If you live in rural Pennsylvania, you know how risky our roads are. Take Route 11 near Danville, for example. Over the summer, the road was closed due to downed trees and wires after a severe storm. Unfortunately, scenarios like this are common in rural areas of Pennsylvania like Danville, Elysburg, Washington, and Bloomsburg. However, one way you can protect yourself on these rural roads is by getting new tires. The process of getting new tires, rotations, & balancing is essential to getting to your destination safely. Here’s why.
Why Are Old Tires So Dangerous?
To understand why new tires are important for a safe commute in and around Pennsylvania, we have to discuss why old tires are so dangerous in the first place. Simply put, all tires have a shelf life of about six years. This timeframe starts from the date it was first manufactured.
However, the busier life becomes, the easier it is to forget this date, which means that many Washington, PA drivers are driving on tires that are too old and too worn. As tires age, the rubber starts to break down and crack. These cracks cause the steel belts in the tread to separate from the tire itself, putting you and your loved ones in a precarious situation every time you get behind the wheel.
How Often Do You Need a Vehicle Inspection in PA?
However, chances are, your tires will never get to this point considering Pennsylvania’s law about yearly inspections. All Pennsylvania drivers are required to have their vehicles inspected annually, and one of the factors that will determine whether you pass inspection is good tires. Experts agree that the lowest tread depth is 4/32 of an inch.
In order to pass inspection, all tires must have a depth of at least 2/32 of an inch. Anything lower than this is considered “legally bald” and needs to be replaced as soon as possible. You will also not pass inspection. The goal of Pennsylvania’s vehicle inspection is to make drivers aware of these dangers so they can remedy the issue before getting back on the road.
Rotating and Balancing Tires Can Extend the Life of Your Tires
One of the easiest ways to extend the life of your tires is to have them professionally rotated and balanced. Rotating tires is the process of removing your wheels and replacing the front to the back and the right to the left. Then, your automotive repair shop will use a balancing machine. This will check the weight of your tires and if they are properly balanced.
There are three types of balance-weight machines:
- Dynamic wheel balancers: the most common type of balancer used in most auto repair shops. They offer impeccable precision by recreating the natural movement of the wheel.
- “Bubble” balancers: a lightweight, non-rotating balancer that shows the imbalance by a bubble in the center of an oil-filled glass gauge.
- Static balancers: lightweight, cost-effective balancers that read the tire balance without moving the wheel.
How Often Should Tires Be Rotated and Balanced?
Most experts agree that you should have your tires professionally rotated and balanced every 7,000 miles. A good rule of thumb is to have your tires rotated and balanced every time you come in for an oil change, which for most people is about 3,000 miles – although owners of newer vehicles may be able to extend this time frame a bit longer. Oil changes are completely dependent on the type of vehicle, how often you drive, and the type of oil you use.
Benefits of Rotating and Balancing Your Tires
As noted above, rotating and balancing your tires can extend the life of your tires. However, routinely doing this offers several other benefits as well, such as:
- Protecting other parts of your vehicle: Did you know that uneven tires can cause damage to your brakes, brake pads, and alignment? This is just one example of why routine tire rotation and balancing are so important. In addition to protecting your brakes, rotating and balancing your tires can also help protect your wheel bearings and suspension.
- Improves your vehicle’s handling: As mentioned previously, the roads in rural Pennsylvania can be dangerous. Couple that with bad weather and you have a recipe for disaster if your car hasn’t been maintained enough to handle it. Fortunately, with routine tire rotation and balancing, you can spread the wear evenly among all four tires. This means you have better handling in the event of an emergency where you need optimal traction.
- It saves you money on car repair: Since tire rotation and balancing evenly spread wear to all of the tires to help them be more balanced, they also save you money because you’re not going to be damaging other parts of your vehicle like you could if your tires were not in good shape. Anything that puts money back in your pocket is a major benefit.
- It gives you a smoother ride: Along with improved handling, having even, balanced tires simply makes your drive smoother and more enjoyable.
There are numerous benefits to getting your tires rotated and balanced. When you’re ready, the auto repair experts at George Automotive Services can help.
Get Your Tires, Rotation, & Balancing Done at George Automotive Services, and Start Handling Pennsylvania’s Rural Roads Like a Champ
At George Automotive Services, your safety is our priority. Whether you need new tires or want ongoing maintenance in the form of rotation and balancing services, our Danville, PA auto repair shop can help. We understand how important it is to have a car that’s up-to-date on these winding rural Pennsylvania roads. Call us today at 570-491-1302 or visit us at 533 Jacobs Alley, Danville, PA 17821.
Our team has the knowledge and resources available to work on all makes and models of cars. This includes European, American, and Asian vehicles.
Best of all, if you’re in a hurry, we offer full, same-day auto repair. Whatever you need, our auto repair experts are here to help.
