Last updated 1 year ago
Off-roading and drag racing are two completely different styles of driving, and, as a result, they both require their own specific type of tire. At your local automotive service center, you can ask professionals for help when selecting your next tire. They can point you in the right direction for tires well-suited to your driving style, but before you head down to the shop, let’s take a look at a few different types of tires.
High-Performance Tires
Made for gripping asphalt during high-speed cornering, high-performance tires like the Goodyear F1 or the Pirelli P-Zero are well suited for sports cars and sport-sedans. While these tires can provide excellent grip for crossover SUVs, they are not fit for off-road driving. If you want to leave the pavement behind, you’ll need to switch out these tires for better performance.
Winter Tires
Designed with extra traction in mind, snow tires are perfect for the driver that lives in a four-season climate. With extra-large channels, snow tires funnel the slush and snow away from the core of the tire more effectively and provide excellent winter-weather traction. These tires are less durable in warmer temperatures, so you’ll want to replace them after the season ends.
All-Terrain Tires
All-terrain tires offer a perfect blend of capability in the outdoors and traction on paved surfaces. Raised treads with specially designed grooves provide added traction in sand and mud, and because of the tread’s horizontal pattern, the tires are also effective at gripping concrete and blacktop.
Off-Road Tires
Tires designed specifically for off-road performance have deep channels and thick outer walls for extra durability. While these aggressive-looking pieces of rubber might offer unprecedented traction in the wilderness, if you use them on the street you’ll suffer from reduced gas mileage and diminished performance. Use these tires for an off-road-only vehicle.
At Brake Specialists Plus, we offer auto repair and tire sales and installation for the greater Austin metropolitan area. Whether you need a brake inspection and repair or a simple tune-up, we can help you today. Call us at (512) 795-4066, or visit us online for more information.
Last updated 1 year ago
Wishing you happiness and success in the new year from everyone at Brake Specialists Plus.
Last updated 1 year ago
If there’s one thing drivers love, it’s a full tank of gas. Sadly, the price of gasoline has been going up for decades and doesn’t look like it will be slowing its ascent anytime soon. Getting the most out of the gasoline you buy is crucial. If your engine is burning more fuel than usual, then consider having your vehicle inspected by a vehicle repair shop for these common causes.
Under-Inflated Tires
One of the most common culprits when it comes to robbing your vehicle’s efficiency is the under-inflated tire. Tires that have less air inside their walls will not be able to retain their shape and will subsequently flatten slightly. This pancaking effect creates a larger surface area for the road to exert friction upon. Adding friction will rob the car of efficiency, so check your tire pressure if the fuel gauge is constantly near empty.
Dirty Air Filter
A dirty air filter will pull less air into the engine and rob the engine of power. In addition, when an air filter is very dirty, it fails to filter out dust and creates sludge when mixed with engine oil. Changing your oil and air filter can net you immediate gains in power and efficiency.
Improper Wheel Alignment
The alignment of the wheels can also factor into a vehicle’s efficiency. When a car’s wheels are even and properly aligned, no force is exerted to maintain a straight direction of travel.
Driving Habits
How you drive can influence your efficiency. Try to avoid rapid acceleration and slamming on the brakes; these bad driving habits are detrimental to fuel economy and put strain on the vehicle. Remember, idling is bad for gas mileage. Try to avoid stop-and-go driving if you can.
Brake Specialists Plus, is the number-one auto repair garage in the Austin area. We offer a variety of excellent services which range from brake repair to steering and suspension. Contact us by phone at (512) 795-4066, or visit our website for more information.
Last updated 1 year ago
Changing your brake pads and rotors is crucial to securing the safety of your automobile. It will also save you hundreds of dollars per year on expensive brake repair services. Use the following guide to know when you need new pads and rotors, and how to decide which brake components will be best for your car:
Types of Pads and Rotors
Pads
Brake pads come in several different types: semimetallic (which are durable, but wear down rotors faster), nonasbestos organic (also known as NAO; these pads make less noise but wear faster and create more dust), low-metallic NAO (which offer better braking, but create more noise and dust), and ceramic brake pads (which are more expensive but very clean, quiet, and efficient).
Rotors
You can find different types of brake rotors too, each with advantages and drawbacks, such as solid/vented (common, but not good for performance braking), slotted/vented (great for efficiency and value), and cross-drilled/vented (which are cheaper, but don’t last as long as slotted/vented rotors).
When To Replace Them
Pads
When it comes to diagnosing the remaining life of your current brakes, it helps to keep an open ear. If your brakes start to make unusual noises—usually in the form of squealing or grinding—that’s a telltale sign that your brake pads need replacing.
Rotors
If your car shimmies or shakes while you’re driving, that is a good indication that your rotors are warped and need resurfacing or replacing. If you don’t want to wait until that point, a mechanic will be able inspect the wear level of your brake pads and rotors to give a reasonable estimation of their remaining life.
For more help while you shop for brake pads and rotors, or to get answers to your brake questions, call Brake Specialists Plus at (512) 447-7992. Our shop in Austin, TX is happy to give you expert, low priced auto and brake repair, replacement, and maintenance.
Last updated 1 year ago
Wishing you a happy holiday from everyone at Brake Specialists Plus.
