News Center

Archive by category: Tires 101Return
25

Is It Safe to Drive on a Tire with a Bubble?

posted on 6/25/2020 9:36:39 AM
Bubbles in your tires are generally caused by impacts on the road. Hitting the edges of potholes, small collisions, hitting a curb and speed bumps can all cause the sidewall to bulge in your tires. Your tires should always be smooth and round, so if you notice a bubble on the sidewall or see a section of tread bulging, it’s a sign that something is very wrong, and you should stop driving immediately. Tires that have a bubble are not safe to drive. When your tire has a bubble, the fabric of the...
Read More
| View Count: (365)
15

The Importance of Tire Rotations

posted on 5/15/2020 7:53:46 AM
A crucial factor in your vehicle’s health, efficiency and performance is getting regular tire rotations. A tire rotation is when the tires of your vehicle are moved from one position on the vehicle to another. The front tires will move to the rear and the rear tires will move to the front, typically in a cross-diagonal direction, meaning they will also change sides. Your vehicle carries more weight at the front, so front tires will typically wear out faster. Tire rotation is done to prevent th...
Read More
| View Count: (352)
05

What to Know About Nitrogen-Filled Tires

posted on 5/5/2020 3:28:54 PM
Keeping your tires properly inflated is a key to getting the maximum fuel efficiency from your vehicle. Properly inflated tires also reduce tread wear, improve your car’s stopping distance, and decrease the chances of a blowout. Nitrogen-filled tires are said to have the benefit of keeping your tires inflated longer than the standard compressed air tires. The air in your tires eventually escape through the tire’s inner liner, but nitrogen-filled tires take a longer time.    Routine maintenanc...
Read More
| View Count: (459)
12

Why You Should Store Your Winter Tires

posted on 3/12/2020 1:28:33 PM
Tire storage is an important factor in maximizing the life of your tires. While swapping out one set of tires for another is a challenge in itself, once your winter tires are removed, you still need to store them properly for the warm months ahead.    It’s important that your tires be properly stored when they’re not in use in order to make sure they’re ready to go when the temperature drops. Storing your winter tires is beneficial because:    Improper storage can result in reduced life fo...
Read More
| View Count: (406)
14

How to Protect Your Tires Against Common Road Debris

posted on 2/14/2020 10:20:29 AM
Good tires are not cheap, so it is important that you do everything you can to extend the life of your tires. Because a vehicle’s tires are the first point of contact, road hazards such as small rocks, trash, debris, and salt and chemicals can be hazardous while driving. Attempting to avoid the debris is dangerous when driving because — both visually and mentally — it is hard to process the hazard level of an object in the few seconds a driver has to react. Drivers who encounter road debris,...
Read More
| View Count: (286)
30

Tire Patterns and What They Mean

posted on 1/30/2020 3:25:00 PM
Tires are one of the most important safety and performance features of a vehicle. These specialized tools are the only part of your car which maintains direct contact with the road. This means there is a lot of planning and design put into the functionality of your tires. Look at your tires, what do you see? A mesmerizing pattern, since performance is key. The design of the tread on your tires isn’t only for aesthetic purposes. The arrangement of cuts into the rubber is done with the ...
Read More
| View Count: (103)
11

How is a Tire Installed?

posted on 12/11/2019 9:01:33 AM
For the safety and performance of your vehicle, your tires should be installed by an expert technician. Proper installation enables your tires to function fully and provides maximum safety. On average, a tire installation takes about 45 minutes to an hour. After you have selected the right tires for your vehicle, your tires will be expertly installed. A proper installation includes:    Inspecting the lugs or wheel bolts Installing new rubber valve stems where applicable Mounting the tire...
Read More
| View Count: (103)
25

Why Is Tire Pressure Important?

posted on 11/25/2019 10:24:17 AM
Your vehicle’s tires should always be inflated to their proper PSI (pound per square inch), which is the standard rating for air pressure within a tire. The PSI for your vehicle’s tires is generally found on the drivers’ door jamb, inside your owner’s manual or on the tire itself. Proper tire inflation will allow you to have the best possible control of your vehicle and gives you a more comfortable ride.   For proper tire pressure and inflation:   The pressure of your tires must be in ac...
Read More
| View Count: (118)
31

Do You Need Winter Tires?

posted on 10/31/2019 1:59:09 PM
Do You Need Winter Tires? Are you curious about the difference between different types of tires? When it comes to winter tires and regular tires, the main difference between the two is tread depth. On winter tires the tread depth starts at between 8 and 9 mm as opposed to 7 and 8 mm on a regular tire. Winter tires have a wider and deeper groove within the tire tread which forms a larger channel for snow and water to travel through and maintains a grip on the road. One of the most important feat...
Read More
| View Count: (116)
23

How Temperature Affects Tires

posted on 9/23/2019 8:56:29 AM
The US has a wide variety of climates, but generally, weather conditions are cold during the winter and hot in the summer. In southern states, summers are very hot and humid while in the Pacific Northwest, summers are warm with cool mornings and evening conditions. Winter in the South is mild, but in the North conditions are often very cold with lots of snow and below zero temperatures. How do all these variations affect your tires?    The temperature outside has various impacts on your vehicle...
Read More
| View Count: (143)
Page 1 of 4 FirstPrevious [1]

Visit Our Shop

Contact Us

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (205) 320-7000
Fax:
Address: 2224 3rd Ave South
Birmingham, AL 35233
Powered by Net Driven
Login

Make a Tire or Auto Repair Appointment Today!

We’re glad that you decided to come to AutoTread for your tires and tire repair needs! At AutoTread Mobile Tire Service, customer service has always been at the center of our business and our culture. AutoTread got to where we are today through hard work, a friendly and responsive attitude toward our customers and our innovative mobile tire service truck, offering roadside assistance, tire repair, wheel changes, balancing and tire rotation. We think this is one of the things that makes AutoTread truly unique in Birmingham, AL – bringing the best in tires and tire service straight to you, wherever you are, rather than you trying to figure out the best time to come to us! Give us a try and schedule an appointment to find out why so many customers have turned to us for tires in Birmingham, AL. We’re sure that once you come to AutoTread Mobile Tire Service, you’ll be part of the loyal customer base that we’ve built up over all these years!