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Should I
"plug" or "patch" a flat tire?
The use of "outside inserted" plugs in repairing a tire are for temporary use only. You
should only use a plug to repair a tire when you have a tire
emergency and then you should get the tire to a service center and
have the tire permanently repaired (patched). All tire manufacturers
warranties are voided if there is only an "outside inserted" plug
installed in the tire.
Can I replace the tires on my
vehicle with a different brand that was put on at the vehicle
manufacturer?
Simply put, Yes. You should replace your vehicle's tires with tires
of the same size and the same performance rating, but they do not
have to be the same brand that came on it from the factory. Many
times the vehicle's manufacturer chose the tires that were installed
at the factory because they were the cheapest price. Many original
equipment tire manufacturers sell their tires at a very greatly
reduced price to the automobile manufacturers in hopes that when the
consumer goes to replace the tires they will buy that brand again.
This is why many original equipment tire manufacturers replacement
tires are priced very high to the retail consumer. Basically the
original equipment tire manufacturers give their tires away to the
vehicle manufacturers hoping to make their money on the retail
consumer.
How often should I rotate my
vehicle's tires?
Tire and vehicle manufacturers recommend rotating your tires every
6,000 - 8,000 miles. With today's front wheel drive cars/vans the
importance of tire rotation is very important. If the tires are not
rotated at the recommended intervals you can loose up to 40% of the
life of your tires. Another benefit of tire rotation is that it
enables a service professional the opportunity to inspect your
vehicle so that you will not have any unforeseen brake, suspension
or mechanical problems.
Should I follow the recommended
service in my vehicle's owner's manual?
If you want to have a vehicle that is dependable the answer is
YES. It is much more economical to follow the manufacturers
recommended service schedule than it is to drive the vehicle until
it breaks down and then to do major repairs. It is also less
stressful to schedule the vehicle's repairs than to have the vehicle
break down and to leave you stranded. When the vehicle is serviced
regularly the minor repairs are performed before they become major
repairs. Some of the most important services are:
How do my
Anti-Lock Brakes work?
ABS basically works by limiting the pressure to the wheel which
decelerates too rapidly. With standard brakes when the brake pedal
is applied too hard, the tires skid, which prevents them from giving
directional control. When directional control (steering) is lost,
the vehicle skids in a straight line wherever it is going. With ABS
braking systems the wheel speed sensors at each tire send an
electronic pulse to the computer. If tire skid is detected during
braking, the computer signals the ABS valve to limit the hydraulic
pressure to that tires caliper or wheel cylinder. The computer does
this by instructing the ABS valve to "pulse" the brake line pressure
to that tire so it does not skid. With all of the movement of brake
fluid in an ABS braking system it is crucial that the brake fluid is
kept clean by flushing it out and installing new fluid every 30,000
miles.
The ABS brake system tests itself every time the vehicle is started
and every time the brakes are applied. If a defect is detected, the
computer then turns the ABS system off, leaving the standard braking
system unaffected and working properly. If the computer detects a
problem with the ABS system the "ABS" light will illuminate on your
vehicles dash. You should bring in the vehicle to us as soon as
possible to evaluate the ABS system failure.
Do I have to take my vehicle to
the new car dealership for service during it's warranty period?
You may take your vehicle to any qualified service center during the
vehicle's warranty period and also after the vehicle's warranty
period. There is a federal law called the "Magnuson-Moss Warranty
Act" that became effective on January 4, 1975 that basically states
that no purchase of a particular brand of product or the purchase of
a service from a particular company can be required of you to keep
your vehicles warranty valid.
Many new car dealership's try to scare people into bringing their
car into them for service so it does not "void" their warranty. If
this happens remind them of the "Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act".
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