You need a tire dealer who vigilantly looks for tire manufacturers offering quality tire products. This is a “silent” service that ensures you get the best tires in Burke, VA no matter which brand you choose. A good tire dealer should go out of their way to offer options such as installation, balancing, and safety inspections.
Your tire dealer needs knowledgeable staff to provide you with the tire information you need. They are the heart of the service operation. Knowledgeable employees need to pick the right tires for each client based on individual pertinent factors. This increases consumer satisfaction and safety.
A tire dealer should have a wide selection for customers to choose from. This lets you pick tires according to the appropriate vehicle, size, driving style and conditions. One of the most important traits a tire dealer needs is excellent customer service, including hands-on assistance, comprehensive product information, vehicle performance details and warranty specifics.
For years we have counted on a tire's tread depth to determine its condition, but a tire’s rubber compounds deteriorate over time regardless of the tread condition. Bottom line - an old tire is a safety hazard.
Driving an average of 12,000-15,000 miles a year, a tire's tread will wear out in three to four years, long before the rubber compound does. If you drive 6,000 miles a year, aging tires could also be a safety issue. The age warning applies to spare and "new" tires that have never been used, but were manufactured some time ago. Deterioration can occur at any time during the life of your tires.
Cracks in the rubber develop. They may appear on the surface or inside your tire. This cracking can eventually cause steel belts in your tire tread to separate from the rest of the tire. Every tire that performs long enough will surrender to age. Tires in Burke, VA that are rated for higher mileage have "anti-ozinant" chemical compounds mixed into the rubber that slows the aging process, but nothing stops the effects of time on the rubber in your tires. The Rubber Manufacturers Association admits there is no way to date when a tire "expires," because factors such as heat, storage and conditions of use can dramatically reduce the life of your tires.
National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) research finds tires age more quickly in warmer climates. They also found environmental conditions like sunlight exposure and coastal climates hasten the aging process. All this means you need to keep a watchful eye on the safety of your vehicle tires in Burke, VA.
According to the NHTSA sidewall information about the tire's date of manufacture, size and other pertinent data is required to be on both sides of each tire for easier identification. Check your tires regularly for signs of aging such as tread distortion or hairline cracks in the sidewall. Vibrations or a change in the dynamic properties of the tire could also be an indicator of aging issues. Replace your tires immediately if symptoms appear.
Tires are expensive, especially when you factor in the price of mounting, rotating and balancing. That's why used tires are so seductive to consumers. But the purchase of used tires is definitely a buyer-beware encounter. A NHTSA spokesman says they "continuing to conduct research into the effects of tire aging, and what actions consumers can [take] to safely monitor their tires on their vehicles."
Of all your vehicle's components, your tires in Burke, VA have the greatest effect on the way it handles and brakes. If your tire dealer recommends new tires do not hesitate to spend the money. Your life could well depend on it.