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Checking tire tread depth: How to tell if you need new tires

In Tires and Wheels by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

Every few years or so – whether you’re having a state inspection done, you have a flat tire, or during an oil change – you may hear that you need new tires. This is advice that shouldn’t be ignored.

Tires play a key role in protecting drivers and those riding along with them. 

Grooves and siping can be found around a tire and work together to keep it connected with the road. This is especially important during rainy conditions, when hydroplaning is possible.

When you purchase new tires, the tread depth typically ranges from 8/32 of an inch to 14/32 of an inch, depending on the tire. Through everyday use, this decreases overtime.

In order to pass the Virginia safety inspection, the tire tread depth must be at least 2/32 of an inch. (You can read more about what inspectors look for in this article we wrote.)

How to check tire tread

So, how can you tell if the tread depth is too low?

Well, you can try the tire penny test. Here’s out it works: Hold a penny vertically on the grooves so Abraham Lincoln is upside down. 

You shouldn’t be able to see the top of his head. If the top is visible, it’s time for new tires. Part of the head remaining covered indicates that the tire tread exceeds 2/32 of an inch.

If you still aren’t sure, it doesn’t hurt to have the tire tread depth checked at a car repair shop. They will be able to tell you for sure and recommend tires that fit your vehicle and budget.

Checking tire tread depth.

Another way to check it is through a method that most mechanics use – a 32” of an inch gauge. This is where you’re making a determination of where the minimum is for Virginia safety inspection and when it’s time to think about replacing tires. The state minimum is 2/32 of an inch. Most tire manufacturers recommend getting new ones around 4/32 of an inch, mainly due to the ability to move water away from the tire.

It’s a good idea to continue monitoring tire tread. Tires that are experiencing a significant amount of wear in one area can indicate a problem. Uneven tire wear, for example, could mean that you need a wheel alignment.

Buying new tires? Here are some things to consider.

If you’re ready to buy new tires, make sure you don’t just go with the cheapest option – unless you plan to sell the vehicle soon. 

Yes, your wallet may approve of the less expensive choice for the time being. However, cheaper tires won’t have as high of a speed rating and, therefore, won’t grip the road as well as those that cost more. 

Goodyear Tire is a reliable brand that produces all kinds of great options, including the Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season Tire and the Goodyear Assurance Fuel MaxLife Tire. You also can’t go wrong with Kelly Tire, which has the Kelly Edge A/S Tire.

Road hazard insurance is another expense that you should keep in mind. We offer a nationwide road hazard warranty that kicks in when a tire isn’t repairable. A tire may not be able to be repaired, depending on the injury’s angle and location

The road hazard warranty, which we offer on tires you buy from us, covers up to 100 percent of the cost of a new tire if the old tire can’t be repaired and is within the first 33 percent of its treadwear. It’s prorated after that.

So, even though you are putting more money up front, it could save you on future expenses.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season Tire: A dependable option

In Tires and Wheels by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

Life brings you to many places – from the day-to-day tasks of work and errands to the activities you look forward to, like celebrations and travel destinations.

As you hit the road, you need a tire you can rely on for protection and endurance.

Goodyear Tire produces many options that keep drivers on the road. The Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season Tire is one that does just that.

Whether you’re taking on tight corners, or inclement weather, this all season tire is up for the challenge.

Maintaining control

You should feel confident and in control as you’re driving.

The Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season Tire has shoulder blocks, which enable you to manage your commute and any adventures that arise.

If you look closely at the tread, you will see small lines called “sipes” that come in various sizes and are set at different angles. 

Why is this important? Well, these sipes enhance the grip as you travel along curvy roads. 

Great for all seasons

Having a tire that can be used all year round can be very helpful and stress relieving. We also recommend the Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season Tire for this reason.

If rainy weather is heading your way, you can be assured that it will help keep you and any passengers safe.

Hydroplaning can happen easily to any driver, especially when an area is experiencing heavy rainfall. Four open grooves located on the Goodyear tire move water away, reducing the chances of this happening.

Its tread is dependable in dry and wet weather and provides improved grip during snowy and icy conditions.

Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season Tire offers long lifespan

The Goodyear Eagle Sport All-Season Tire can be trusted for many reasons. In addition to being an all season option that provides great handling, it’s also a tire that’s built for longevity. This tire can last as long as 50,000 miles. 

It’s normal for tires, overtime, to see wear from daily use – as long as they aren’t wearing unevenly. When this one experiences wear, it still offers a confident grip. That feature can be attributed to the biting edges its sipes make.

Plus, it does its job while also giving you a comfortable ride.

Rim protection is another nice perk the tire provides. If you accidentally hit a curb, there’s no need to worry. A rim protector prevents damage when these situations occur.

This Goodyear option comes in many sizes and can be found on all kinds of vehicles, including SUVs, trucks, crossovers, and sedans. If you’re considering this tire, reach out to a local repair shop or tire shop near you to see if it’s a good fit for your vehicle.

We offer a wide range of tires – including Dunlop, Goodyear and Kelly – to meet your budget and needs.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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Steve’s Auto Repair and Tire: Who we are and what we do

In Alignment, Inspection, Maintenance, Tires and Wheels by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire has been serving the Woodbridge area for more than 32 years.

We are located at 2603 Hanco Center Drive – off Route 1 and Neabsco Mills Road – and provide a variety of services to meet your vehicle’s needs.

Services offered at Steve’s Auto Repair

State inspections and emissions inspections are among the services we offer.

Our technicians also perform oil changes and tune ups, and take care of your check engine light if it turns on.

During oil changes, they conduct mini state inspections. We will look over your vehicle and point out anything that may be a safety issue, a maintenance issue, or a service we recommend based on its mileage.

If you notice a strange noise or your car is acting strange, we can help with that too.

Steve’s Auto Repair is also able to service vehicles that use Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS), including camera and targeted systems.

To keep you updated while your car is at the shop, our technicians perform digital inspections that provide you with photos, videos and information about repairs and recommendations.

Tires and tire services available

Steve’s Auto Repair is an authorized Goodyear Tire dealer. If you’re driving on or past Neabsco Mills Road, you may notice our big Goodyear sign.

We also sell other types of tires, including Kelly, Dunlop and Hankook. If you’re looking for new tires, our staff is happy to help you find the right fit for your vehicle and budget.

In addition to selling tires, we do mounting, balancing, tire rotations and tire repair.

Our technicians perform wheel alignments, as well.

Pick up and drop off services

There are many ways you can drop off your car for service.

“You can either drop it off in the night owl night service or you can come into the office during hours that we’re open,” Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire Owner Scott Whitling said. 

We are open between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Staff members are also available to meet you in the parking lot and collect the keys and information.

Need a ride? We also have a free shuttle service that can pick you up or drop you off.

A pick up and delivery service is available, as well. Please give us a call to arrange it.

More about Steve’s Auto Repair

Some repair shops try to hit you for everything at once, because they are concerned you won’t come back.

We want to give a good evaluation of your car, so you know what condition it’s in. We don’t care about getting the sale today, we want to take care of you and your family for many years.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is a family-owned business. We support local non-profits and believe in the importance of giving back to our community.

“If you’ve been here before, we really appreciate you coming,” Whitling said. “If you haven’t been here, please give us a try.”

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac Tire a good option for off-roading

In Tires and Wheels by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

Are you a truck driver who does off-roading?

The Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac Tire may be the tire you’re looking for. We recently installed this tire on a Ford F150.

Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac Tire features

An all season tire, it features off-road and better winter traction and is severe snow certified.

This tire’s tread design includes wide gaps that enable it to barrel through mud.

Small teeth help provide you with better traction as you travel through mud and snow.

Improved traction isn’t the only perk.

The Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac Tire is a quiet tire that has rim protection. It’s also backed by a 50,000 mile treadlife warranty.

Other Goodyear Tires available at Steve’s Auto Repair

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire has a wide variety of Goodyear tires, including the Goodyear Assurance Fuel MaxLife, the Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar, and the Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady.

To learn more about these tires or others available, give us a call at (703) 670-8005. We are happy to help you find the right tire for your vehicle.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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Why is road hazard important?

In Tires and Wheels by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

Having a flat tire is a problem many drivers have experienced.

Nails can easily be picked up when you’re heading down the highway or going by construction sites.

Whether tires are repairable depends on the location and angle of the injury.

Those on the sidewall or the inner or outer shoulder, for example, can’t be fixed. The sidewall may also be damaged if you hit an object, pothole or curb.

It’s when the tire can’t be repaired or there are injuries to the sidewall that road hazard comes in handy.

Tire repair on tire tread.
tire repair

Road hazard warranty

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire sells a variety of tires, including Goodyear, Kelly and Dunlop.

A nationwide road hazard warranty is available with any you purchase from us. This warranty can save you money.

Up to 100 percent of the cost of a new tire will be covered if the old tire can’t be repaired and is in the first 33 percent of its tread wear.

After that, the road hazard is prorated. For example, if 60 percent of the tread is left, then the insurance company would cover 60 percent of the amount you paid for the tire.

Damaged tire.
damaged tire

So, how much is road hazard?

Road hazard tire insurance is typically 10 percent of the cost of the tire. The program that we use is good nationwide if the tire is unrepairable or there’s damage to the sidewall.

The plan is good for three years or until an area of the tire reaches 2/32 of an inch or less.

Considering the cost of not only high performance tires but also regular tires for SUVs, it’s a worthwhile investment.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.