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.
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
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
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.
This week, we replaced brakes on a Dodge Charger. They were low, due to normal wear and tear.
But doing a complete brake job doesn’t just consist of putting brake pads in and letting the car go.
Replacing brakes on a Dodge Charger
When working on the Dodge Charger, we measured the brake rotors and determined if they were machinable.
Dodge Charger
For most of these vehicles, it’s best to replace the rotors, even if they are machinable. That way, you don’t have to worry about warping or the brake pedal pulsating – which is when the car vibrates as a driver steps on the brake.
We recommend you use a good brake pad. Cheap does not equal good. There are businesses that will offer a lifetime warranty on brake pads, because they are cheap and can be thrown on anytime. However, these places will always find something wrong with your car.
You should also ensure that the caliper slides move. It’s also a good idea to clean them up and use the correct lubrication, so they can move back and forth freely.
Other services included in complete brake job
During a brake job, our technicians also replace the hardware, if present. Hardware is a spring tension piece of metal located between the brake pad and caliper bracket that prevents the pad from banging back and forth and reduces squealing. It needs to be lubricated correctly, as well.
Brake hardware
Making sure the caliper piston boot isn’t torn or leaking is also important.
Once the brake system is reassembled, we test the brake fluid to see if there are any contaminants. Over time, moisture builds up in the brake fluid and old seals and metal cause contaminants to accumulate. That is why we perform brake fluid exchanges.
So, in summary, a complete brake job means:
Replacing the brake pads and rotors
Checking the caliper slides
Replacing the brake hardware
Performing a brake fluid exchange
Doing a test drive
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.
There are a few ways drivers can get their vehicle ready for it.
We recommend having a mechanic look over various components to avoid possible problems in the future.
Here are some parts that should be checked:
Heat and defroster
Belts
Car battery
Windshield wiper blades
Fluid levels
Tire pressure
Headlights
More information about these parts can be found below.
How’s your heat?
When I first get in my car on a chilly day, my first thought is to turn on the heat. But a lot of us don’t actually think about whether the heat controls and defroster are actually working.
Now is a good time to check them. The last thing you want is to find out something is wrong when it’s freezing outside.
You should make sure your belts and battery are in good working order, as well. Overtime, belts can break, fray or get caught around other components. Drastic changes in temperatures – both in the winter and summer – can kill a weak car battery.
Seeing that we do experience frost and occasionally see some snowy days, we also recommend taking a look at and replacing the windshield wiper blades.
Fluid levels for winter preparation
Windshield washer fluid is mainly used in the summer, but it’s also needed to get frost off your windshield in the winter.
Some people pre-dilute their windshield washer fluid when it’s warmer and don’t give it another thought. When the temperature drops, the tank can freeze and crack, causing the windshield washer fluid to leak out.
Taking a look at your basic fluid levels, such as coolant, is another way you can get ready for winter.
Since we’re not using the heat during the rest of the year, we don’t really consider if the coolant is low. Coolant plays an important role in temperature control, so it’s a good idea to have someone check it out.
Antifreeze is another fluid that needs to be looked at. Make sure that it is at a safe level and it has a good protection level for temperature.
Many will notice that their tires are lower and automatically think that all of them are flat. If all tires look low, it’s probably because of the temperature.
If one tire is lower than the others, you may want to have it checked, because it could mean there’s a leak.
Taking steps to ensure that your vehicle is ready to tackle winter weather could extend its lifespan and can help keep you and your family safe.
If you have any questions about winter preparation, give us a call at (703) 670-8005 or visit us at 2603 Hanco Center Drive in Woodbridge.
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.
What’s the value of coming to Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire for an oil change, rather than other places?
Yes, you can get your oil changed pretty much anywhere. However, when you choose to have this service performed at Steve’s Auto Repair, you don’t just drive away with an oil change.
What’s included in our oil change
In addition to changing the oil and oil filter, our technicians look over your vehicle through a mini state inspection. They pull the wheels and rotate the tires, as well – which you would normally be charged an additional $20 for elsewhere.
With our digital inspections, which we can email or text to you, you can see recommendations we have for you without having to wait around at the shop. The digital inspection also gives you an update on various parts, such as the condition of your car’s air filter or how worn the brake pads are.
Last year, we began using full synthetic oil for all vehicles, except for the few cars that require regular oil. With this switch, you no longer need to worry about the up sale of oil.
As people start returning to work, they will be driving more. Synthetic oil allows you to travel 5,000 miles between oil changes and is better for the internal components of the engine.
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.
