What to Consider Before Tire Replacement

There are few aspects of your vehicle which are more directly responsible for your safety on the road than your tires.  For this reason it is crucial that you’re tires are in good shape and well maintained at all times.  This includes making sure that your wheels are properly aligned, your tires are inflated to the proper psi, and that they don’t exhibit excessive or uneven wear or tread separation.  If it’s time for a new set of tires, you’re probably overwhelmed by a) all the choices and b) the potential expense.  But the truth is that the buying experience surrounding the need for a new set of tires doesn’t have to be anxiety ridden.  You just need to know what you’re looking for and, most importantly, to understand that you do, indeed, have options when it comes to purchasing a new set of tires.  Here are a few things for you to consider before tire replacement.

New, Used or Retread

Most people immediately go for brand new tires.  You don’t want to be replacing these things again, after all, until you absolutely have to.  But are new tires the only option to provide high mileage and long life in a tire?  You might be surprised to learn that the answer to that question is no.  Of course you have the option of purchasing used tires for a significantly smaller price tag, but I understand your trepidation with this option.  The third option, which is the perfect combination of the previous two, is the retread tire.  Retread tires are like a refurbished computer: the base materials are “used” but the internal systems have all been polished up and replaced as needed to function like new.  Retread tires are made just as their name would imply; a used tire is “refurbished” with new tread and fortified to function like a new tire.  Retread tires are inspected and certified, just like new tires, but are often available at a much more budget friendly price.

Your Personal Needs

What do you use your car for, primarily?  What kind of driver are you … really?  These are questions you need to ask yourself when considering your next tire purchase.  Your answers will help you to determine just exactly what you are looking for in a tire.  Do you need a practical, high mileage tire or a high performance street tire?  Maybe you’re the more rugged type in search of some of those big, knobby monster tires, or maybe you need versatility in your tires that will perform well both on road and off road.  Your driving habits are probably the largest determining factor in determining the tire best suited to your personal needs.

Your Budget

It’s no secret that the need for a whole new set of tires can throw your monthly budget into a tailspin, but don’t just assume that you have to settle for the cheapest tires, either, as that option can actually wind up costing you more in the long run.  When you really know your needs and have a firmly established budget, you will have the freedom and the confidence to do some aggressive shopping within the range that you have set for your tire purchase.  You might find a great bargain at a tire sale or by investigating the retread option mentioned above.  Whenever possible, try to time your new tire purchases in increments of two tires at a time to break up the expense a bit.  This is sometimes possible when you pay close attention to your tire rotation schedule.


Featured Store: Indio, CA

Introducing the newest member of the Ramona Tire family, the new Indio store has everything you've come to expect from Ramona Tire: the lowest prices and the best service. For the best deals on tires in Indio, CA visit the new store on Jackson St.

Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers   
42150 Jackson Street    F   
Indio    CA    92203   
760-347-8045

http://www.ramonatire.com/indio.htm

What Are The Effects of Tire Pressure On Performance

Did you know that over 90% of wheel failures are caused by under inflated tires? We all see the inflation machines at gas stations and many of us know that keeping our tires inflated is important, but do you know why it is so important? To find out what effects inflation can have on the performance of your vehicle, continue reading this article. Throughout, we will discuss everything that you need to know about tire pressure including why it is important and how often you need to check it.

Once a vehicle has been manufactured, it is the job of the manufacturer to select the appropriate size for the tires. This chosen size is based on many things including the axle weights of the vehicle and the anticipated usage of the tire. Aside from tire size, the manufacturer must also determine the appropriate pressure for the tire. Once this pressure is selected, it is important for the driver of the vehicle to ensure that it is maintained. If the pressure in the tire is off, the vehicle may not be functioning at its best and the tires may be becoming prematurely worn.

One of the ways that tire inflation can affect the performance of a vehicle is if the tire is under-inflated. Under-inflation of tires can affect the functioning of your vehicle in several ways. Firstly, if you are driving with under-inflated tires, you could be greatly reducing the tread life of your wheel. It is estimated that, those driving with under-inflated tires, could be decreasing their tread life by over 25%. This means that the tire will wear down quicker, and will need to be replaced sooner. Not only does under-inflation affect the tread of your wheel, but it can also decrease the safety of any passengers. Under-inflation is one of the top causes of tire failure and, well, we all know that the consequences of tire failure are not good! If your own personal safety is not enough to convince you of the importance of tire pressure, it may also be beneficial for you to know that under-inflation can reduce the fuel economy of your vehicle and can also lead to decreased steering precision.

Many times when people think of inflation problems, they think of under-inflation. It is important to know, however, that over-inflation can also impact your vehicle. While heightened inflation can improve steering and cornering, it can also decrease the lifespan of your tires. Over-inflation increases your tires sensitivity to pot holes and other road bumps, leading them to become damaged more easily.     

If you have never been one to pay attention to the inflation of your tires, now is the time to start. The inflation rate of your tires can greatly impact your vehicles performance. More specifically, under-inflated tires can lead to decreased tire lifespan, tire failure, reduced steering precision, and reduced fuel economy. And while over-inflated tires are unlikely to put your life at risk, they can also reduce the lifespan of your tires. So, the next time you take your car for a drive, be sure to check each tire for its inflation. Once you have corrected for any under or over inflation, perform a routine maintenance check each month to ensure that your tires have remained properly inflated.
    
Featured Store: Corona, CA





If you're looking for the lowest prices on tires in Corona, CA, then look no further than our 6th Street store.

Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers   
304 West Sixth Street       
Corona,CA    92882   
951-734-1222

http://www.ramonatire.com/corona.htm

What Are The Characteristics of a Good Snow Tire

 If you have ever driven in the snow, especially during times of harsh weather conditions, you know how easy it is to slip and slide all over the road. Not having a good pair of snow tires can greatly increase your chances of being in an accident come the winter season. If you are like many of the licensed drivers out there who experience harsh winters, you know that snow tires are necessary, but you may not know how to choose good ones. Here are some characteristics that you should look for when choosing a snow tire.

1) Thickness

When choosing winter tires, you want to choose a set of tires that are narrower than usual. While common sense may tell you that wider tires would be better for harsh weather conditions, it is actually the opposite that is true. Wider tires can actually decrease the effectiveness of your car’s suspension. When this happens, the stability of the car is greatly decreased, and the chances of losing control while driving are increased. Narrow tires, on the other hand, allow the weight of your car to be dispersed evenly, greatly increasing its stability and handling.

2) Tread

When selecting a good snow tire, you want to be sure to examine the treading of the wheel. Generally speaking, the deeper the tread, the better the grip, and the better the vehicle will function in snowy weather conditions. The design of the tread can also effect the tires performance so if you are unsure what to look for be sure to consult a sales representative. They will be able to tell you which pattern is the best and which wheel will provide the best grip.

3) Snowflake symbol

Another thing that you can manually check for before you decide on a snow tire is the snowflake symbol. Located on the side of the wheel, a snowflake symbol means that the tire meets severe winter traction standard regulations. And when a tire meets these regulations, you can guarantee that it is of high quality and will perform well in even the worst weather conditions.
   
When selecting snow tires, the above characteristics are not all that you should take into consideration. You also need to consider the number of tires that you need to purchase. Many times, when shopping for winter tires, individuals will only purchase two new tires (rather than four) to save some extra money. And while two new tires are better than no new tires, they are certainly not better than four new tires. For maximum security and safety, be sure to purchase four matching tires for winter driving. Finally, you should also be sure that whichever tires you select, they are the proper size for your car. Choosing the wrong tire size can affect the performance of your wheels and your vehicle, putting you and any other passengers at risk.  

If you are in need of some new snow tires this winter season, be sure to take the above characteristics into consideration. A good snow tire will be narrow, will have deep tread, and will have a snowflake symbol on the side of the wheel. When purchasing tires, always be sure to buy 4 matching ones and consult a professional mechanic to ensure that they are the right size for your car.




Featured Store: Hemet


If you're looking for snow tires in Hemet for an Idyllwild getaway this winter, come visit us at our Menlo Ave. location.

Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers   
2350 W. Menlo Ave       
Hemet,CA    92545   
951-925-6650

http://www.ramonatire.com/hemet.htm

Understanding the Importance of Regular Tire Rotation

Tire rotation is one of those items on the vehicle maintenance checklist that can commonly be overlooked altogether, or at the very least, postponed for indefinite periods of time.  But regularly scheduled tire rotation is more important with regard to the life of your tires – and even to the life of your vehicle – than you are probably aware of.  Sure, you know that you should rotate your tires regularly, but did you know that by not rotating your tires, you could be causing actual, physical damage, and even creating an unsafe driving environment for you and your family?  These are risks which are simply unnecessary, as they can be easily avoided with proper tire rotation.  So, why is tire rotation so important?  And what are the risks – really – to you, your family, and your vehicle when tire rotation is neglected for long periods of time?  The following questions and answers will help you to understand the importance of regular tire rotation.

Why is Tire Rotation Necessary?
Regular tire rotation very simply keeps the natural wear of your tires evenly distributed across each tire individually, as well as throughout the entire set.  Failure to rotate your tires at the recommended intervals can lead to uneven wear, which is associated with a number of expensive, and some potentially hazardous consequences, such as:

•    Significantly shorter tire life, over all.

•    Tire bulging, cupping, and uneven tread wear.

These undesirable tire conditions can lead to structural and mechanical damage to your vehicle, as well, which can be not only expensive to fix, but also downright dangerous.

How Does Tire Rotation Prevent These Problems?

Tire rotation prevents premature tire wear and potential vehicle damage by simply keeping your wheels in balance, which keeps your entire vehicle in better, more stable condition. 

How Often Should Tires Be Rotated?

The answer to this question varies from one vehicle manufacturer’s make and model to the next, but as a general rule, tires should be rotated regularly every 7,000 – 10,000 miles throughout the life of your tires.  Consult your owner’s manual for manufacturer’s recommendations, as well as consulting your tire manufacturer for the most accurate answer to this question as it concerns your vehicle in particular.

What is the Most Proper Method of Tire Rotation?

Again, there seems to be some discrepancy in the standard answer to this question.  Some mechanics and tire installers agree that tires should simply be switched from front to back at regular tire rotation intervals, while others believe that tires wear more evenly when tires are rotated in an “x” formation, crossing over from front to back and side to side.  Both methods are effective in promoting evenly distributed wear patterns on most types of tires, and both methods are certainly better than not rotating your tires at all, but for specific information on the best tire rotation pattern for your own vehicle it again becomes advisable to go “straight to the source,” and consult your vehicle owner’s manual for manufacturer’s recommendations.

Tire rotation isn’t difficult, nor is it time consuming.  It is most definitely, however, a vital part of your vehicle maintenance plan, as well as a critical factor in extending the life of your tires.



Featured Store: Riverside



For great deals on tires in Riverside, CA, please visit our Riverside store on Van Buren.

Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers   
3255 Van Buren Blvd.       
Riverside    CA    92503   
951-785-8590

http://www.ramonatire.com/riverside.htm

Do Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems on New Cars Eliminate the Need to Check Tire Pressure?

These are wonderful times in which we live.  As our world becomes ever more technologically advanced, the mundane tasks of our everyday lives become more and more automated.  One area in which this becomes extremely evident is with our cars.  Advances over the past couple of decades have made our cars increasingly safe, more efficient, more economical to drive (even in spite of perpetually rising gas prices), and our cars are now smarter than ever before.  Tire pressure monitoring systems on new cars is a relatively new feature which is becoming more and more popular, and is even beginning to be expected as a “standard” feature.  But do tire pressure monitoring systems on new cars eliminate the need to check tire pressure manually?  I’ll let you decide…

When I was learning how to drive, my dad was like a drill sergeant.  In fact, he wouldn’t let me or any of my siblings even take the car out on our own before we had successfully changed all four tires and proven to him that we could check the oil, the transmission fluid and the tire pressure.  You’re probably laughing right now, but this is a true story – which I didn’t find funny at all at the time.  But I learned what I needed to learn, proved what I needed to prove, and eventually got on the road with Dad’s blessing (well, sort of).  All of this mechanical “training” was really for our benefit, of course, and also to help us maintain our cars by preventing the appearance of the “idiot lights.”

You see, in my dad’s opinion, your oil light should never come on if you checked your oil regularly like you were supposed to.  You’d already know it was low, so of course you would add oil.  That was his philosophy on all aspects of vehicle maintenance; hence his endearing little nickname for the dashboard warning lights.

As a modern day driver, I happen to be a huge fan of tire pressure monitoring systems on new cars.  Based on the lessons learned in my early days of driving, however, I don’t rely exclusively on my “idiot lights.”  A tire pressure monitoring system is great for alerting you to issues occurring while you are on the road, but they are not a full service substitute for tire pressure maintenance.  Ideally, you should check your tire pressure before each trip you take in your car.  Now, most of us are guilty of neglecting this, but at a bare minimum you should try to check your tire pressure before venturing out on long journeys.  And this pre-trip tire pressure should be measured manually, with an external gauge, rather than simply relying on your tire pressure monitoring system to warn you of a problem in progress.

The moral of the story is that tire pressure monitoring systems on new cars are a great addition to vehicle safety technology, but there’s no substitute for a little hands on maintenance and inspection to ensure the safety of your tires.  So grab your tire gauge and check your tire pressure; my dad would be so proud!

Featured Store: Palm Desert

If you're shopping for tires in Palm Desert, CA, then you owe it to yourself to visit Ramona Tire for the lowest  prices and best service.

Ramona Tire & Automotive Service Centers   
78018 Country Club Drive       
Palm Desert, CA 92211   
760-834-7844

http://www.ramonatire.com/palmdesert.htm

First Post for Ramona Tire!

Hello world,

This is our first blog post. We will be using this blog to post news, tips and specials, so look out for some good stuff. We hope you enjoy.

Thanks,

The Staff at Ramona Tire