Should I Buy New Tyres?

Ever crossed a mechanic who suggests you get new tyres for your vehicle by merely looking at them? They may say that your old tyres are no good. But don’t take that as Gospel! Read on to identify the 5 relevant reasons to get new tyres in Rotherham.

1. Uneven Wear: Wheels are inarguably the most critical component of your car. They are the only point of contact between the road and your vehicle, so they tend to wear. However, tyres do not wear evenly because the weight is unevenly distributed. Your vehicle’s configuration, driving pattern, and the road conditions affect the wear pattern. You can avoid uneven wear by swapping front and rear tyres. This spreads the load more evenly and doesn’t let it wear out entirely before the rest. However, if you still notice uneven wear, then look for the whole contact surface and outer edges of the tyre. A persistent hitch here should be remedied with new tyres.

2. Tread Bars to minimum depth: Change tyres if your tread depth goes beyond the safe driving limit which is generally 1.6mm.

Your vehicle can lose traction and grip on wet or icy roads due to worn down treads. It may even cut down the momentum building capacity of the car and reduce the necessary water discharge when the road is wet; during rains, you may even lose control of your vehicle. When the treads wear down to the lowest tyre wear indicator, breaking distance increases and it takes longer to stop on slick roads. It may also increase the risk of hydroplaning and cause an accident. Better change tyres in this case and drive safe.

3. Decreased Efficiency: If you feel that your vehicle is consuming more oil than usual, it may be time to check the tyres.

Worn out tyres need a significant amount of stress to be put on your axle and tyres to get moving. This makes your car work harder than usual and decreases fuel efficiency. Gas mileage decreases when the tread pattern on the old tyres becomes uneven. It’s probably time to replace old tyres with new ones if you start facing difficulty turning around the vehicle.

4. Frequent Bulge or a blister: If your tyres are blowing more often, then check the size of the sidewall or tread punctures. Prolonged use of failed tyres can be fatal for you and the people around. Puncture size larger than 0.64mm is beyond the scope of any repair. It could also be due to lacerations or other significant damage. Repairing tyres with puncture size larger than 1.6 mm will surely trap you with a flat tyre soon. So, if you suspect larger puncture sizes, get them professionally checked and buy a new one if needed.

5. Rough Driving: If you notice that your vehicle is moving unpredictably, turns are getting more difficult, or manoeuvring between lanes is getting tricky, it’s probably time to say goodbye to your old tyres. They also pose an imperceptible risk of sliding and skidding on treacherous roads with grit, snow, and water.

By paying attention to these telltale signs, you can identify the need for new tyres and get more bang for your buck. Our experts at ETS Auto Centre can provide car maintenance, repairs, and other servicing needs under one roof. Just bring your car to your nearest ETS Auto Centre, and we will diagnose and fix the problem areas.

Signs of a Faulty Exhaust that You Can Check By Yourself

Your car’s exhaust system is much more than just the tailpipe that you see sticking out from under your car’s rear bumper.It is a system consisting of multiple components like a catalytic converter and muffler, all connected through an extensive network of pipes. There can be an issue with any of these components.

If you are facing any such problems, take your car to a reliable automobile workshop like ETS Auto Centre. They have an exceptional team of technicians who perform exhaustservice in Rotherham at the most affordable rates.

However, before you can take your car for the service, you need to diagnose the problem. Given below is a handy guide to help you detect and resolve the most common issues.

1. Unordinary noises –Other than filtering the poisonous gases coming out of your car engine, an exhaust also reduces the sound that the engine generates. The muffler performs this task. However, if there is a crack in the system, it will lose its functionality.

The UK Government imposes some strict noise and emission regulations for every car on Brit roads. If your car is making excessive noise, you might get fined.

However, if you are looking for a sporty exhaust note to match your car’s performance, you can use an aftermarket exhaust. It offers a responsible sound level that appeals to vehicle enthusiasts and stays well below the legal limits.

2. Reduced performance –Another tell-tale sign of a faulty exhaust is a significant reduction in car performance. It happens when your exhaust cannot pump the burnt fumes out of the engine.

For performance enhancement, you can install a brand new unit in your car. An aftermarket exhaust increases a car’s performance by almost 8-10 per cent.

3. Poor mileage –If your car engine strains to perform, it will consume a lot more fuel. So keep your eyes open for your car’s fuel efficiency; bad mileage can be the result of an exhaust problem.

4. Check Engine Light (CEL) – Multiple sensors monitor the performance of the exhaust system and alert a driver when there’s an issue through the CEL on the dashboard. When you see this light flashing, take your car for an engine diagnostic in Rotherham to determine the source of the problem.
5. Gas odor – When there’s a leak in one of the pipes, the fumes escape and may find a way to your inner cabin through the air vents. Even the fumes that have been treated can be extremely harmful to everyone in the car.

Exhaust issues can cause more problems than you can imagine. Not only is it illegal to drive with, but it can also cause severe environmental hazards. Furthermore, you may have to cough up anything up to £2,500 in fines if the authorities catch you driving with a faulty exhaust.

All these can be avoided if you keep your exhaust system in check and rush to an auto garage at the first sign of trouble. You know what to look out for!

Reasons Why You Should Invest in Continental’s Winter Tyres Today!

While buying tyres, most people tend to go for summer ones and use them all year round. But do the summer or all-season tyres work as well as the winter ones? The answer is huge “no”.

People often think that just since they don’t get snow in their area, they don’t need different tyres for winter. But this is untrue, as winter tyres are a great investment to ensure safety and minimize the chances of accidents on frozen roads.

Continental Tyres are one of the most reliable tyre manufacturers who have an extensive range of tyres to choose from; including winter ones. So, if you are searching for new tyres in Rotherham, it is best to read up on why you should invest in some new winter tyres from Continental.

Why Are Winter Tyres Important?

There are several reasons as to why people need to change their car tyres before winter. For instance:

·         All-Season Ones May Not Always Work:

All-season tyres are great. But they are best suited for places with mild temperatures. If you are looking for tyres in Rotherham, you will need to get some winter tyres whenever the mercury starts dropping. That is mainly because all-season tyres tend to become stiff as soon as the temperature gets low. A stiff tyre means decreased traction, and that increases the risk of accidents by a huge margin. For instance, the ContiWinterContact TS 850 or ContiVikingContact 6 from Continental Tyres is much better suited for winter than other all-season tyres.

·         Winter Tyres Are Not Just For Snow:

It is a common misconception that people need winter tyres only if they get snowfall. However, this is not true. During winter, a thin film of water can stretch over the road, making it extremely slippery. Summer tyres with their shallow grooves and deep trades cannot grip the road properly through it; moreover, that hard rubber can further harden up and create a loss of traction. The rubber used for winter tyres, unlike others, stays pliable and soft when the temperature drops, making them ideal for gripping the road even through the thin layer of water.

·         The Tyres Have Special Treads:

If you want to buy tyres in Rotherham, you must know that different tyres have different treads. The tread patterns are extremely important during winter because they help to provide traction for the tyres. Winter tyres are specifically designed with single-directional and deeper treads to combat snow and icy roads. For instance, the ContiVanContact 200 or Conti4x4SportContact have directional tread, making them ideal for the winter.

·         Winter Tyres Don’t Necessarily Mean More Money:

Most people worry whether they can afford a separate set of tyres for winter. But just because they are made for a particular season, does not mean that they will cost more. Continental tyres especially have a great range of affordable winter tyres that will make sure you stay during your daily commute, without burning a hole in your pocket. So if you are thinking of changing your tyres, you can check out the collection of ETS Auto Centre tyres Northampton and pick the perfect one for you. 

Therefore, it is important to invest in some winter Continental tyres even if you don’t get snowfall. Also, only swapping one tyre out for a winter one does not do the necessary job. It is important to change all four for your car to be entirely safe during the months of winter. So go for a ContiWinterContact TS 800 or VikingContact 7 as your car’s winter tyres Rotherham until the weather conditions become mild again!