Worn, old, or even cheaply-made tires can be hazardous to your vehicle’s handling and fuel efficiency, not to mention it is incredibly dangerous to drive with bad tires: a blow out while driving is sure to turn your knuckles white as you grip the steering wheel to try and navigate your vehicle to the side of the road. Luckily, Mount Airy Toyota’s Service Center can get you the exact replacements you need and at a very competitive price.
Our factory-trained and certified Toyota technicians will ensure that your tires are mounted, balanced, and inflated to match your Toyota vehicle's specifications.
What makes November tire month? With that hot summer behind us and a cold winter ahead of us, this is the most important time to check your tires. Drastic seasonal change means drivers need to be sure their tires can handle the cooling weather. During those hot spring and summer months, your car’s tires were worn and stretched from changes in air pressure, and extreme heat—like what we experience here in the South—tends to cause dry rot.
Before your next car ride, complete the following steps to make sure you don’t end up stranded:
- Check the tire pressure and if any are low get them filled right away. If a tire, or tires, are extremely low we recommend not driving it unless there is a service station nearby. Otherwise, it’s a good idea to have someone come and fill your low tires.
- Have your tires rotated regularly. Our service department can keep your tires lasting as long as possible with regular rotations and check-ups.
- Have your tires professionally aligned. Anytime you get new tires or have been driving on the same ones for a year or so, it’s a good idea to have them checked and aligned.
- Keep an eye on the tread of each tire. (More on this in a minute.)
- Make sure your spare is in good repair. You hope to never need your spare, but if the time ever comes when you do need it, make sure it is full and ready for use.
Do I Need New Tires?
The Penny Test just got a lot more expensive; time for the Quarter Test. If you aren’t aware of the Penny Test, this was a method used to check the tread in tires to see if they need replacing. The test is taking a penny, turning it upside down so the top of Honest Abe’s head is pointed towards the car tire’s tread. Press the penny between the rows and see how much of his head is visible. The more of his head you can see, the better the chance you need new tires.
This test is still a valid way to check your tires, but instead of using a penny, it has been found that a quarter is more accurate at finding the standard minimum depth of 4/32.”
Winter Tires
Not everyone needs snow tires, but anywhere there is a possibility of ice or snow—even the slightest chance—we advise looking into purchasing a set. They don't have to be incredibly expensive, and they can help keep you safe on the road this winter. With their intricate designs and soft rubber, they grip the ice and snow for better traction.
This winter we like the Nokian Hakkapelitta. They start at around $120 per tire and are worth every penny. With Nokian, you get superior performance, especially on ice, but great traction through the snow as well. Nokian has a long history with winter tires, and creates a great one for a good price—$120 may seem a little high, but believe me, those prices can get much higher.
If you want to pay a little less, you should look at either the Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 or the Michelin X-Ice X13. Both are noted as being equally effective in winter conditions and are highly recommended for anyone who lives in areas that drop in temperature to below 45 degrees. With a price of $85 they are more than affordable, and if taken care of, will last at least three to four seasons.
Lastly, you can’t go wrong with a General Altimax Arctic. Though this suitable tire is not noted as being quite up to par with the Nokian Hakkapelitta, or the Blizzak and X-Ice, it still comes highly recommended by experts and owners alike. At around $50, it’s the best snow tire for the price, and a great option for those living in areas that don’t get a lot of snow, but do experience a little ice in the winter.
Stay safe this winter by switching into snow tires. Take good care of them with routine check-ups and change them out when needed. You won’t regret it.
Sure winter snow can be beautiful and a lot of fun. But when it comes to driving in it there are many potential dangers that, if prepared for in advance, can be avoided. This said, it is shocking how many drivers do not prepare themselves for these possibly treacherous conditions. Here are two basic rules that can keep you safe while driving this winter season:
1. Anticipate what is ahead. Driving on ice and snow requires smooth, precise, and careful control of the steering wheel. Try and keep your wheels straight as much as possible, and when you do have to turn, slowly turn the wheel—this will require you to anticipate turns ahead of time so that you do not end up sliding into other lanes, or worse, off the road. Just remember, you want to avoid any sharp movements of your vehicle. Slow and steady gets you there safely.
2. Know your stopping distances. Slowing down, for upcoming turns or otherwise, requires much more distance when driving on snow or ice. Be sure that you have clear visibility of road signs, stoplights, and other cars so that you can break well before you reach them. When you do apply the brakes, keep your heal on the floor and softly press the brake peddle with the ball of your foot. Again, try and keep your steering as straight as possible to avoid any skidding. If you do happen to hit a patch of ice and feel the vehicle begin to slip, start to pump the brakes by letting off the peddle and pressing (softly) it back down over and over until you regain control of the vehicle. If this does happen, be sure to remain calm and keep your movements soft and slow.
With braking and steering under control, drivers can navigate through snow and ice in a controlled and safe way. A word to the wise though, beware of other drivers who do not know these two rules—you can recognize them by their jerky movements and inability to keep from skidding—and keep as much distance between you and them as possible.
Time To Upgrade
If you find your tires are out of shape, or even if you just aren’t sure if they need replacing, our certified technicians can help with tire alignment, tire rotation, tire installation, and tire patching.
Our qualified tire installers and alignment specialists do not require an appointment, and we offer the 110% Price Guarantee—a program where Mount Airy Toyota will beat any price on any tire, no matter the make or brand. If you can show evidence of someone offering a tire at a lower price, we will beat it!
Here’s how you can find your tires without leaving the comfort and safety of your own home:
Access our service center website and scroll down to where you can fill in your vehicle’s specific information—year, make, model, trim and click “shop now” to immediately get a full list of tires and prices for your car.
Once you find what you want, you can purchase or contact us to get more information on the tires, the process of having them put on, etc. We can also go over our COVID protocols so you can see how we take every precaution necessary to get you back to safely driving on the road. (Shop for tires now and take advantage of our sale: buy three tires and get the fourth for $1!)
We love saving our customers money, and nothing makes us feel better than knowing you are driving on tires that grip the road and hug those turns.
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