Every Tire Discounters location has ASE-certified suspension experts to explain the importance of shocks and struts, detect any problems in your suspension and recommend the next steps if necessary.
Have you ever heard the phrase, "put the rubber to the road"? When you boil it down, the only thing that keeps your vehicle connected to the road is the small section of your tires as you're driving down the highway. The more the tires stay in contact with the road, the more traction your vehicle has.
Every vehicle has a spring of some kind, coil, leaf, torsion, etc. The shock or strut (a type of shock) are really dampers, they control the rate the spring compresses or decompresses. When the damper wears, the spring is not controlled (we have all seen the vehicle with the wheel that keeps on hopping.) When a spring isn't controlled properly, the tire contact patch isn't consistent and you have a loss of traction. Shocks and struts make sure the rubber stays on the roads. They are crucial to both your safety and your vehicle life.
According to Motorist Assurance Program Standards, your shocks should be replaced every 50,000 miles. Unfortunately, most people don't know this and jeopardize their safety while putting unnecessary strain on their car. Many times shocks and struts do not show signs of being bad, just like that pair of shoes you wear, but when you replace them, OMG. To put that number in perspective, when you reach 50,000 miles your shocks will have cycled approximately 87,500,000 times. Who wouldn't need a break after that? Speaking of taking a break, you should also know that worn front shocks and struts is the #1 cause of premature front brake wear.
Luckily, every Tire Discounters location has ASE-certified suspension experts to explain the importance of shocks and struts, detect any problems in your suspension and recommend the next steps if necessary.
Vehicle sways or leans on turns
Excessive vehicle bouncing
The bushings are broken or damaged
Fluid leaks from the strut
Vehicle "wallows" down the road (doesn't feel crisp)
The speed rating of a tire is based on U.S. Government standards for reaching and sustaining a specified speed. Typically, a tire with a higher speed rating results in better handling. Speed ratings apply only to the tire itself, and not to a particular vehicle. Putting a tire rated for a certain speed on a vehicle does not mean that the vehicle can be safely operated at the tire's rated speed.
Tire Load Range refers to the maximum weight a tire can safely support at a specified tire pressure. For Light Trucks and SUVs, ranges are usually expressed using SL (Standard Load) and XL (Extra Load or Reinforced). It can also be represented by letters (e.g., C, D, E), which indicate the tire's ply rating, which traditionally referred to the number of layers of material within the tire.
A higher load range indicates a tire designed to carry heavier loads. For example, a tire with a Load Range E can support more weight than one with a Load Range C. The correct load range is critical for vehicle safety and performance, especially for trucks, trailers, and commercial vehicles.
Tread depth is the distance between the top of the tread rubber to the bottom of the tire's deepest grooves. In the United States, tread depth is measured in 32nds of an inch.
A tire’s maximum load is the maximum amount of weight the tire is designed to hold. The tire’s load carrying capacity is directly related to the tire’s size and amount of inflation pressure that is actually used. Each load range has a assigned air pressure identified in pounds per square inch (psi) at which the tire's maximum load is rated.
A tire’s maximum inflation pressure (PSI) is the highest "cold" inflation pressure that the tire is designed to contain. When measuring a tire’s max PSI, it is important the tire is "cold," because warmer temperatures can cause the tire pressure to temporarily increase resulting with inaccurate readings. This measurement should only be used when called for on the vehicle’s tire placard or in the vehicle’s owners manual.
The mileage warranty of a tire indicates the number of miles that a tire is estimated to last. If a tire fails to last for the number of miles indicated by the warranty, the customer will be given credit from the tire manufacturer toward a new tire based on how many miles short of the estimate the tire fell. Some restrictions apply.
The total width of the tire, including any raised features on the sidewall.
This is how many layers of rubber and other materials are in the tire.
The represents the smallest and widest size wheels that are recommended by the tire manufacturer for the tire to be mounted on.
The measurement, in inches, from rim flange to the other rim flange.
The maximum width of a wheel that a tire can be put onto.
The minimum width of a wheel that a tire can be put onto.
A tire's section width (also called "cross section width") is the measurement of the tire's width from its inner sidewall to its outer sidewall (excluding any protective ribs, decorations or raised letters) at the widest point.
What makes up a tire; each ply, the sidewall, the tread, and bead.
This number will tell you how well the tire will disperse heat buildup.
This is how much weight a tire is rated to hold.
Mounting and Balancing – up to $159.96 pending wheel diameter
Lifetime Rotation – $299.90
Lifetime Balancing – $449.90
Lifetime Tire Pressure Adjustments – $16
Rubber Valve Stems – $8
Tire Repair** – $140
Total = $1,073.76
*Estimate based on 4-tire purchase of 60,000-mile tires.
**Excludes: Under 40 series, run-flats, mud tires, trailer tires, off-road vehicles, and any tire over six (6) years old. Other exclusions may apply.
TD will repair flat tires as long as it can be done safely in accordance with Tire Industry Association (TIA) Guidelines. Excludes: Under 40 series, run-flats, mud tires, trailer tires, off-road vehicles, and any tire over six (6) years old. Other exclusions may apply. See store for details.
National accounts and local fleet not included.
National accounts not included. Other exclusions may apply.
Mounting & Balancing $76
Lifetime Tire Pressure Adjustments $16
Rubber Valve Stems $8
Lifetime Rotation $240
*Estimate based on 4-tire purchase of 60,000 mile tires.
Our Nationwide Worry Free Guarantee offers FREE unlimited Tire Repairs for the entire life of your tires. If your tire can't be fixed and is over 3/32" tread, no worries, we will give you a replacement tire at any time, up to 3 years. We'll even help get your tire changed by including reimbursement for Roadside Assistance (up to $75) for the first 12 months at no additional cost. Effective: August 24, 2017. For complete details, see our warranty at any Tire Discounters location.
Components of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor wears over time.
A TPMS Service Kit is suggested each time a tire/wheel is serviced. If left unchanged, over time, these components of the TPMS may corrode, leak or fail.
Tire/wheel service is defined as when tire is removed from the wheel.