Tire Tread Depth for Kent, WA

Posted by & filed under Tires and Wheels.


Driving on bald tires is like playing roulette. Though you may be fine today, eventually your luck is going to run out.

The Feds don’t have any laws for tread depth, but 42 of the states, and all of Canada, do have regulations. They consider two-thirty-seconds of an inch to be the minimum legal tread depth. Two other states, including California, consider one-thirty-second to be the minimum and six states have no standards at all. Call us at Central Avenue Automotive; (just call 253.854.6762) to find out what your requirements are in the Kent, WA area.

Since 1968, U.S. law has required that a raised bar be molded across all tires. When tires are worn enough that this bar becomes visible, there’s just 2/32” of tread left. But does that older standard give you enough safety?

Consider this: Consumer Reports recommends tire replacement when tread reaches 4/32”. And the recommendation is backed by some very compelling studies. Now before we go into the studies, you need to know that the big issue is braking on wet surfaces.

We tend to think of the brakes doing all the stopping, but you also need to have effective tires to actually stop the car. When it’s wet or snowy in Kent WA, the tread of the tire is critical to stopping power.

Picture this: you’re driving in Kent over a water-covered stretch of road. Your tires actually need to be in contact with the road in order to stop. That means the tire has to channel the water away so the tire is actually contacting the road and not floating on a thin film of water – a condition known as hydroplaning. When there’s not enough tread depth on a tire, it can’t move the water out of the way and you start to hydroplane.

This is where the studies come in. We think you’ll be surprised. A section of a test track was flooded with a thin layer of water. If you laid a dime flat on the track, the water would be deep enough to surround the coin, but not enough to submerge it.

A car and a full-sized pick-up truck were brought up to 70 mph and then made a hard stop in the wet test area. Stopping distance and time were measured for three different tire depths. First, they tested new tires. Then tires worn to legal limits. And finally, tires with 4/32” of tread were tested (the depth suggested by Consumer Reports.)

When the car with the legally worn tires had braked for the distance required to stop the car with new tires, it was still going 55 mph. The stopping distance was nearly doubled. That means if you barely have room to stop with new tires, then you would hit the car in front of you at 55 mph with the worn tires.

Now with the partially worn tires – at the depth recommended by Consumer Reports – the car was still going at 45 mph at the point where new tires brought the car to a halt. That’s a big improvement – you can see why Consumer Reports and others are calling for a new standard.

Now without going into all the details, let us tell you that stopping the truck with worn tires needed almost 1/10 of a mile of clear road ahead to come to a safe stop. How many Kent motorists follow that far behind the SUV ahead? Obviously, this is a critical safety issue.

The tests were conducted with the same vehicles, but with different sets of tires. The brakes were the same, so the only variable, was the tires.

How do you know when your tires are at 4/32”? Well, it’s pretty easy. Just insert a quarter into the tread. Put it in upside down. If the tread doesn’t cover George Washington’s hairline, it’s time to replace your tires. With a Canadian quarter, the tread should cover the numbers in the year stamp.

Now you may remember doing that with pennies. But a penny gives you 2/32” of an inch to Abraham Lincoln’s head. The quarter is the new standard – 4/32”.

Tires are a big ticket item and most people in Kent, WA want to get thousands of miles out of them. Just remember: driving on bald tires is like playing roulette.

Have Mr. Washington look at your tires today. If he recommends a new set, come see us at Central Avenue Automotive in Kent.

Central Avenue Automotive
1514 Central Ave S Ste A
Kent, WA 98032
 253.854.6762

Common Auto Repair Myths

Posted by & filed under Maintenance, Parts.

There are a number of myths about vehicle maintenance that come from a lot of different sources. Some are urban legend, some are people trying to save money, and others are misinformation that’s been shared and re-shared. Buying into a myth can cause damage to your car, so we feel it’s important to bring the truth to light.

Myth #1: Fixing your car at home is the same as taking it into a shop.

A lot of people with tight budgets or who are just looking to save some money may opt to go the do-it-yourself route for their car. This isn’t a bad thing in and of itself. There are plenty of small jobs that can be easily done at home with the right education, like changing a tire or refilling the wiper fluid. However, most people aren’t going to have the skills and knowledge needed for car repairs. Searching Google can only get you so far. If you’re not 100% sure what you’re doing, you could be causing additional damage to your car or even voiding your warranty. Car maintenance is far more complicated than people think. When in doubt, let professionals handle it.

Myth #2: Reading a Check Engine light fault code will tell you all you need to know.

We’ve written a longer post on this already, so here’s the Cliff Notes version. When your Check Engine light comes on, you can have the fault code read just about anywhere, including a parts store or even at your own home if you have a basic code reader. However, while the code will tell you WHERE the car has failed, it won’t tell you WHY. Simply replacing the part often won’t solve the problem, and you still won’t know why your light’s on. It’s better to have a professional diagnostic ran instead of doing trial-and-error. At the end of the day, it will save you time and money.

Auto Repair Myths
Photo Credit: Giacomo Carena via Compfight cc

Myth #3: If a specific part is failing, you’ll know.

Not always. Just because a part is bad doesn’t mean it’s going to set a fault code. It’s a big tree of processes – you have to follow each branch and see where it ends up. It may seem like one part is faulty, when it reality it’s a completely different part that’s setting off a chain reaction. For example, if you’re having poor gas mileage, you may assume it’s an issue with the filtration system when in fact it’s a bad thermostat that wasn’t properly heating the car, which means it’s not operating within normal parameters.

Myth #4: Over-the-counter solutions are great for temporary fixes.

Some of the stuff you can get over the counter can help in an emergency, but some of it can also cause further damage to your car. Don’t rely on “leak stoppers” and similar to “fix” your car. One example we can think of was a customer who tried to fix a small antifreeze leak with a product called Stop Leak, but ended up plugging the heater core, which meant the car was getting NO heat in 18 degree weather. Definitely not an ideal situation.

The common thread here is often in trying to take shortcuts or avoid a perceived expense by having a technician look at the car. In reality, you could actually save a lot of money and stress by having a professional diagnostic done. Unless you know exactly what you’re doing, it’s rarely a good idea to attempt more than basic maintenance. Technicians have years of experience, which always trumps HowStuffWorks.com. If you have questions, we have answers.

Fuel Saving Tip: Fuel System Cleaning Near Burton WA

Posted by & filed under Fuel System.

A lot of gas is wasted in the Burton area by dirty fuel delivery systems.

Let’s start at the tank. The gas tank gathers dirt, rust and sediment over the years. That’s why there’s a fuel filter to clean the fuel after it leaves the tank. A dirty filter will rob the engine of the clean gas it needs to run efficiently.

Central Avenue Automotive Fuel System Cleaning The fuel intake components get coated with gum and varnish over time. This results in fuel being delivered inefficiently and some of that gunk getting into the engine. A fuel system service at Central Avenue Automotive will leave your intake as clean as a whistle.

The big fuel thief is dirty fuel injectors. They deliver fuel to the engine at a specified pressure and in a particular spray pattern. When they’re clogged, the fuel doesn’t get atomized the way it’s supposed to and doesn’t get burned as efficiently.

See your owner’s manual or ask your Burton service advisor at Central Avenue Automotive when a fuel system cleaning is recommended.

Meet the Owner: Blake Walker

Posted by & filed under Uncategorized.

If you’re a regular at Central Avenue Automotive, then you’re familiar with Blake Walker. When you bring your car in, he’s the person who’s always there, managing the ebb and flow while making sure you’re getting the best possible service. But do you know his story?

Blake got started in the repair industry when he was only eight years old. His very first repair was a lawnmower that wouldn’t start, which started a lifelong passion for fixing things. From repairing his uncle’s broken snowmobile so he could go for a ride to improving the speed and functionality of cars in high school, Blake’s always been a sucker for figuring out how things tick and making them work even better.

After high school, he went to college for a few years. Turns out it wasn’t the right fit, since he wasn’t learning about his true passion – auto repair. Instead, he left university and headed to trade school in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He also attended diesel trade school in Montana before moving to Washington, where he still lives today.

Blake and Family

All of this led up to his very first job at a Chevron station on the East Hill of Kent as a service technician. A few years in, he decided to gain more experience at an auto dealership, then with Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors. After working with so many major names and learning everything he could, it was time to make the leap to an independent shop in Seattle to figure out how the other side worked.

It didn’t take long for Blake to start wanting to make improvements. He wasn’t super excited about the way the cars and customers were being taken care of, but was met with resistance when he tried to implement a change. The idea of doing things the same way because that’s the way they’d been done for 20 years just wasn’t working for Blake, because he could see that it wasn’t good enough for the customer, or for himself. He decided to stay on for a few more years to get the full feel for the business and then decided to strike out on his own with full control.

And so, 16 years ago, Central Avenue Automotive was born. He started as the technician, as well as the service advisor and bookkeeper… everything, really. Customers and cars started rolling in, which eventually meant he had to choose what side he wanted to work and hire on some help. He chose the service side, working directly with customers and managing the mechanics to ensure repairs were always done correctly and the shop was putting out high-quality service.

Auto Repair

Years went by and more customers came through the doors, more people began to staff the shop, and Blake became the person you know today – the shop manager who oversees operations and manages all five of Central Ave’s ASE master technicians.

And that’s his story! Now you know exactly who you’re dealing with when you come into the shop – someone with a serious passion for fixing cars who’s dedicated to creating the best possible customer experience.

Engine Replacement or Car Replacement?

Posted by & filed under Maintenance, Parts.

Your vehicle relies on its engine for everything , so when the engine starts to go bad due to time, mileage, or mechanical failure , you’ll want to replace it as soon as possible. There are several ways to go about doing this. Replacing it with a low-mileage used engine is usually the best and least expensive option. However, this option does not work in every case. It’s something that should definitely be explored, but it may not be the right solution.

Central Avenue Automotive has hundreds of sources for a good quality and low-mileage used engines. We often hear the question, “Should I just go out and buy another used car?” Well, in some cases this may be the best solution, but in most cases, we can install a low-mileage used engine for less than a used car would cost and provide a warranty on the engine at no extra charge. Used engines installed by us always come with a minimum 12 month or 12,000 mile warranty. New engines are available with a 100,000 mile warranty. That is better protection than you’ll get with most new cars. Used cars don’t come with any warranty at all.

Engine Replacement

Everyone seems to have an opinion on when to repair a car or when to get a new one instead, but you know your needs and your car’s history better than anyone else. Buying a new car might seem like the easy way out of a high repair bill, but it may not be the best financial decision . Occasionally, we will tell customers their car is not worth fixing and they should look for a good used car and let us inspect it before purchase, but in cases where the car is otherwise in good shape, it just makes sense to replace the engine of the car you’re familiar with instead of gambling on a used car. Generally, used engines on most passenger cars can be replaced for $3000-$4000 and new engines can be between $4000-$6000. Some will be more, some less. The average price of a used car is well over $8000, and if you’re looking for a model 3-4 years old, that number jumps to over $20,000.

When you bring your car in for regular service and inspections, we recommend you select a mechanic and not a “quick lube.” Due to the inexperience of quick lube employees, we can’t comfortably recommend this option. In our opinion, no one but an ASE technician should be working on your car. Quick lube employees just don’t have the knowledge that a trained technician does, and proper care will help ensure your car’s life and your own life. Most professional automotive technicians will notice the early signs of engine trouble and alert you about their recommended repairs before an engine replacement is required. The sooner you catch and fix engine issues, the better and the cheaper it is in the long run. In addition to taking your car to a mechanic regularly, you will also want to be on the lookout for some of the signs of engine trouble.

Signs of engine trouble include the following:

  • Smoking tail pipe
  • Fluid on the ground beneath your parked car
  • Knocking, ticking, buzzing, squeaking or whining noises

If you’re experiencing any of the listed issues, stop the car and call a mechanic to make an appointment as soon as possible. Smoke is most likely to come from your tailpipe when you first start your vehicle or when you speed up suddenly. Issues like this are usually caused by lack of service, an engine that is worn out, or an engine that has been overheated. Don’t assume that the problem is so bad it’s not worth fixing, however.

Look at your parking spot when you pull out of your parking area and make sure that you don’t see any fluid on the ground. This is a great habit to get into. When you’re at the store walking to your car, just look underneath the car, and if you see any fluids, get it checked out early. While leaks can be signs of a variety of different problems, they almost always indicate the presence of an engine issue. This is especially true if your vehicle is leaking oil or coolant or transmission fluid.

Replacing Your Engine
Photo Credit: dave_7 via Compfight cc

Listen to your car. Sometimes you can discover potential problems early if your car is making strange noises. Get it checked out immediately. It can be tempting to ignore weird sounds coming from your vehicle or to write them off, but it will cost you more money the longer you wait.

Some of the best candidates for engine replacements are Japanese cars. In Japan, the regulations are such that vehicles that are in what we would call “minor accidents” in the USA do not get fixed. These cars are totaled and the engines are removed and sold. These engines typically have less than 50,000 miles on them.

Try not to get emotionally attached to the decision. If your car is paid off, just figure out what a car payment for a new car would be and then do the math. If you have a $400 a month car payment, that’s $4800 over the course of 12 months. Also take the increase in insurance premiums on a new car into account. You have your answer. If your car isn’t paid off, this gets a little more complicated. You’re still making payments, but have the additional expense of a new engine. What would you get for a trade-in? Would it be worth it?

We can help you answer all these questions and more. Give us a call at (253) 854-6762 or fill out our online appointment form.

Shocks and Struts For Kent Bumps and Bounces

Posted by & filed under Uncategorized.

If you’re like most of us in Kent, you want your car to handle well. That’s the job of your suspension system.

There are different types of suspension systems, but they all work on the same basic principles. First, there are the springs, which bear the weight of the car. The most common springs are coil or leaf – although we see air springs and torsion bars more often. The springs do most of the work.

Visit our Kent location for an inspection of your suspension.
Central Avenue Automotive
1514 Central Ave S Ste A
Kent, WA 98032
253.854.6762

But if all you had were springs, your vehicle would be bouncing around like a bobble head. That’s where the shocks come in. They control the rebound of the springs and smooth out the up and down motions. They also keep the tires on the road, and you in control. Some SUVs use struts. Struts are a combination of shocks and springs, together in a more compact system.

Shocks wear out slowly over time, so it’s hard to notice when they get badly worn. One way to tell is to look for an uneven, cupping wear on your tires. If the shock or strut is leaking fluid, it needs to be replaced. If your car feels floaty in turns or if the front end dips a lot when you stop, it is time to get your shocks checked. Your owners’ manual will tell you when your shocks should be changed – it’s usually between 15,000 and 30,000 miles or 24,000 and 50,000 kilometers .

When you replace a shock, be sure to replace all four. Then your car will have an even suspension and will handle much better. Talk with your service advisor about how you drive. No, not your traffic violations, but how often you carry heavy loads, tow a trailer or drive in rough terrain. If you do a bunch of that, you’ll need a heavy duty shock.

Regular shocks use hydraulic fluid and air as their dampening system. Premium quality shocks and struts use compressed nitrogen gas instead of air. Gas shocks don’t get air bubbles that affect the performance of regular shocks. If you do a lot of high performance driving, off-roading or just want added comfort and control, think about getting premium gas shocks or struts.

Replacing your struts may take your car out of alignment, so be sure to get an alignment at the same time. So, to smooth out the bumps on the road of life, change your shocks and struts when they need it.

Direct Fuel Injection Update From Central Avenue Automotive

Posted by & filed under Fuel System.

For those of you in Kent WA who pay attention to these things, you may have been hearing about the new direct injection engines and want to learn more about them. Some deliver the power of a V8 with the economy of a V6.

For example, in one family of engines the conventional V6 makes about 250 horsepower. The direct injection version of the same engine makes over 300 horsepower and gets essentially the same gas mileage. The turbocharged version makes over 350 horsepower.

So what are the differences from a conventional engine?

The core difference is in the fuel injection system. The system most vehicles use now is called a port injection system. The fuel injector squirts fuel into a port just outside the cylinder where it’s then drawn into the engine with the air.

With a direct injection system, the injector squirts the fuel directly into the cylinder. The gain in power and economy come because fuel injected directly into the cylinder during the combustion cycle is burned much more efficiently.

First, the fuel is squirted in at hundreds of times more pressure, so it’s atomized much better and burns cleaner and stronger. The other big advance is in electronics. Faster engine management computers can control the additional precision required to manage direct fuel injection.

Fuel injectors are precision instruments. They have to deliver a precise amount of fuel at exactly the right time. The design of the engine also dictates a particular spray pattern for the fuel. If a fuel injector is dirty or gummed up, it can’t do its job as well. That means less power and worse fuel economy for your SUV and can lead to damaged fuel injectors.

Replacing fuel injectors isn’t cheap. Direct injection injectors are even more expensive because of the extremely high-pressure they use. Same thing for diesel fuel injectors; we’re talking mortgage payment-range to replace a set of diesel injectors.

A professional fuel system cleaning from Central Avenue Automotive gets out the gum and varnish in the whole system, including the fuel injectors. Keep those injectors clean and they’ll last a long, long time.

Why Do Cars Need Oil Changes at Different Mileages?

Posted by & filed under Fluids, Maintenance.

Why Do Some Cars Need Oil Changes At Different Mileages Than Others?

Short answer: Different car makes and models have different requirements. Different driving habits and conditions also affect the need for an oil change.

Longer answer: If you check your car’s user manual, you’ll probably find you’ve been changing your oil more often than you need to… at least according to the people who designed your car. However, keep in mind these are the same people that want you to buy a new car every few years.

There’s more to an oil change than just a oil change. We don’t even like that phrase because it does not fully describe the service.

We recommend that all vehicles, with the exception of older cars, or cars that have less than 100,000 miles on them, get a 5,000 mile service. This service is an oil and filter change, a tire rotation, a brake inspection, and a vehicle safety inspection. By doing an “oil change” service this way, we help:

  • Prevent breakdowns and premature tire wear
  • Make sure that the vehicle is in good shape
  • Add a significant amount of life to the tires
  • Add resale value of the vehicle, for people are much more likely to pay top dollar for a well maintained vehicle.

Oil Change in Different Cars
Photo Credit: AJ Hill – Blacklight Propaganda Photography via Compfight cc

This service should be tailored to each vehicle, and that is what we do here at Central Avenue Automotive. There are some vehicles that you can extend the service to 7,500 miles, but this does not depend on the car. Instead, it depends on how the car is used. A good example is if you drive from Kent, WA, down I-5 to Portland every day. You should increase you service interval to 7,500 miles. But if all of your diving is local, or you are commuting from Auburn, WA to Seattle every day in horrendous stop-and-go traffic on 167, then you should do the service at 5,000 miles.

It is common for cars to use one quart of oil every 1,000 miles. If you run out of oil between oil changes and damage your engine, even if your car is under warranty, it will not be covered. Proper fluid levels are the responsibility of the driver. Central Avenue Automotive has replaced hundreds of engines over the years because drivers have not checked their oil. An engine replacement can cost as little as $3000, and as much as $9000 for other cars. In contrast, a typical 5,000 mile service will cost you a far more affordable $40.

When should you change your oil every 3,000 miles (a 3,000 mile service)?

Typically when a car has over 100,000 miles, but every situation is different. It is best to consult with your Service Advisor At Central Avenue Automotive. The Service Advisor will be able to determine when to increase your maintenance schedule by examining your vehicle’s condition and your driving habits.

Most carmakers abandoned the 3,000-mile (4,828-kilometer) interval long ago, opting instead to advise their customers to go 5,000 or 7,500 miles (8,046 or 12,070 kilometers) between oil changes [source: MEMA]. Some people even go 10,000 miles (16,093 kilometers) or more without any guilt — or damage to the engine.

To add, the length between oil changes also depends upon the type of oil used. If your vehicle requires a synthetic oil, you can go longer between oil changes. but this will require you to check your oil more often until you have a handle on how much oil your vehicles uses. Every car is different, so we would suggest that you check your fluid levels every tank full of gas until you discover the exact usage of oil. After you have collected enough data, then you can add oil accordingly. A vehicle that uses conventional oil will most likely require more frequent oil changes.

There are other things that could increase the rate at which you change your car’s oil, including:

  • Lots of idling
  • Stop-and-go traffic
  • Extremely hot and cold weather
  • Humidity
  • Towing

If you are unsure how frequently your car needs an oil change, ask the friendly auto experts at Central Avenue Automotive for advice. They are very knowledgeable and able to discuss the best oil options for your vehicle and driving habits.

Contact Central Avenue Automotive at (253) 854-6762, or schedule an appointment using our convenient online appointment booking service. You can also come into our repair shop for a visit, located at 1514 Central Ave. Kent, Washington 98032.

Fuel Injection Keeps Getting Better For Kent Motorists

Posted by & filed under Fuel System.

Kent auto owners know that engines burn fuel to operate. Fuel is pumped from your fuel tank to your engine where it is squirted—or injected—into your engine’s cylinders. This is the function of the fuel injectors.

There are two ways to inject fuel into an engine. Fuel needs air to burn, so in the first method, fuel is injected into a port and allowed to mix with air and before it is drawn into the cylinders. In the second method, fuel is injected directly into the cylinders and mixes with air after it enters the engine.

Direct injection engines burn fuel more efficiently than conventional engines. Some models can deliver the power of a V8 with the economy of a V6.

For example, in one family of engines, the conventional version (a V6) delivers about 250 horsepower. The direct injection version delivers over 300 horsepower and gets about the same fuel efficiency. The turbocharged version delivers 350 horsepower.

Why the big difference in power? Direct injection systems allow fuel to be squirted into the engine at hundreds of times the pressure of a conventional engine. This atomizes the fuel better (breaks it down into tinier droplets), which means more of it gets burned, which translates to more power for your engine. It also results in cleaner emissions and improved fuel economy.

Fuel injectors are precision instruments. They have to deliver the right amount of fuel at exactly the time the engine needs it. They are also engineered to inject fuel with a specific spray pattern. This spray pattern allows for maximum fuel efficiency and proper atomization.

Direct injection engines require a much higher degree of precision than conventional engines. For this reason, they are equipped with more sophisticated computers.

When fuel injectors get dirty, their precision drops off. The spray pattern won’t be precise, and the timing of fuel delivery may be off. This decreases fuel efficiency and gas mileage for Kent car owners as well as delivering less power to the engine.

Fuel injectors are not cheap to replace. Direct injection fuel injectors are even more expensive. And we’re talking a mortgage payment to buy a set of new fuel injectors for a diesel engine.

So keeping your fuel injectors clean is just good auto advice for Kent motorists. The best way to do this is to change your air and fuel filters regularly and practice other habits of good car care and preventive maintenance at Central Avenue Automotive in Kent. Cleaning additives in your fuel can also help.

If you do end up with gum or varnish in your fuel system, you’ll need a professional fuel system cleaning. This will clean out your whole system, including the injectors. The good news is that with proper maintenance, your fuel injectors will last for a long time.

Why is it important to keep my tires inflated properly?

Posted by & filed under Tires and Wheels.

We at Central Avenue Automotive, recognize that every vehicle is different. Each car has its own personality and set of specifications that it must operate within in order to function at its optimum level. One of the elements that varies from car to car is the ideal tire pressure. Because tires can be easily inflated, many car owners elect to inflate their tires themselves, which can result in over or under inflation. Others may forget to regulate the tire pressure all together.

inflated-tire

Due to several fatal accidents in the mid 1990s with Ford Explorers and Firestone tires, Congress enacted the Tread Act. It was a law that was designed to help consumers with tire labeling, warranties, recalls and proper tire disposal. But, the main component to the law was the mandatory tire pressure monitoring system. This is a system that monitors tire pressure and will trigger a warning light if tires drop below a preset inflation threshold between 25-30% of the cold PSI rating of the tire. This does not warn you if your tire is 20% low or high on air, and that is enough to cause substantial premature tire wear, as well as decreased fuel economy.

There are a few occasions where you may want to have lower air pressure in your tire for a short amount of time, like on icy, snowy roads. This will increase the contact patch of the tire on the road and will allow for more traction. However, if you run tires with low air pressure for too long, it can increase the side wall temperature of the tires, causing a blowout. So, if you find yourself in an unexpected situation where you need some more traction, you can lower the tire pressure by 25-30% to temporarily get you out of the situation, then immediately re-inflate the tires to the recommended pressures. A better option would be to have the appropriate tires on the vehicle for the road conditions.

Maintaining the ideal tire pressure for your specific vehicle is essential for its proper operation and management. Having tires that are not inflated properly can result in damage to your car, and more importantly can increase your chances of having an accident. For these reasons it is important that you check your tires at least once a month while they are cold to ensure that they are neither over or under inflated.

Consequences of Overinflated Tires

Overinflated tires are most commonly a result of pumping too much air into the vehicle’s tires. Although a tire may look like it needs a certain amount of air, it is important to know and adhere to the levels specified for your car. Some of the results of having tires that are overinflated include:

  • Increased chance of damage
  • Rougher ride
  • Higher risk of blowout
  • Increased tire wear
  • Consequences of Under Inflated Tires
  • Under Inflated tires can have even more consequences than overinflated tires. Some of these consequences include:
  • Increased tire wear
  • Heightened risk of blowout
  • Increased difficulty with handling
  • Decreased fuel efficiency
  • Increased emissions

How do you know what is the proper tire pressure for your vehicle?

The proper tire pressure for your vehicle can most often be found on a sticker in the driver’s side door jam. The pressure marked on the sticker is the pressure that you should use. You should never use the pressure that is posted on the tire itself, because that pressure is the maximum pressure that the tire is designed to run. Since tires may fit several models of vehicles that weigh different amounts, engineers have calculated the optimum pressure that your tires should run and this is what is posted in the vehicle’s owners manual and on the door jam.

If you have questions about tire pressure, or would like to have your tires inflated properly, contact one of our experienced technicians at Central Avenue Automotive. You can reach them by calling (253) 854-6762. You can also come see Kent’s one stop repair shop at 1514 Central Ave. Kent, Washington 98032.