Resource | Chapel Hill Tire

November 29, 2021November 29, 2021

Cold Weather Care: Radiator Repair, Coolant Flushes, & Hose Services

Mechanic holding the cap to a car's radiator

Cold weather can create all sorts of trouble for your vehicle. You might find your low tire pressure light on as the air begins to compress. Perhaps your battery light comes on as the cold makes it challenging for your vehicle to start. However, one less noticeable effect of the cold weather is radiator damage. Our local mechanics are here with everything you need to know about cold weather and vehicle radiator care.

Why is the Cold Weather Bad For Radiators?

You might be wondering, “Why does the cold weather put my radiator at risk?” When the temperatures begin to drop, the coolant inside your radiator can begin to partially freeze. While antifreeze will not freeze until it reaches -36℉, coolant is actually a mixture of antifreeze and water. Unlike antifreeze, water freezes at 32℉. As such, your radiator fluid can begin partially freezing during the cold winter nights.

Radiator Troubles and Cold Weather

So what happens when your radiator fluid begins to freeze? This process can cause a few adverse side effects, including:

The metal components of your radiator can begin to contract
Your radiator fluid can begin to expand
Radiator fluid can leak through damaged components
Your radiator hoses and hose clamps can become loose or damaged

In these cases, your vehicle will require professional radiator diagnostics and repair services. This may involve hose replacement, radiator replacements, hose tightening services, or coolant services, among others.

Preventing Radiator Damage in the Cold Weather

Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to keep your radiator protected. How do you prevent cold weather radiator troubles? Here are three main tips from our mechanics:

Park in the Garage: The easiest way to stop the cold weather from impacting your radiator is to park in the garage. This will protect your car from frost and ease the impacts of the harshest temperatures.
Vehicle Covers: If you cannot park in your garage, you might consider investing in a vehicle cover. These will help trap in the heat of your vehicle and insulate your engine from the cold.
Radiator Fluid Flush: Your radiator will be especially prone to cold weather impacts if it hasn’t received proper care. Sludge and debris in your radiator can impact the coolant freezing point and make your radiator more susceptible to cold weather problems. As such, it is essential you maintain your manufacturer-recommended radiator fluid flush routine.
Routine Vehicle Maintenance: During routine service visits—such as your oil changes—your mechanic should take a look under the hood to visually inspect your belts and hoses. This will allow you to catch certain radiator issues early and minimize damage.

Chapel Hill Tire Radiator Repair and Replacement Services

When your vehicle runs into winter radiator troubles, the local mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire can help. We offer the experienced care that you need to ensure that your vehicle is protected. Chapel Hill Tire proudly serves the greater Triangle area with 9 locations throughout Raleigh, Apex, Chapel Hill, Durham, and Carrboro. Our local mechanics offer convenient pick-up/delivery service—as well as a wide variety of coupons, deals, and promotions. We invite you to make your appointment here online or give us a call to get started today!

November 19, 2021March 4, 2024

What’s Up With That? Those Numbers On Tires’ Sidewalls

What are those numbers are numbers on the side of your car’s tires?

Your tires’ age can have a number of effects on your vehicle’s performance and safety. As tires age, they’re more likely to develop cracks inside and outside of them that can harm your control over the vehicle, reduce fuel efficiency, and increase the risk of a blowout. Fortunately, the Department of Transportation (DOT) requires all tire manufacturers to include DOT codes on their tires that provide information about the tire’s age and other factors.

As you try to assess the condition of your tires and determine when to replace them, it’s essential to understand how to read DOT codes for your and your vehicle’s safety.

What Are DOT Codes on Tires?

DOT codes are standardized tire identification numbers or codes located on both sides of your tire’s sidewall. These codes will always begin with the abbreviation for the Department of Transportation, “DOT,” and the following numbers and letters will provide information on the tire’s manufacturing plant, size, brand characteristics, and age.

How Do You Decode Tire DOT Numbers? How to Read Your Tire’s DOT Code

If you’d like to check your tire’s DOT code, you can do so fairly easily when you know what each of the numbers and letters means. Below, you can find a breakdown of each part of the DOT code:

DOT: Before you begin to read your DOT code, look for the letters “DOT” on your tire’s sidewall. This abbreviation is the beginning of the DOT code and simply stands for “Department of Transportation.”
Tire plant code: Once you’ve located the DOT, the next two characters are the tire’s plant code. Typically, these codes contain one number and one letter, and these characters will tell you what manufacturing plant produced the tire. This code can be useful if an alert has gone out about safety issues, tire recalls, or other tire issues. With this code, you can check if your tires have been affected and need to be replaced.
Tire size code: After the two-character tire plant code, you’ll see a two-digit tire size code. While these codes used to follow universal tire size codes, the DOT now allows manufacturers to make up their own tire codes. Since tire size codes can vary by manufacturer and are often confusing, it’s usually more convenient to check your vehicle’s tire size by reading your owner’s manual or viewing the tire information on your tire panel, which is located on the door frame of the driver’s side door.
Tire manufacturer characteristics: Following the tire size code are three characters that provide information on the tire manufacturer’s characteristics. Like the tire size code, this code isn’t usually very helpful to drivers, as it often provides brand-specific information that will vary by the manufacturer.
Tire age: When you want to check the age of your tires, the final four numbers in your tire’s DOT code will tell you when it was made. For example, if the last four digits are “1520”, your tire was made in the 15th week — or about April 10 — of 2020. As soon as we pass the 15th week (April 10) of 2025, you want new tires, no matter how thick the tread might be. This code can be especially helpful if you’re not sure how old your tire is and you’re wondering if you need to replace your tires soon.

Does a Tire’s Age Matter? When Should You Replace Your Tires?

Typically, tires last around five years, and the average American drives 13,476 miles per year. Since average tires these days will go about 60,000 miles, the average American will wear out their tread in around four or five years and won’t need to worry about checking their DOT code for the tire’s age. During an annual vehicle inspection, a mechanic can check your tread depth, and if you drive at a rate close to the average American, the mechanic will likely recommend you replace the tires around the four or five-year mark.

While the average driver will likely need to replace their tires every four to five years, some people drive much more than the average and may want tires that can give them 80,000 miles or more of tread life. In this case, they’ll likely want to look for high-mileage tires designed to last longer, and even with these tires, they’ll often need to replace them before four or five years have passed.

Drivers who don’t drive very often can gain the most value out of checking the final four digits of the DOT code. Since these drivers may not reach their tires’ expected mileage over five years, they might forget to replace them at the five-year mark. Quickly checking the tire age with the DOT code can let them know if five years have passed, and if they have, they’ll want to start thinking about new tires.

Regardless of a tire’s mileage or tread depth, tires over five years old are at risk of oxidation, which leads to cracks in the tires that put you at a greater risk of a blowout. Due to the high risk of oxidation occurring after five years, tires over five years old should almost always be replaced.

Choose Chapel Hill Tire for Tire Replacement Services in Raleigh

If you want help decoding your tire’s DOT code or are looking for other tire services in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, or the surrounding areas, Chapel Hill Tire can help. Our team of certified mechanics is happy to inspect your tires and answer questions you might have about your tires’ age, tread, or driving ability. If an inspection reveals it’s time to get some new tires, our Price Beat Guarantee makes sure you get the best price on exactly the ones you want.Review our selection of tires and tire services today. If you’re ready to bring your car in for tire service, please schedule an appointment at one of our Triangle area locations.

November 19, 2021November 19, 2021

Our Community: Erin Matson

Aerial photo showing green trees and buildings

UNC Field Hockey star inspires us to strive for excellence in all we do.

UNC Women’s Field Hockey star Erin Matson continuously strives for excellence both on and off the field. As captain of the Tar Heels National Championship Field Hockey Team, she is an exemplary athlete. As an advertising and public relations major at UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media, she is a great student. We couldn’t be more grateful to have Erin as part of our Chapel Hill Tire community.

Raised in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, some might say that Erin was destined to be a great athlete. After all, her mom Jill played softball and field hockey at Yale while her dad Brian played baseball at Delaware. Erin quickly grew up to be a star field hockey player. In high school, she earned All-America and All-Region honors, worked as a youth field hockey coach, excelled academically, and secured a spot on the UNC Field Hockey team.

Erin started in all 23 field hockey games in her freshman year, led UNC in goals and assists, and earned numerous accolades throughout the season. Raising the bar in her sophomore year, she led the nation in points and goals per game. As a junior, she was named first-team All-America for the third year in a row. Now, as a senior, she is also a member of the U.S. National Field Hockey Team.

Her classroom performance matches her on-the-field excellence. She has been named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll and the NFHCA National Academic Squad. After she graduates, she hopes to continue working with leaders, and aspires to earn a position at Nike. Despite all of her accomplishments and ambitions, though, Erin still enjoys the simple things in life. When she’s not helping her team win or mastering her course material, she enjoys going to the beach, attending yoga classes, or just spending the day shopping or watching sports with friends and family.

We feel very fortunate to have recently partnered with Erin in a Name-Image-Likeness deal and feel very proud to have her as part of our Chapel Hill Tire family. We look forward to cheering her on both on and off the field as she continues to strive for excellence.

November 19, 2021November 19, 2021

Our Values: The Work Happy, Drive Happy Movement

We believe happy employees create the happy customers who create a thriving business

When Monday morning rolls around, Chapel Hill Tire’s family of employees has good reason to get out of bed with a smile. Waking up feeling rested after having a weekend with their families, they drive into work happy — knowing that whatever the day brings, they’ll have their team members to support them.

“If someone asks for help, you help ‘em. No one wins unless everyone wins.” — Curt Romanow, service advisor

There’s a real sense of community that’s born out of one of Chapel Hill Tire’s guiding values: We believe in winning together to see growth for everyone. This means treating every person that walks into a Chapel Hill Tire location — employees and customers — like family. When you work here, striving for excellence becomes a team sport, and accountability to our commitments is supported by every member of the team.

“I wanted to be treated like I was part of a family. I wanted to be respected, treated well, and listened to. I found that at Chapel Hill Tire,” — Peter Rozzell, manager

This is what your workday could be — and it’s a perfect example of the Drive Happy, Work Happy movement that we’re living each day here at Chapel Hill Tire.

The Core Values of the Drive Happy, Work Happy Movement

When faced with both personal and professional challenges, Chapel Hill Tire owner Marc Pons asked himself a question that’s changed his company forever: What were his deepest values? And how could he make those values an integral part of working at Chapel Hill Tire, no matter your position?

Over time, those values have been clarified into the five principles of our Drive Happy, Work Happy Manifesto.

First, we Journey Together and Grow Together. This means offering not just a job, but a career at every level of employment — something that gives you unparalleled opportunities for growth, achievement, and meaning in your career.

“Chapel Hill Tire has not only helped me grow as a mechanic, but also as a person,” — Aaron Sinderman, service technician

To do this, We Care A Lot. We believe in empowering people through our shared set of values, and working with a spirit of gratitude and helpfulness with everyone we meet.

“People were talking about values and what they believe in and how it guides them at work, and I was taken aback. It was unlike anything I’d experienced before. Once I saw it in action, though, I knew this was a place I wanted to be.” — Terry Govereau, human resources director

And to make sure we walk the walk, We’re Accountable to Ourselves, Each Other, and Our Community. This means doing the right thing — even when nobody’s watching. It means following the golden rule in business as well as in life, and giving credit where credit’s due. When one of us wins, everyone wins.

We Say Yes to Top Notch Customer Service. Striving together to be the best darned auto repair shop in the world, we’re committed to making every visit to Chapel Hill Tire one that’s fulfilling and satisfying. And if there’s a “gray area”, our policy is to side with the customer’s interests.

Overall, We’re Not Just Any Car Place. We’re striving to be the example for how auto repair shops should operate, by taking care of our people, giving them a real work-life balance and continual opportunities for growth.

“I wanted to find a place of work that would help me build my future… at Chapel Hill Tire… I get to expand my knowledge and learn more every day.”— Jess Cervantes, Service Advisor

We genuinely believe that our values-based approach to business makes us stand out from the competition, and hope that the example we set will start to change the perception and reputation of this industry, one customer (and one employee) at a time.

We don’t just believe that this is what your workday could be — we know that it’s what your workday should be. Your work should be an integral part of what makes waking up everyday worthwhile. And we want to make that a reality, for as many people as we can. If those values resonate with you as much as they do with us, we’d love to hear from you.

November 19, 2021November 22, 2021

What’s New: Fill Your Holiday Season With 12 Days of Kindness

repeating pattern of "Be Kind" in bold letters with a heart social media icon

Chapel Hill Tire’s annual giving challenge is a great way to have fun and support local charities

Building on the success of their first 12 Days of Kindness giving challenge in 2020, the folks at Chapel Hill Tire have found ways to make this year’s event even more fun, more engaging, and more beneficial to local charities. A new app allows teams to try to outdo each other in acts of kindness. New augmented reality functions add some extra fun, and each Chapel Hill Tire shop has made itself available as a drop-off location, to make it even easier to participate.

“This is the time of year to come together as a community,” said Chapel Hill Tire president and co-owner Marc Pons, “to open our hearts and give to others. That’s really what the 12 Days of Kindness are all about. We wanted to create a fun way for people in the Triangle to show just how kind and generous our communities are.”

The 12 Days of Kindness is a simple competition powered by an app. Six local charities have been selected as the beneficiaries. Boys and Girls Club of Wake County and Note in the Pocket represent Wake County. Book Harvest and Meals On Wheels represent Durham County. Orange County is represented by the SECU Family House and the Refugee Support Center.

“Each charity will have its own team,” said Pons, “and teams will earn points for completing some easy activities and acts of kindness. You can join any team you want and do as many of the activities and acts of kindness as you like. At the end of the 12 Days, the team that has the most points will earn $3,000 for its charity, the second place team will earn a $2,000 donation, and we will donate $1,000 to the charity of the third-place team. Every one of the six charities will be a winner, though. The acts of kindness are donations of items each charity has selected, and teams earn the most points by donating to the other charities. So, the best way to earn the cash prize for your charity is to give the most to the others.”

Participation is easy. Just download the OmniscapeXR app from the App store or Google Play, subscribe to our Season of ‘Kindness Campaign’, pick a team, decide which acts of kindness you’d like to perform, and start racking up the points. The app will show you where to drop off your donations. And it will feature a leaderboard to show you which teams – and which individual players – are in front. Plus, you can use the app to find and collect some really fun holiday-themed augmented reality extras, such as collectable Christmas elves at the drop-off locations and other AR rewards to help add some joy to the season.

“We invite everyone in the Triangle to join us,” said Pons. “The 12 Days start on Wednesday, December 8 and run through Monday, December 20. It’s going to be a lot of fun, so invite some friends, and let’s get together to fill our holiday season with kindness, good cheer, and goodwill.”

About Transmira

Transmira, Inc. is a Raleigh, North Carolina-based start-up monetizing Metaverse XR technologies. The company is the developer of Omniscape™, the first blockchain-based XR platform that blends augmented and virtual reality together with a focus on location, virtual goods, and commercial opportunities for brands, businesses, smart cities, and content-creators.

November 18, 2021

Is Jumping-Starting a Dead Car Battery Safe?

Car battery burning up in the summer heat

As the weather cools down, you might find your car struggling to start. How do you jump-start a car battery? Is it safe? Can jump-starting another battery drain your own? The mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire are here to answer all of your questions about batteries.

Why Do So Many Car Batteries Die in the Winter?

Before we dive in, you might be wondering why your car battery gave out. So why do car batteries die in the winter?

Oil troubles: Engine oil moves more slowly at cold temperatures, which will require an extra surge of power from your battery. This issue is especially troubling if you are due for an oil change.
Depleted charge: The “charge” in your car battery is maintained by an electrochemical reaction. The colder weather slows down this process—which drops some of your battery’s power.
Summer battery damage: While the cold winter weather will slow down your battery, it will not damage your battery. The summer heat, on the other hand, can cause some structural battery damage. This damage will leave your battery unable to fight the effects of the cold weather.

You can prevent damage to your battery by parking in the garage. Batteries also die simply because they are due for a replacement. Even in ideal conditions, your car battery will need to be replaced every 3-4 years.

Is It Safe to Jump-Start a Dead Car Battery?

If you follow all safety precautions, jumping a dead car battery is completely safe. Here is a look at some of the safety measures you should follow:

Make sure both cars are turned off when connecting the jumper cables.
Always connect the cables to the dead battery first.
Once there is power running through the cables, take precautions when handling them. Do not touch the two ends of the cables together.
Do not touch the two vehicles together.
Every vehicle and engine is unique. To ensure your safety and the safety of your vehicle, please read and follow all jump-starting instructions in your owner’s manual.
If you feel unsafe using jumper cables, consider investing in a jump-starter pack.

So how do you jump-start a car battery? Chapel Hill Tire has a full 8 step guide here.

Do I Need a New Car Battery?

A drained car battery is different from a dead car battery. For example, if you leave your headlights on overnight, it might drain even a new car battery. However, a simple jump-start will be enough to get you going. As you drive, your healthy battery will regain and keep this charge.

Conversely, once a battery has gone bad, it will require a battery replacement service. Worn, old, and corroded car batteries will not hold a charge. Rather, you should bring it straight to a mechanic after your jump-start. How can you tell if your battery has gone bad?

Did it die on its own? If so, it has likely gone bad. Otherwise, if you notice a light or another factor that drained your car battery, you might still be okay.
Is your battery older? Car batteries will require replacement roughly every 3 years.
Do you notice corrosion on your car battery? This indicates battery deterioration.

When none of these situations may apply to you, your alternator or starting system could be the problem. While it is rare, you may also have gotten a “lemon” battery replacement. In these cases, an experienced mechanic can help find and repair the source of your troubles.

Is Jump-Starting a Battery Bad for Your Car?

So what about your car when jump-starting another battery? This process will put slight stress on your battery and alternator. However, in most cases, this process is harmless. A healthy battery will be unfazed by the jump-start, and your battery will recharge as you drive.

However, If done improperly, jump-starting another car can pose some risks for your vehicle. You will want to ensure your car is about the same size as the other vehicle. Too much of a power surge can impact the other car’s electrical system. Meanwhile, not enough power will strain your charge without successfully jump-starting the other car. You will also want to ensure that you follow all of the manufacturer’s recommendations in your owner’s manual.

Chapel Hill Tire Battery Replacement Services

When you are due for a new car battery, the professionals at Chapel Hill Tire have you covered. We proudly serve the greater Triangle area with 9 locations across Raleigh, Apex, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. You can make your appointment here online or give us a call to get started today!

November 12, 2021November 12, 2021

A Guide to Hybrid Vehicle Care

When you switch to a hybrid car, you might feel like everything you used to know about car care has changed. There are some similarities and differences when it comes to hybrid maintenance. The mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire are here with a guide to the service your hybrid vehicle needs.

Hybrid Battery Maintenance and Services

Hybrid vehicle batteries are much larger and more complex than standard automotive batteries. As such, it is especially important that you provide the care it needs. Here are some tips on maintenance and care for hybrid batteries:

Keep your hybrid parked in the garage to protect the battery from the summer heat and winter chills.
Have a professional clean your battery to remove debris and corrosion.
Hybrid batteries last much longer than standard car batteries. They are often warrantied to last between 5 to 10 years, depending on your manufacturer. However, when your battery begins to fail, you will need a hybrid battery repair or replacement from an experienced hybrid professional.

Inverter Tune-Ups for Hybrids

The inverter is the “brain” of your hybrid vehicle. Hybrids store the energy generated by your braking system in a DC (direct current) battery. Your inverter converts this into AC (alternating current) energy to power your vehicle. This process generates a lot of heat, which the inverter’s cooling system works to neutralize. As such, the inverter system may require routine coolant flushes, among other repair or replacement services.

Transmission Fluid Service and Transmission Repairs

Transmissions are responsible for moving power from your hybrid’s engine to the wheels. Different brands of hybrid vehicles collect and distribute power differently, which means there are a few different transmissions on the market. Depending on your transmission type and manufacturer recommendations, you may require regular transmission fluid flushes. It is essential to visit a mechanic experienced in hybrid vehicles for transmission checks, services, and repairs.

Hybrid Tire Services

Tire needs are standard across hybrid, electric, and standard vehicles. Here is a look at some of the services your hybrid may need:

Tire rotation: To keep your tires protected and wearing evenly, your hybrid tires will require regular rotations.
Wheel alignment: When your alignment is skewed, it can cause a wide range of tire and vehicle troubles. Your hybrid will require as-needed alignment services.
Tire replacement: Every tire has a limited lifespan. When your hybrid vehicle tires become worn or old, they will need to be replaced.
Tire patching: Most drivers will inevitably find a nail in their tire at some point. Assuming the tie is overall in good condition, this will require a patching service.
Inflation services: Low tire pressure can cause added stress to your hybrid engine, tires, and battery.

Service and Maintenance Benefits of Hybrid Cars

Too often, hybrid vehicles are given a bad reputation for their service and repair requirements. However, with the right professionals on your side, these services are easy and affordable. Additionally, there are several areas of maintenance where hybrid vehicles require less care than standard cars:

Frequent battery replacement: Most vehicles require a new battery roughly every three years. Hybrid batteries are much larger and more sustainable. As such, they require very few replacements.
Frequent braking system maintenance: When you slow or stop a standard vehicle, the friction and power are absorbed by the braking system. As such, standard vehicles require frequent brake pad replacement, rotor resurfacing/replacement, brake fluid flush, and other services. However, regenerative braking absorbs this power and uses it to fuel the vehicle’s movements. As such, they do not require frequent brake pad replacements.
Oil change routine differences: Hybrid vehicles do still require oil changes. However, when you are driving at low speeds, the hybrid’s battery will kick in and give your engine a break. As such, the engine will not require as frequent oil changes.

Service needs, recommendations, and routines will vary by vehicle and manufacture. Driving patterns and road conditions can also impact your ideal maintenance requirements. You can find the exact service schedule for your vehicle in your owner’s manual. A professional mechanic can also take a look under the hood to tell you which hybrid services you may need.

Chapel Hill Tire Hybrid Services

If you need hybrid vehicle service in the greater Triangle area, Chapel Hill Tire is here for you. We have nine locations across Raleigh, Durham, Apex, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro. Our mechanics will also come to you! We serve drivers in nearby cities as well with service areas extending to Cary, Pittsboro, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Morrisville, and beyond! We invite you to make your appointment to get started today!

November 4, 2021November 4, 2021

Why is Only One of My Tires Worn Out?

Two tires side-by-side. One is completely worn down while the other looks new

Like most mechanics and auto technicians, the experts at Chapel Hill Tire recommend looking over your tires once a month to ensure they look healthy. On occasion, drivers will find that one of their tires has suddenly gone bald of tread. What causes this strange tire phenomenon? Here is a look at 7 possible problems you might be experiencing.

Problem 1: Wheel Alignment Issues

Ideally, your tires are all angled correctly to evenly meet the road. Over time, bumps in the road can throw off the alignment of one or more of your wheels. Naturally, this will cause disproportionate wear to the misaligned tire(s). Your wheel will face rolling resistance and additional friction on the road—causing it to quickly go bald.

While all tires are subject to alignment troubles, this most often impacts the front right tire and front left tire. Alignment troubles are the most common problem for drivers who find just one of their tires worn out. Thankfully, the solution here is simple: wheel alignment service.

Problem 2: Skipped Tire Rotations

If you find one (or both) of your front tires worn out, you might think back to the last time you had your tires rotated. In general, your front tires will wear faster than your rear tires. Why?

Weight: Your front tires often bear more weight than your rear tires because of the engine placement.
Steering and turning: Most cars have front-wheel drive (FWD)—meaning only the front wheels turn to steer your car. Turning results in additional friction against the road.
Road hazards: Drivers have a little more time to correct their steering for back tires when encountering potholes and other road hazards.

This is why tire manufacturers recommend regular tire rotations. Tire rotations help your tires wear evenly by ensuring they balance out the impact of road and driving hazards.

Problem 3: Mis-Matched Tires

Every tire brand works to make unique tires. Unfortunately, some tire brands are known to last longer than others. The tread patterns, rubber composition, threading, age, and so many other factors contribute to a tire’s lifespan. In some cases, mismatched tires will not create any problems. In other cases, it could potentially contribute to tires wearing at different rates.

Problem 4: Inflation Differences

Proper tire inflation is vital to your tire health. If one of your tires is running with low tire pressure, it can quickly cause structural damage. We commonly see this problem when there is an undetected nail in the tire. Overinflation can also cause uneven tire tread wear. You can check your tire information panel on the frame of your car near your driver’s seat to ensure your tires stay inflated to the ideal PSI. Alternatively, there are easy ways to score free tire pressure refills at your local mechanic shop.

Problem 5: Used Tire Inconsistencies

If you buy your tires used, you never truly know what you are getting or the exact history of each tire. One of them might have older rubber, prior damage, or a compromised structure. As such, buying used could be the reason one of your tires has worn more quickly than the others.

Problem 6: Driving Factors

On occasion, a tire problem has nothing to do with the tire. Are the roads in your area uneven and bumpy? Perhaps you hit the same unavoidable potholes each day? Driving habits, road conditions, and other factors specific to your situation can impact your tire health. These conditions may also lead to one tire wearing faster than the others—especially without proper rotations.

Problem 7: Tire Age Differences

The age of a tire’s rubber heavily affects how it drives, how it wears, and how safe it is on the road. If one of your tires is older than the rest, it will likely wear early. You can find our full guide to tire age here.

Should You Replace All the Tires or Just the One?

If you catch tire wear early, you may be able to avoid replacement. However, if one of your tires is disproportionately worn out, it will need to be replaced during your service visit. In these cases, some drivers opt to have all four tires replaced if they are getting old or nearing replacement. This will help keep all of the tires on the same routine. It also avoids issues with newer tire tread gripping harder than the others.

Conversely, you can often save money by replacing just the single worn-out tire. This is especially true if your three remaining tires are in good shape. However, it is essential to find a tire with a similar composition and tread pattern. If possible, match your new tire to the brand of your remaining tires to avoid any problems. Thankfully, this is easy to do when you buy your new tires online.

Chapel Hill Tire Alignment and Tire Services

If you find that one of your tires has gone bald, the professionals at Chapel Hill Tire are here to help. We offer tire alignment, balancing, inflation, replacement, and other mechanic services. If you don’t have time to visit one of your 9 Triangle-area locations, we will come to you with our suite of convenient car care services. Best of all, you can get the lowest possible prices on your new tires with our Price Beat Guarantee. Our local auto mechanics invite you to make your appointment here online, review our coupon page, or give us a call to get started today!

October 28, 2021October 28, 2021

Can a Flat Tesla Tire be Patched?

As some of the newest and most innovative vehicles on the road, Teslas can leave drivers with a lot of questions once something goes wrong. We often have drivers ask:

Can my flat Tesla tire be patched?
How do you patch Tesla tires?
What makes Tesla tires different?

The professional mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire are here to answer all of your questions about Tesla tire repair.

Can You Patch a Tesla Tire?

The short answer is yes—most punctured Tesla tires can be patched. In their early stages, Tesla tires could not be patched because of a foam layer lining the inside of the rubber to provide a smooth, quiet ride. This feature would turn the smallest punctures into large repairs. However, local Tesla service professionals can now complete patches for Tesla tires with minimal damage. If your tire has a severe slash or damage, it will require replacement.

Tubeless Tesla Tires: Information on Punctured Tires

Tesla tires are tubeless, which means that they may not leak when punctured. It is best, in these cases, to leave the nail in your tire until it can be patched. Tesla recommends not driving on a punctured tire, even if it is still full of air, as they can deflate suddenly at any moment.

How to Patch Tesla Tires

So how do mechanics like those at Chapel Hill Tire repair Tesla tires? They begin by removing the punctured object. Next, they carefully scrape away the foam layer to make room for the repair. Then, our mechanics can patch the puncture in your tire and refill it to the proper tire pressure.

How to Keep Tesla Tires Inflated

When it comes to flat tires and punctures, preventing damage should always be your first recourse. Here are a few ways that you can keep your Tesla tire inflated:

Avoid Hazards on the Road: While it may not always be within your control, avoiding road hazards can significantly expand the lifespan of your tires. This includes driving carefully around potholes, debris, and more. If you live in an area with unavoidable hazards, you may consider investing in Road Hazard Tire Protection.
Tire Pressure Settings: Maintaining proper tire pressure is key to keeping your tires protected. At the time of publication, Tesla recommends keeping your tires inflated to the pressure recommended on your tire information panel—even if it differs from the recommendations printed on your Tesla tire.
Careful Driving: Do not drive on a compromised or flat tire. This risks making the damage substantially worse. If you must drive, be sure to do so carefully, safely, and slowly.

Chapel Hill Tire Tesla Service in the Triangle

If you need local Tesla service, the mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire are here with support. Our local mechanics have experience patching and repairing Tesla tires. We also provide new Michelin and Continental tires for Tesla vehicles at the lowest price—guaranteed. Chapel Hill Tire proudly serves the greater Triangle area with 9 locations across Raleigh, Apex, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro. You can make your appointment here online, explore our coupon page, or give us a call to get started today!