Tire Pressure… Do you need to check it and when?

Flat tires, shredded tires or blown tires. No one likes the stress of any one of them. So, what can you do to limit the interruption of a flat or tire replacement? Firstly, try not to run over objects on the road, curb the wheels of your car or perform twirling smoke show burnouts. Secondly, take your vehicle to a trusted automotive facility that performs regular multi-point inspections and thirdly, replace worn or damaged tires.

But does checking the tire pressure help too? Do cars even come without tire pressure monitor sensors that tell you when you have a tire problem?

The truth is technology today has greatly improved our ability to monitor our vehicles' performances from the engine, to the power train, to the emission systems to even the tires. However, it is still important to check your tire pressure periodically. Especially when the weather changes a season, you intended to travel long distances, or you have driven over an object on the road.

When we perform a regular oil change or a multi-point inspection, Valley Eurotec Ltd.’s automotive mechanics always check tire pressures to ensure the pressure is set the manufacturers specifics. When there are concerns or issues with your tire pressure monitor sensor (TPMS) we can diagnosis and replace issues that may arise with these systems quickly to get you back on the road safely.

Winter Weather Car Check List

Winter is fast approaching and it is always a good idea to have your vehicle checked over before the cold weather gets here to ensure it is ready for the change. Here are the top five items we encourage our customer to be aware of:

1. Winter tires – changing your winter tires over before the snow gets here is a great idea. Often at the first sign of snow, everyone is rushing into the tire shop and auto shops in a mad rush to swap. Don’t get caught up in the chaos.

2. Wiper Blades – make sure your wiper blades have been replaced in the last 6 months, the rubber in the blades can harden and limit the connection from the wiper to the windshield which will affect the performance and visibility.

3. Coolant – ensure your coolant is good for the right temperature. Where we live the temperature is mild and we do not often see temperatures lower than -15. However, if you choose to head to the ski mountain or into the mountains where temperatures can be colder than -30, making sure your coolant can handle the temperature is very important.

4. Battery – having a health check-up on your batteries condition is important. Batteries experience added stress from the colder weather.

5. Lights – lights should always be checked by your auto repair shop during routine maintenance. But the winter season brings shorter days and long nights, make sure all your low/high beam headlights work, marker and signal lights to ensure full visibility for your self and other drivers.

Valley Eurotec Ltd. provides full winter inspections, tire changeovers, in-stock bulbs and we can test and change your coolant to ensure you are ready for the cold!