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Archive by category: Tires 101Return
21

What To Do With Those Old Tires

posted on 5/21/2020 10:32:09 AM
Every year, about 290 million tires are discarded; of those, about 233 million are recycled in one way or another. Shredded tires can be used for playground surfaces, welcome mats, hot-melt asphalt, bark mulch and even made into building material for “green” construction. But what can you do with your old tires? Here are some ideas: Fill a tractor tire with sand to make a great sandbox for kids Hang a tire from a rope as a tire swing Stack a couple of tires on top of each other, bolt t...
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21

A Brief Explanation of Tire Information

posted on 5/21/2020 10:25:03 AM
Ever wonder what the designations stamped on your tire sidewall actually mean? We’d like to break it down for you. Let’s take for instance, “P195/60R15 87S”. This is a full service description of a tire. In this case, “87S” denotes a tire’s load capacity and speed rating. The higher the number, the greater the load capacity – an 87 load capacity means that tire can support 1,201 pounds. Speed ratings range from L (75 mph) through V (149 mph), and an S speed rating means the tire is good...
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21

Flat Spots? Let’s Clear Up Some Myths About That…

posted on 5/21/2020 10:18:28 AM
So your vehicle’s been sitting for a while…you get in it, start the engine and pull out of the driveway when you notice a hard, rough (but very regular) vibration that only gets worse with speed. It doesn’t feel like it’s coming from the driveline or suspension – so what is it? It could be that the tires have developed flat spots. With the weight of the vehicle pressing down on the tires for long periods, a section of the rubber and belts can become softer (or harder) than the rest of the...
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21

Self-Inflating Tires…Soon To Be A Reality?

posted on 5/21/2020 9:57:43 AM
Driving around on underinflated tires is just a bad idea all the way around. Underinflated tires increase a car’s rolling resistance, meaning a drop in fuel efficiency since it takes more energy to move the vehicle down the road. A single tire that’s down by ten pounds of air means a 3.3 percent drop in fuel economy…multiply that by all four tires, and you can figure on giving up ten percent of your gas mileage. The added friction and rolling resistance also means more heat is generated, an...
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21

4 Things About Tires You May Not Have Known

posted on 5/21/2020 9:50:53 AM
Tires all look sort of the same…round and black…and people tend to think tires don’t change much over the years. That’s really not true, though – engineers and designers are constantly working on advances in tire designs for more miles, better fuel economy and better performance. Here’s a rundown of current trends in tire technology you may not have been aware of: Tall, skinny tires are coming back. If you’ve ever ridden a beach cruiser bike vs. a racing bike, you know that skinny tir...
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21

The Latest in Green Tech Innovations for Tires

posted on 5/21/2020 9:48:41 AM
When it comes to your car, oil isn't the only thing there's a finite supply of. Rubber has its limits too, and it's estimated by 2020, the supply of natural rubber in the world may be outstripped by demand. And of course, tires require a great deal of oil to produce as well. Tire manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to innovate and conserve resources in tire production. Here are some recent advances: Dandelions: Yes, those humble yellow flowers you try to eliminate from your yard. Da...
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21

So You Get A Flat Tire...What Now?

posted on 5/21/2020 9:39:44 AM
Nobody ever looks forward to a flat tire, and nobody ever says "well, that was a really good time" after having one. You can at least minimize the damage to your tire and danger to yourself, though. Flats vs Blowouts If you get a blowout, you'll know about it right away. Sometimes the tire can fail dramatically, with a bang as loud as a shotgun going off. Other times, it might just be a loss of air and a sudden change in your car's handling, followed by vibration, noise and a pull to one side....
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21

A Brief History of the Tire

posted on 5/21/2020 9:14:57 AM
The tire is such a commonplace item -- it's on every car, every truck, every bicycle, every aircraft. It's easy to not give the tire a second thought, but like every other technology, the tire has an interesting history of advances and failures. In the 19th century, carriages and wagons used steel strips for "tires" on their wheels, with the punishing sort of ride that you'd expect. In later years, they were shod with strips of natural rubber, which was an improvement but was still problematic...
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21

Don’t Forget Your Spare

posted on 5/21/2020 8:47:07 AM
Oh, the lowly spare tire. It doesn’t get much respect. Today, a lot of vehicles don’t even come with a spare tire anymore, not even the little “donut” space-saver spare. Instead, to cut weight and free up space, they come with a compressor and a can of a Fix-a-Flat-style product in hopes that you can get back on your way again. Great idea, unless your tire has a sidewall puncture or is shredded… Anyway, if your car is equipped with a spare, you shouldn’t just ignore it. Tires have a shel...
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21

Winter Tires? Or All-Season Tires?

posted on 5/21/2020 8:44:28 AM
Winter tires versus all-season tires…which is the right choice for you? The two designs are quite different and deliver different levels of performance and winter-weather traction, so let’s discuss. All-season tires are designed as an all-around compromise. They feature a tread pattern that evacuates water from the tire’s contact patch to prevent hydroplaning, with plenty of small, textured slits (sipes) to add extra biting edges for traction in wet or slushy conditions. All-season tire...
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| View Count: (207)
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Schedule a Tire Service Appointment Today

Economy Thrift Tires proudly serves the local Waldorf, MD, and Manassas, VA & Woodbridge, VA area. We specialize in brake repair, tire installation, wheel alignment, tire repair, tire rotation, and more. We also have a large selection of tires to choose from when you are looking for new tires. We feature tires that fit your needs and budget from top quality brands such as Michelin®, BFGoodrich®, Uniroyal®, and more. We pride ourselves on being your number one choice for tires. If you're looking for the best automotive repair & maintenance services near you, contact Economy Thrift Tires today. Let us earn your business. Schedule an appointment online!