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No Spare Tire?

posted on 7/29/2020 3:32:26 PM

Believe it or not, many new vehicles come without a spare tire. Manufacturers have a few different reasons for that, including weight savings, space efficiency, and cost. When you're stuck by the side of the road, though, none of that really matters much, does it? Master Auto and Tire has put together a blog to explain to you the know-how of spare tires and tire repair. What If My Car Doesn't Come with a Spare Tire? Instead, these vehicles come equipped with an inflation kit and/or a can of s...

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Do I Need To Change Tires With The Weather?

posted on 7/29/2020 2:41:54 PM

At Master Auto Repair in St. Louis, MO or Collinsville, IL, we run across customers who are a little puzzled about what kind of tires are best for the seasons. We’d like to hopefully clear up a little of that confusion. Here is a list of the most frequently asked questions about seasonal tires. FAQ Q: Do I really need winter tires? A: It’s not a bad idea. Winters in the St. Louis, MO area can be pretty harsh, and winter tires definitely perform better in snow and ice than all-season tires. Q:...

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When Should I Change Back from Winter Tires to All-Season?

posted on 4/24/2018 8:13:33 AM

At what point should you go from winter tires back to all-season tires? Hint: it's not much more complicated than knowing when to put away the sweaters and winter clothes.

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Why You Should Never Skip a Tire Rotation

posted on 9/5/2017 2:45:22 PM

The cornering and rolling forces on each of your tires are different. If you have a front wheel drive car, the power and most of the force is transmitted to the front tires while the rear tires pretty much just follow along like fixed wagon wheels. A rear-wheel drive car or truck sends power to the back while steering forces are handled by the front wheels. All-wheel drive and 4wd have their unique power, steering and cornering characteristics as well. The point is, your front left tire is ...

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The Incredible Evolution of Tires

posted on 9/5/2017 1:54:37 PM

With all the tires you encounter every day, it is easy to forget their humble beginning and just how far they have come since the early days of automotive development. Follow along as we recap the incredible evolution that has taken us from simple rubber rings to the products we see today. The tire had rather humble beginnings. In the late 1800's the invention of the automobile necessitated something for them to roll on. Until then, wheels were rolling around on hard wooden rims or metal bands....

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Can I Buy Just Two Tires?

posted on 9/1/2017 11:35:14 AM

We know that a lot of drivers are working pretty hard to make a dollar go farther and that the outlay for a full set of four tires – even inexpensive tires – can be considerable. That’s why we run across drivers pretty often who ask if it’s okay to just replace a pair of tires, then buy the other pair when they can afford them. The answer is…yes, but… You’ll really need to pay attention to the size of the set of tires that you’ve already got and go with that exact same size of tires for...

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Five Things You Didn’t Know About Tires

posted on 9/1/2017 11:21:59 AM

1. For performance and handling, the trend has long been toward fatter tires with a bigger footprint. That’s starting to change, though. Skinnier tires mean lower rolling resistance and better fuel economy, as well as a smaller aerodynamic profile. While fatter tires do handle better, tire engineers are making up the difference by designing skinny tires with a stickier tread formulation for traction and cornering ability. 2. Static electricity used to be a real concern for vehicles; if you’re...

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Flat Spots? Let’s Clear Up Some Myths About That…

posted on 9/1/2017 11:02:58 AM

So your vehicle’s been sitting for a while…you get in it, start the engine and pull out of the driveway when you notice a hard, rough (but very regular) vibration that only gets worse with speed. It doesn’t feel like it’s coming from the driveline or suspension – so what is it? It could be that the tires have developed flat spots. With the weight of the vehicle pressing down on the tires for long periods, a section of the rubber and belts can become softer (or harder) than the rest of the...

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A Brief History of the Tire

posted on 10/19/2016 3:05:12 PM

Ever wonder what the designations stamped on your tire sidewall actually mean? We’d like to break it down for you. Let’s take for instance, “P195/60R15 87S”. This is a full service description of a tire. In this case, “87S” denotes a tire’s load capacity and speed rating. The higher the number, the greater the load capacity – an 87 load capacity means that tire can support 1,201 pounds. Speed ratings range from L (75 mph) through V (149 mph), and an S speed rating means the tire is good...

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What To Do With Those Old Tires

posted on 10/19/2016 2:06:22 PM

Every year, about 290 million tires are discarded; of those, about 233 million are recycled in one way or another. Shredded tires can be used for playground surfaces, welcome mats, hot-melt asphalt, bark mulch and even made into building material for “green” construction. But what can you do with your old tires? Here are some ideas: --Fill a tractor tire with sand to make a great sandbox for kids --Hang a tire from a rope as a tire swing --Stack a couple of tires on top of each other, bolt th...

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News

No Spare Tire?

Do I Need To Change Tires With The Weather?

When Should I Change Back from Winter Tires to All-Season?

Why You Should Never Skip a Tire Rotation

The Incredible Evolution of Tires

Can I Buy Just Two Tires?

Five Things You Didn’t Know About Tires

Flat Spots? Let’s Clear Up Some Myths About That…

A Brief History of the Tire

What To Do With Those Old Tires

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