your jack while working on your car.  If changing a rear tire on a rear wheel drive vehicle chock the front wheels or put it in 4WD if you have it because the parking brake only locks the back wheels.

Once you’re prepared, changing the tire is a simple process.  After securing the vehicle, remove the wheel covers if you have them, so you can get to the lug nuts.  To remove wheel covers use a screw driver to pry them off or grab a section of the wheel cover and yank hard.  Make sure the lug nuts are not hot so that you do not strip them (causing an expensive tow to a Utah auto repair shop).

Position the jack under the vehicle and make sure it’ll fit.  If not, move the vehicle so it will.  Loosen every lug nut, but don’t take them all the way off.  Jack the vehicle up until the tire is 2 inches off the ground.  Do not crawl under the vehicle. Unscrew the lug nuts all the way and remove the flat tire, and replace it with the spare.  Start screwing on the lug nuts by hand to make sure they aren’t cross threaded.  Lower the vehicle and turn each lug nut a few turns running through a star or crisscross pattern two or three times until you have completely tightened all the lug nuts.  Take your vehicle to your favorite Utah auto repair place to have them fix your flat if able, and to make sure the lug nuts are at the correct torque setting.

Here are the six most common problems Utah brake repair shops face when a customer brings their vehicle in for repairs. No matter how good of a driver you are brake problems can happen. Stay safe, and pay attention to any problems in your brake system.

A major problem Utah brake repair shops face is squeaky brakes. A squeal may signify a brake problem. It may also be nothing at all and your brakes are functioning as they should. In this case, a gel can be applied to your brakes that will dampen the squeals.

Shaking felt while braking, especially in the steering wheel, is a common problem. Although it isn’t as serious as other problems, your braking performance will not be as efficient as it could be. This problem will require a bit more repair work compared to a normal brake pad change.

Another problem facing repair shops is that the ABS light is on. The car’s computer is telling you it has detected a malfunction in the ABS system and has turned it off. This could be a sensor or a computer issue. Remember that the brakes can lock up during heavy braking if your ABS isn’t on, decreasing braking performance.

A brake light that is turned on can be a problem. Do not go anywhere as this could be a serious safety issue. Check the fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir. Verify the parking brake is fully released. If neither of these is the issue then it’s most likely a sensor or a leak in a brake line.

Another issue that is brought to Utah brake repair shops is a mushy brake pedal. This could be due to air in the brake system or a leak. Do not drive your vehicle; have it towed to your Utah brake repair shop.
Lastly, a hard brake pedal can be a problem. Check to make sure nothing has rolled under the brake pedal. Other causes of a hard brake pedal can include a faulty brake boost, kinked brake line, or a bad master cylinder. Have your vehicle towed in if you have a hard brake pedal.

Know your car and how it operates. If you drive it frequently enough you should be able to notice when there is an issue with your braking system. Have your car towed to a repair shop rather than drive it if you suspect a serious problem.

Brake lines generally last longer than the life of the vehicle.  But a small leak in the brake system can cause your brakes to fail.  If you find a leak, take it in to your favorite Utah brake repair shop as soon as you can.

Every six months spend some quality time looking at the various systems of your vehicle.  As part of your inspection check the brake lines.  By doing so you will be able to spot a potential leak early and have it repaired by a Utah brake repair company before it becomes an issue.

It may also be a good idea to do a quick 3 minute check every week.  Open up the hood and check all fluids to make certain they are at their proper levels.  The transmission fluid can be a little tricky to check, but all other fluids you should be able to quickly check.

One of the most important fluids to check is the brake fluid.  The brake fluid level will drop as the brake pads and shoes wear.  Do not let the level drop below the low level line.

If you find yourself adding brake fluid to the brake fluid reservoir more than once within a short amount of time then you most likely have a leak in the brake system.  The most likely place of a leak is at the wheels.  Old and worn out rubber seals can crack causing leakage.

For the semi-annual checkup have a systematic way of checking all the components of your vehicle.  You can inspect by area or by systems.  Take your time to thoroughly look at everything.

The easiest way to inspect your vehicle is to first take a look at everything that you can see with the vehicle on the ground.  With the engine running look for vibrations, sounds, and smells that may be indication of a problem.  Keep your hands away from moving parts.

Secure the vehicle in the air in a manner that will allow you to move around underneath.  Follow each line and gently tug on them to detect any worn mounts.  Look for signs of rust or wear, especially near turns, connections, and mounts.  By spotting these problems early on you can have your local Utah brake repair shop replace worn parts and avoid the surprises of an unexpected repair.

Brake Layout

Before taking your vehicle to your local Utah brake repair company it doesn’t hurt to go on the Internet and read about how vehicle systems work.  There is a lot of good information there to help you be more knowledgeable so you’ll know what your mechanic is talking about.  Some of my favorite sites are howstuffworks.com and YouTube.

Here are some suggestions to help your brakes last longer so that you don’t have to take your car to a Utah brake repair place as often.  You want to avoid hot brakes like the plague.  Hot brakes can wreck havoc for your system and can pose a safety risk.

Avoid riding your brakes.  When you ride your brakes you’re constantly building up heat.  It’s best to give your brakes a rest for a bit, and then use moderate braking force.  When going downhill use your engine to help slow you down.

Keeping your brakes clean will also help.  A layer of dirt and grime will help to insulate the heat instead of dissipate it.  When you wash your car, use a wheel cleaner which won’t harm your fancy rims.

If you work on your brakes or have them worked on by your favorite Utah brake repair garage keep in mind the following.  It is important to clean all components of the brake system.  Grease can create hard spots on the surfaces of the friction material resulting in squeaking and shaking and another brake repair job before it needs to be done.

Because brake friction material is usually made out of metal sometimes squeaks and squeals can be a pain.  To help avoid this use an anti-squeak compound on the surfaces where metal touches metal (but not on the friction material).  They make a spray and a gel form and many brake pads will come with some.

If you are getting your car worked on at a shop ask to see the damage.  Then you can decide whether or not they need to be replaced.  There’s no need to pay to have something done before it needs it.

If you are not sure where to take your car to have the brakes looked at ask around to see where others like to go.  There are many tire and brake specialty stores.  The advantage of these types of stores is that they are specialized in those fields and for the most part perform quality work.

Let’s face it, owning a car is expensive.  Not only do you have to pay for fuel, insurance, and registration but for repairs also, such as when you go down to your favorite Utah brake repair garage.  And these repairs can be pricey.

People are keeping their vehicles longer because they are more reliable and last longer.  In 1969 the average age for a car was 5.1 years. But, jump forward to 1990 and it was 6.5 years, and by 2007 it grew to 9.4 years.

Although the cost of maintenance has gone up since the 1960s (accounting for inflation) the annual amount spent is less.  This is due to the reliability of new vehicles.  For instance new vehicles can go 150,000 miles before a tune-up where older vehicles needed one every 30,000 miles.

Accounting for inflation, in 1960 the average cost to repair a mid-size car was $8,053.  In 1970 it dropped to $7,770.  By 1990 it was down to $6,880.

Car manufacturers and experts stress that the best way to keep your vehicle running for a long time is to perform routine maintenance.  By keeping your car operating efficiently it will last longer.  Paying $150 in maintenance a year can save you the $3-5 thousand for a new (used) engine.

To help you not be overwhelmed when a repair does come up, save $50 every month for repairs and maintenance.  Even a simple trip to your Utah brake repair shop will average $350.  There are some items you can anticipate such as replacing tires (avg. $400), but it’s always a good idea to have some cash when the unexpected happens.

If you need to fix your air conditioning system expect to spend $700. To repair your engine cooling system will cost you about$ 465. For a new transmission you’re looking at $3000.

Inspect your vehicle regularly; don’t just let your Utah brake repair shop do it for you.  Pay attention to anything out of the ordinary, such as vibrations, sounds, or smells. Catching something early can help you to save a lot of money later on.