Tires Tires Tires :: Auto Services

Oil Changes
The demands your vehicle puts on your engine’s oil are very unforgiving, including friction, intense heat, and contaminants. Eventually, the oil loses its ability to lubricate, cool, clean and flow freely.
Each function is extremely important to the performance and life of the engine. Changing your oil when specified by your manufacturer is affordable insurance on your investment.

Filter Replacement
Air Filters & Breather Filters

An air filter should never be tamped or blown with compressed air in an attempt to clean it. This can loosen material that has previously been trapped in the filter paper and results in the introduction of dirt into the engine.
Generally speaking, a slightly dusty look confirms that the air filter is working-the darker the filter, the more likely it is time to change.
It is recommended that air filters are replaced every 7,500 miles, unless used in very harsh conditions or otherwise specified by the manufacturer

Cabin Filters
Many vehicles today come with a cabin air filter that is designed to filter out dust, dirt, pollen, and other harmful contaminants from the air entering your passenger compartment. The cabin air filter is designed to play the same role that your air conditioning filter does for your house.

Cleansing and protecting the air that you and your passengers breathe
Reducing the dust accumulation inside your car and keeping it cleaner
Most manufacturers recommend replacement every year to 12,000 miles

Fuel Filters

Clean fuel increases gas mileage and improves engine performance. Ignoring service on the fuel filter can have serious short-term consequences
Most manufacturers recommend that fuel filters be changed every 24,000-36,000 miles

Oil Filters

The safest recommended plan of preventive maintenance is to change the oil filter at the same time the oil is changed. This eliminates the worry of two different change intervals

PCV

A PCV valve ventilates the crankcase and when worn can cause rough engine idle, blown oil seals, excessive engine part wear and shorter oil life.
A worn out PCV valve can also contribute to air pollution.
Most engine manufacturers recommend changing the PCV valve every 12 months or 12,000 miles.

Preventative Maintenance
Preventative Maintenance keeps your vehicle running strong and running dependably through all stages of its life.
Follow your manufacturer’s scheduled specifications for proper vehicle maintenance service in order to assure proper functioning of all your vehicle’s parts and systems.

By following your vehicle’s scheduled maintenance intervals, you will get the maximum life and performance from your vehicle, and maintain any vehicle manufacturer warranty requirements.
Preventive maintenance can:

Help improve fuel economy
Help your vehicle deliver peak performance at any age
Find minor problems early to avoid major malfunctions later
Reveal cracks, frays, leaks and bulges in belts and hoses
Insure that oil, radiator, battery, power steering, brake and automatic transmission fluids are checked, changed and filled to recommended levels
Help your vehicle last longer
Keep your vehicle running safer

Balancing & Wheel Alignment
When do you need an alignment or wheel balancing?
You need an alignment or wheel balancing when:

Your vehicle pulls to right or left when driving
Your steering wheel is not straight while driving on a level road
There is vibration in the steering wheel or through your seat
Your tires are wearing unevenly or squeal on turns
Your steering feels unstable

Other recommended alignment occasions:

Every 6,000 miles or 6 months
After the first 2,000 miles in a new car
With new tires
After a collision, accident, or hitting a large pothole
With new suspension or steering parts
Following a transaxle repair on front-wheel-drive cars

How can an alignment and wheel balancing improve your vehicle’s performance?

Improve driver safety
Maintain straight steering wheel
Proper return of the steering wheel when coming out of a turn
Increase fuel efficiency
Maximize tire life
Keep your car tracking straight
Improve drive handling
Improve suspension parts life
Smooth ride

Computerize Wheel Alignment

Restores your vehicle’s alignment to as close to factory specifications as mechanically possible (for most vehicle’s)
Our alignment specialists completely inspect steering and suspension systems, take computer measurements and make necessary factory adjustments to restore alignment specifications as allowed

Brakes Services
Know the symptoms of bad brakes. What’s wrong with my brakes?

A high-pitched scraping or squealing noise that goes away when you step on the brake tells you that the brake pads could be worn.
A grinding, metal-against-metal sound when braking indicates that your brake pads or shoes may be completely worn away, and you are now damaging the rotors or drums.
If your brake pedal feels soft or mushy or gets harder and higher when you pump it, you might need your brakes “bled” (which gets air bubbles our of the brake lines), or you may have a leak in the system.
If the brake pedal slowly sinks to the floor when you step on it (or intermittently), you might be in need of a new brake master cylinder or other hydraulic service.
If your car pulls to one side when braking, you might have insufficient hydraulic pressure in one part of the brake system, or one brake caliper might be sticking. Front-end problems can also cause this symptom.
Smoking brakes, usually accompanied by a very bad smell, indicate a stuck brake caliper or wheel cylinder, or weak return springs on drum brakes.

Battery & Electrical
There are many different points to note when selecting a battery.
Points to note when selecting a new battery.

Climate: The colder your climate the higher CCA (cold-cranking amps) rating you need.
Cold Cranking Amps (CCA): The discharge loads measured in amps that a fully charged battery at 0 degrees Fahrenheit can deliver for 30 seconds while maintaining the voltage about 7.2 volts.
Reserve Capacity: The number of minutes a fully charged battery at 80 degrees F (26.7 degrees C) can be discharged at 25 amps until the voltage falls below 10.5 volts.
Type: Includes Low-maintenance (non-sealed) and maintenance-free (non-sealed or sealed).
Size: Based on OEM cranking amp requirements for make, model and year of car.
Age: Make sure the battery you buy is never more than six months old. At this age, batteries begin to “sulfate” or lose charge. Tires, Tires, Tires guarantees our batteries as “fresh.” Be sure to check the date code on the battery.
Warranty: Select the battery with the warranty that makes you feel most comfortable.

Starting & Charging System Analysis
For vehicles that do not crank or crank slowly Our analysis includes:

battery test
alternator test
system analysis

Air Conditioning
Your air conditioner will not function properly when refrigerant is lost due to leaks in the system and if air or moisture find their way into the system. Cooling ability is diminished and system failure can occur.
Remove contaminants to prolong the life of your air conditioning system.
Have your air conditioning checked if your vehicle:

Blows warm air out of the air conditioning vents
Doesn’t cool the passenger compartment
Makes a noise when the A/C system is on

A/C Check
Diagnose leaks and mechanical problems in air conditioning system. Includes:

Pressure readings
Leak test
Component performance and visual inspection
Visually check belts, hoses and connections
Test outlet temperature
Check coolant level

A/C Recharge*

This service ensures proper air conditioning system refrigerant fill through recovery, evacuation and recharge. We will:

Perform A/C Performance Check service
Recover the old refrigerant
Evacuate the system to a minimum of 29” vacuum
Inspect and adjust drive belt tension (if necessary and if applicable)
Clean condenser fins (if needed)
Test compressor operation
Fill refrigerant to OEM specifications*
Add leak detection dye to system
Check outlet temperature to determine cooling performance
Check proper operation of controls, blower motor, cooling fan (engine)
Check coolant level

*Additional cost when refrigerant is required.

Coolant Exchange
Your vehicle’s radiator is the heart of its cooling system. Its function is to reduce heat from the hot water circulating in the cooling system. To work properly, it must be clean, free of leaks, clear of blockages and filled with the proper coolant.
Engine coolant is designed to protect your car radiator and cooling system year round. There are a variety of coolants available. Most have additives to protect your cooling system by preventing corrosion, lubricating, and increasing cooling efficiency.
To maintain proper operation, it’s important to replace the coolant in your system with the proper type as per the manufacturer.
Our complete coolant flush and exchange removes virtually 100% of the old coolant. Your vehicle’s manufacturer recommends changing this fluid at certain intervals throughout the life of your vehicle. This service helps:

Keep the engine operating at optimum termperature by dispersing heat through the radiator
Prevent rust and corrosion from forming on internal parts
Reduce the chances of freezing and boil-over during extreme conditions

Complete Coolant Chemical Flush and Exchange

A visual check of the cooling system for indications of leaks or oil content
Pressure check of the cooling system and radiator cap for external leaks
Visually check the crankcase oil and automatic transmission fluid for water content and proper levels
Check condition and tension of drive belts
External inspection of all hoses for cracks, swelling, brittleness and deterioration
Check fan blades, fan clutch and pulleys for alignment and damage
A chemical flush compound is added to the system
Completely remove and exchange old coolant and chemicals with new coolant
Includes up to 2 gallons of new coolant, proper type for vehicle and the chemical flush compound
Recommended service internal: 24,000 miles.

Belts & Hoses
There are different types of belts and hoses.
There are several types of hoses your vehicle’s engine needs to run properly, including:

Top radiator hose - Carries engine coolant to the radiator for temperature reduction of coolant
Bottom radiator hose - Returns the cooled fluid to the water pump and on throughout the engine
Bypass hose - Carries cold fluid from the water pump past the thermostat for faster engine war-up and helps maintain constant engine temperature
Heater hose - Circulates hot coolant to and from the passenger compartment heating system

These hoses should be replaced when the hose is:

Cracked and/or broken
Hardened and/or lost flexibility
Bulged and/or swollen
Leaking

Types of belts and what they do

V-Belts
Individual v-belts are used for driving auxiliary accessories such as alternator, water pump, air conditioning compressor and cooling fans. Replace a v-belt when it is:

Cracked or split
Greasy
Glazed
Peeling
Noisy
At OE scheduled maintenance interval

Serpentine Belts
These belts transmit power from the engine crankshaft pulley to a series of smaller accessory drive pulleys, including the water pump, alternator, air conditioning compressor and power steering pump. Replace a serpentine belt when it is:

At OE scheduled maintenance interval
Excessively cracked, split or chunking
Cracked diagonally against the ribs
The idler pulley is operating past the indicator marks
Grease or oil contaminiated
Glazed
Exhibiting edge damage and/or wear

Multi-rib design provides better belt-to-pulley contact for less slippage, so it lasts longer than conventional belts and eliminates the need for “matching”, and allows “controlled slippage” in shock overload situations, such as when the A/C compressor kicks in. The transverse groove design runs cooler (up to 50 degrees F), and dramatically reduces rib cracking, thereby increasing the life of the belt by at least 40%.

Timing Belts
Timing belts drive camshafts and balance shafts. Replace a timing belt when:

At OE scheduled maintenance interval
The teeth are sheared or worn
The lands between the teeth are worn
The back of the belt is cracked or worn
The edge is damaged and/or worn
It is grease or oil contaminated

Tensioners
To maintain the constant belt tension and torque required to drive a vehicle’s multiple accessories, a spring-loaded tensioner is incorporated into the drive system. Replace a tensioner when there is:

Noise or resistance
Improper belt tracking
Loss of tension
Sticking or notchy movement
Metal-to-metal contact
Broken or cracked tensioner stops

Engine Diagnostics
When do you need engine diagnostics?
Any of these symptoms may indicate the need for engine diagnostic services or repairs to your vehicle:

Engine light on
Slow cranking
Rough idling
Pings or knocks when accelerating
Decreased fuel efficiency

Tires, Tires, Tires technicians will inspect your engine system and perform engine diagnostics, providing you with a complete analysis of the current conditions and a repair cost estimate.
Based on the Diagnostic readings, some engine components that may need to be serviced include:

Emissions
Engine sensors, including: crank/cam sensor, oxygen sensor, airflow sensor, EGR sensor, MAP sensor, temperature sensor, throttle position sensor
Coil packs
Distributor cap and rotor
Ignition wires
Ignition module
Fuel pump

No Start/No Run Diagnosis

Diagnosis of problems for vehicles that crank properly but will not start. Determines if the cause of no start problem is mechanical, ignition or induction and determine necessary repair.

Check Engine Light Service

Is your engine light trying to tell you something? Why not find out? The “check engine” light on cars 1994 and newer could be directing you to problems with your emissions system or engine controls. Includes:

Retrieve and identify any codes stored within the vehicle’s on-board computer system
This service is included at no charge, when purchasing any other diagnostic or tune-up service

Computerized Engine Diagnostic Service

For vehicles that run but run poorly, stall, hesitate, or suffer reduced gas mileage. Tires, Tires, Tires expert technicians will perform a special computerized diagnosis that will identify the problem. Includes:

Road test
Complete engine performance diagnostic test
Fuel pressure test
Visual inspection of emissions system and other underhood systems
Retrieve computer codes to identify potential problem areas.

Tune Ups

Why get a tune-up?
Reasons for getting a tune-up include:

Better gas mileage
Smoother running engine
More power
Longer engine life
Trouble-free operation

How often should I get a tune-up?

It all depends on the type and age of your vehicle and the way you drive it. Vehicles that require more tune-ups:

Older vehicles
Vehicles used for many short trips
Vehicles used in climate extremes
Vehicles that experience performance problems
Manufacturers’ recommended interval

When is a tune-up recommended?

The smartest time to get a tune-up is before you have trouble! Tires, Tires, Tires recommends a tune-up if your vehicle:

Idles or runs rough
Is hard to start or restart when hot
Has poor acceleration and hesitation
Gets poor gas mileage
Frequently stalls or hesitates
Emits black smoke
Rattles when accelerating
OE manufacturers’ scheduled interval tune-up/plug replacement.

Fuel Systems
There are a number of good reasons to maintain the fuel system of your engine.
Your fuel system may need cleaning if you experience:

Stalling
Rough idling
Hesitation
Hard starts

Removing the buildup of dirt and particles will not only help restore and improve your vehicle’s performance and reduce emissions, it will also help improve your gas mileage—an important factor considering today’s gas prices.
Depending on the type of fuel system service you choose, our technicians may perform some or all of the following:

Fuel Induction System Cleaning

Includes:

Injector cleaner
Fuel induction cleaner
Decarboning of valves and pistons
Throttle body cleaning
Pressurized fuel rail and injector service
Fuel Miser Services (Fuel & cost saving packages) Gold, Plus, Value
Visually inspect your engine’s air intake system
Visually inspect your fuel system
Check tire pressure

Detailed Fuel System Cleaning

Includes:

Maintenance
Throttle Body Service: Helps clean deposits from the throttle and throttle body. Helps restore smooth idle and acceleration.
Clean and adjust
Setting the minimum air authority, if necessary

Fuel Rail & Injector Cleaning Service

Pressurized fuel rail and injector cleaner (For use with a specialized tool to connect to the vehicle fuel injection system)
Tank fuel system cleaner
Helps restore performance, restore mileage, reduce emissions and improve driveability
Designed to help remove carbon buildup from injectors, valves and combustion chambers
Helps loosen and remove gums, coking, dirt and deposits from the engine, to provide better performance and economy in modern engines and fuel systems

3-Step Fuel & Induction System Cleaning

Helps restore performance, restore mileage, reduce emissions, and improve driveability. Designed to remove carbon buildup from injectors, valves and combustion chambers. Loosens and removes gums, coking, dirt and deposits from the engine, to provide better performance and economy in modern engines and fuel systems.

Fuel tank injector cleaner
Induction cleaner solvent (induced using a tool that connects to a manifold vacuum line)
Throttle body service, clean throttle body & plate

Transmission & Fuel Exchange
Quality transmission fluid keeps your car moving.

Transmission Fluid Exchange Service

Up to 4 gallons transmission fluid for flushing & exchange
Transmission chemical flush and additives
Friction modifier for certain applications (where applicable)

High Mileage Transmission Fluid Exchange

Protects against the effects of heat
Protects & extends transmission life
Reduces leaks by keeping seals soft and pliable
Maintains smooth shifting performance & improves drivability
Prevents clutch wear & reduces shutter

Benefits:

Excellent high-temperature oxidation protection
Superior anti-shudder protection
Outstanding low-temperature protection
Smooth, consistent shifting

Shock & Struts
Worn out shock absorbers could be dangerous!
Results of worn shocks include:

Worn shocks may no longer keep the wheels on the ground, compromising road holding and handling
The car may sway dangerously on tight bends and turns
Braking distance may increase by up to 8.5 ft.
Reduced efficiency of car headlights during heavy braking
A front-wheel-drive vehicle driving in wet conditions may hydroplane at a lower speed than vehicles with newer shocks

Why buy pairs?

Unmatched shock absorbers can worsen the ride and handling problems, making control of the vehicle difficult. New shocks and struts provide:

Improved ride
Improved handling during emergency lane changes and situations requiring increased control
Superior control on rough roads
Increased control during panic stops
Greater stability with heavy loads