Tire Rotation, Tire Alignment, and Tire Balancing – What’s the Difference?

Picture of tires and wheels for an alignment, balance, or rotation

What is the Difference Between Tire Rotation, Wheel Alignment, and Tire Balancing?

Tires can be costly and inconvenient to replace, which is why tire repairs and protections are so important. However, it can be difficult to distinguish between the various tire services and determine when you may need them. Your Chapel Hill Tire experts are here to help with this quick guide to tire rotation, tire alignment, and tire balancing. 

What is a Tire Rotation?

The tread on your tires is what keeps you safely controlling, slowing, and stopping your vehicle on the road. Over time, the tread on your front tires becomes worn more quickly than your back tires because they absorb additional friction as you turn your wheels.  A tire rotations involve switching your tires so that they wear more evenly, protecting your set of tires as a whole and keeping them lasting for as long as possible. 

How Often do I Need a Tire Rotation?

The ideal cadence of your tire rotation can depend on your brand of tires, your vehicle’s steering system, your driving patterns, and the road conditions in your area. On average, you will need a rotation every 5,000-8,000 miles. Consult your owner’s guide for more information, and consider keeping an eye on the changing tread of your tires to stay ahead of needed rotations. 

What is Tire Balancing?

Road bumps, potholes, tire wear, and other negative conditions can throw off the balance of your tires. Tire balancing is the process of eliminating uneven points in your tires to provide a smooth, comfortable ride. This is often done by match mounting. Match mounting is the tire balancing process of inspecting your wheels and matching the high and low points in your rims with that of your tires. 

When do I Need Tire Balancing? 

Tire balancing is not a routine service, so you should only get your tires balanced as needed. You can tell that you are in need of tire balancing if your vehicle or steering wheel shakes and vibrates as you drive. These symptoms are usually heightened at faster speeds. You might also opt for occasional tire balancing if you have invested in specialty or expensive rims. Tire balancing can keep your rims protected by maintaining vehicle stability on the road and keeping your rims evenly covered. If you are unsure of whether or not you need tire balancing, speak with an expert at your local tire and mechanic shop. 

What is a Tire Alignment?

Does your vehicle feel as though it is not driving perfectly straight? Or maybe it seems to be drifting towards one side of the road? You might be due for a wheel or tire alignment. Wheel alignment is a vehicle service that makes sure your tires are pointed straight and aligned within the axis of your vehicle. Misaligned tires can cause accidents, uneven tire wear, and other dangerous driving situations. This is why it is important to find a tire professional who offers free alignment inspections and get your vehicle checked at the first sign of an alignment issue. 

When Do I Need Tire Alignment?

Much like tire balancing, tire alignment should be completed as needed rather than routinely. The signs and symptoms can be hard to distinguish between that of a tire balancing issue, as vehicle and steering wheel shaking can be caused by alignment problems. One key distinction is that misaligned tires often drift or pull your vehicle and steering wheel to one side. Still unsure if you are due for an alignment? Read our five signs that you need a tire alignment, or contact our tire experts today for insight and a free alignment inspection. 

Tire Service in the Triangle

When you are due for a tire rotation, balancing, or alignment, the experts at Chapel Hill Tire have you covered. We have eight Triangle-area locations, spanning Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Durham, and Carrboro. Visit your local Chapel Hill Tire or schedule your tire service appointment right here online to get started!

How To Protect Your Battery From Cold Weather

Charging Car Battery

The average lifespan of a car battery is roughly three to five years. However, you might notice that your battery struggles more during seasons of extreme weather—especially when it is nearing a needed replacement. According to the experts at AAA, a car battery can lose up to 60% of its charge during periods of severely low temperatures. The cold weather can take a toll on even the newest and healthiest batteries, so here is what you can do to protect your battery from the effects of the cold. 

Drive Your Car Regularly

If the weather permits, you can protect your car battery during the winter season by driving it regularly. Because your battery recharges while you are driving, leaving your car sitting for weeks or months at a time can leave your battery drained, especially during intense cold seasons. Driving it regularly will give it the chance to recharge.

If you are worried about your battery in the cold weather, you should also try to avoid driving your car in short bursts. When the cold weather drains some of the life out of your battery and then you use its charge to crank your car, your battery will likely be running low on life. If you then drive it for only a minute or two before turning it off and letting it sit again in the cold, it will not have the time it needs to recharge. Especially if it is an older battery, this can leave it defenseless to the cold weather. 

Park in the Garage

You can provide your battery with protection from the cold by parking in a garage or underneath a covered area. This will keep snow or ice from landing and freezing on your vehicle. Garages, while often not heavily insulated, can also provide a warmer space for your car. If you are not used to parking in the garage, remember to always open your garage door before starting your car so that you are not trapped with the exhaust fumes.

Quality Battery Selection

A helpful way to assure the cold weather does not get the best of your car battery is to set yourself up for success with a high-quality battery. If you aim for a lower-quality battery, you might find it fading sooner than a more quality alternative. In the moment of purchase, you might save a little money, but you will likely pay more long-term with the more frequent battery replacements. This is especially true during the seasons of extreme weather. If you find your battery does not survive the winter weather, replace it with one that will last you as long as possible. Your vehicle and your future self will surely thank you for this investment. 

Preventative Maintenance and Care

If you notice that your battery is corroded or has defective terminal ends, it will be more susceptible to the adverse effects of cold weather. In fact, these conditions can cause your battery to stop working at any possible time, in any season. You can also have your battery, your starting system, and your charging system tested by a local mechanic. These services can protect your battery, allowing it to persevere through harsh weather. 

Keep Jumper Cables or a Battery Pack

If your battery is nearing the end of its lifespan, it is important to keep a battery pack or jumper cables in your car. This will give you the charge you need to get your car to a mechanic for a new battery. Read our eight-step guide to jump-starting a car if you need help getting it going. Once your car is running, schedule an appointment with your local vehicle service experts to get it replaced before it fails you again.

Hybrid and Electric Car Batteries in Cold Weather

The cold weather and its impacts on battery life can be especially challenging for drivers of electric and hybrid cars. The depletion of charge can impact your vehicle’s driving range, requiring more frequent charges and hindering trips of longer distances. This makes these measures of protection especially important for your vehicle. Visit a Certified Hybrid Repair Center for help to have your battery regularly inspected and cared for.

New Car Battery in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill

When you are due for a new battery, the Chapel Hill Tire experts in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro can help you identify and resolve your battery troubles. Our team provides quick, affordable, and high-quality battery services and replacements. Visit your local Chapel Hill Tire location or make an appointment here online to get started today!

Transparent Oil Change Costs

Oil Change in Raleigh

Oil Change Prices

Why do most mechanics and dealerships hide the costs of their services? You might be wondering if they will try to take advantage of your visit and overprice their services. Or perhaps they think that their oil changes are so expensive that displaying their service costs would deter customers from visiting the shop. At Chapel Hill Tire, we value our customers, which is why we display transparent pricing for all of our services. Here is everything you need to know about the actual price of oil changes. 

What Does an Oil Change Involve?

One of the most common vehicle services—and arguably the most important for keeping your engine protected—is the oil change. This product keeps your engine lubricated so that it can function without harmful friction. Over time, your oil becomes filled with debris, making it less effective in providing proper protection for your engine. Your oil levels also become depleted as your engine burns through your oil supply. This is where an oil change comes in. Not only do you need to supply your vehicle with oil, but you also need to remove the old oil and replace the filter that prevents the harmful debris from entering your engine. If you partner with an outstanding oil change expert, you will also receive routine vehicle checks included in the price of your oil change. On average, you need an oil change every 3,000 miles or every six months, whichever comes sooner. Maintaining regular oil change services will keep your vehicle protected and prevent costly engine damage from occurring. 

How Much Does an Oil Change Actually Cost?

Every mechanic has to price their oil changes in a way that helps keep business open. However, you want to ensure that this number does not take advantage of your visit. Here is how much an oil change actually costs your mechanic:

  • Oil Costs: Perhaps the most obvious expense, the mechanic will pay for several quarts of oil to fill your reserve. There are multiple different types of oil that vary in thickness, which can affect your oil change costs. If you take a look at your oil cap, it will tell you which type of oil your engine requires. 
  • Labor Cost: Here, you pay for the years of experience and the professional care provided by your oil change technician. You also reap the convenience of having an expert take care of your vehicle. 
  • Filter Cost: Your oil filter keeps contaminants out of your engine. These contaminants can wear away at your filter over time, which is why you require regular filter replacements. The cost of your filter may vary slightly depending on your vehicle make, model, trim, and year. 
  • Disposing of Used Oil Cost: Part of the hassle of an at-home oil change is navigating the disposal of the old, messy, and contaminated oil. An expert mechanic has the resources and an established process to ethically dispose of old oil. 

Collectively, what you pay will reflect the cost of the oil change for your mechanic. Even with all of these offerings, oil changes are often reasonably priced—usually running between $40-$70. You can also find oil change coupons to help offset the cost of this service. 

Transparent Oil Change Prices

You won’t find hidden costs here at Chapel Hill Tire. Instead, we keep all of our prices clear and transparent on our services page.

The only variance possible in this price is if your vehicle requires a filter or oil that is non-standard or higher in cost. This price includes five quarts of oil, an oil filter change, an air filter check, a fluid levels check, an inspection of your belts and hoses, and a tire air pressure check. 

Visit Chapel Hill Tire | Oil Changes with Transparent Prices

If you are ready to ditch the traditional hidden oil change costs, visit your local Chapel Hill Tire location. With 8 Triangle-area shops—including mechanics in Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Durham, and Carrboro—you can get a quick and affordable expert oil change no matter where your day takes you. Schedule your Chapel Hill Tire oil change today to get started!

5 Ways to Know it is Time for a Tire Alignment

Wheel Alignment

Do I Need a Tire Alignment?

While plenty of vehicle issues are easy to spot, some can be harder to detect than others. Misalignment in your wheels is one problem that is often difficult to spot, but it can cause your tires to wear unevenly and lead to larger vehicle issues as a whole. But how can you be sure when you need to have your wheels aligned? Here are the tell-tale signs that you are due for a tire alignment.

Recent Car Accident

If you were recently involved in a car accident, chances are you need a wheel alignment in addition to your expected vehicle repairs. The impact of an accident often shifts the alignment of your tires, be this shift subtle or highly disruptive. Even subtle shifts can lead to costly tire or steering system damage down the road. You should have your car inspected following even a minor fender bender to ensure that your vehicle has not incurred any structural damage.

Steering Wheel Vibration

Vibrations in your steering wheel are often a direct reflection of a tire issue. You may need tire balancing, wheel alignment, or another vehicle service to correct the source of these steering vibrations. When tires are pointed in different directions they can cause conflict and a pulling back and forth between the two separate courses. Aligning your wheels to be evenly facing is an ideal way to smooth and protect your steering system as a whole.

Vehicle and Steering Wheel Pull

Do you ever feel your vehicle or steering wheel pulling to one side during a drive? These could be a clear sign of an alignment issue. When your tires are not set up straight, your wheels (and thereby your steering wheel) will be led in the direction of your tires. This can make driving more difficult to manage. Similarly, you might also find that to drive straight down the road you need to hold your steering wheel at an angle. If these symptoms arise in your vehicle, have it inspected by a professional as early as possible to prevent an accident from occurring when your vehicle drifts.

Uneven Wear in Tire Tread

Uneven wear in your tire tread might be the clearest indicator of misaligned tires. If you find that the tread on some of your tires or certain parts of your tires wears out more quickly than others, you may be due for a tire alignment. This is caused by the fact that misaligned tires can put added stress on affected areas of your wheels. This uneven tread will lead to more frequently needed tire replacements, the costs of which can add up quickly.

Take Your Vehicle in for Expert Input

Perhaps the most solid sign that you are due for a tire alignment is advice from your professional mechanic. They have diagnostic tools and automotive knowledge tp determine the source of vehicle issues, be they misaligned tires or another culprit. Make careful note of the issues that you are experiencing. If you are worried about the cost of vehicle services, partner with a mechanic network that offers transparent pricing and coupon discounts. It is better to pay upfront for a reasonable repair than to face the costs of more expensive damage down the road.

Visit Chapel Hill Tire | Local Mechanics

If you think you might need a tire alignment, the experts at Chapel Hill Tire are here for you! With transparent prices, helpful technicians, and 8 convenient Triangle-are locations, you can get the help you need to put your car (and its tires) back on the right track. If you need new tires, not to worry! You will find the best tire prices here thanks to our Price Beat Guarantee. Contact your local Chapel Hill Tire location to make an appointment today!

Chapel Hill Tire Opens New Shop at Crabtree Valley Mall

Mechanic at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh

Chapel Hill Tire Opens New Shop At Crabtree Valley Mall

Our second Raleigh location is our 8th overall

It took 65 years for Chapel Hill Tire to open our first shop in Raleigh. Founded in 1953, we arrived in North Carolina’s capital city in 2018 with the purchase of Atlantic Avenue Tire and Service, in the Millbrook area. After earning 30% growth in our first year, co-owners Marc and Britt Pons felt we could build on that success with a second store.

“We are a values-based local company that is motivated to do great work under the hood to make life better for the person behind the wheel,” says company president Marc Pons. Online appointment scheduling, free shuttle service, a best-in-the-industry 36,000 mile warranty on all service, and employees who are always working to find a way to say ‘yes’ to our customers, are just some of the ways we live our values. Plus, our Price Beat Guarantee makes sure we always have the lowest price on new tires, so that our customers know they can count on us to deliver great value.”

Located at Crabtree Valley Mall, 4325 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 4000, in a car repair shop that had been vacant for a while, Chapel Hill Tire’s new shop opened on January 2nd. “We’ve spent the past few months refurbishing and upfitting the location,” says Pons, “as well as hiring a great team of technicians and service advisors. We are ready to go and excited to get started.”

Are Your Brakes Ready for the Winter Season?

two cars on a snow-covered road

How Does Cold Weather Affect Brakes?

While your brake health is important year-round, worn brakes can be especially dangerous during the winter season. Because your brakes are essential to keeping you safe while on the road, the New Year is an ideal time to check your brake pads. Is your car ready for the cooler weather? 

How Do Brake Pads Work?

Have you ever wondered how your vehicle can go from traveling at 70+ miles per hour to a complete stop at just the touch of your foot? This outstanding process is made possible by your vehicle’s braking system. The purpose of your brake pads is to provide the friction that it takes to slow and stop vehicular movement. Most brake pads are made of buffer material and durable metals like steel. When you press your foot to the brakes, your brake pads press against the turning rotor, which then slows and stops the wheels. Over time, this friction wears down on your brake pads, which is why they need regular replacements to stay in good working order. When there is little to no material left on your brake pads, your braking system does not have the buffer it needs to smoothly and effectively slow and stop the turning rotors.

How Frequently Do I Need New Brakes?

The cadence of brake pad replacements depends largely on your vehicle usage, your braking patterns, your tires, and the brand of brake pads you have. Your need for new brake pads can also be impacted by the climate of the area you live in, the road conditions, and the season. Generally, a brake pad begins with about 12 millimeters of friction material. You should have them replaced when 3 or 4 millimeters remain. For a more general estimate, the average brake pad change should happen every 50,000 miles. If you need help gauging whether or not you are due for new brake pads or getting your replacement completed, contact the experts at Chapel Hill Tire. 

Brake Function During Winter Weather

The colder weather and challenging road conditions can be especially taxing on your braking system. Because it is more difficult to slow and stop on icy roads, your brakes have to work harder to operate successfully. This can cause your system to wear more quickly in the winter. During the colder seasons, it is especially important that your brakes are in good health for these same reasons. Ignoring brake pad issues can result in damage to your braking system or can cause you to get in an accident when your vehicle has a difficult time stopping. This is why regular brake inspections and brake pad replacements are essential for keeping your vehicle functioning as it should and keeping you safe while on the road. 

Visit Chapel Hill Tire

If you are in need of new brakes to prepare for the winter weather, visit the experts at Chapel Hill Tire! With 8 Triangle-area locations, our professional mechanics proudly serve Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro. Schedule an appointment with the Chapel Hill Tire specialists today to get started!

The Warmest April We’ve Ever Known | Chapel Hill Tire

The Chapel Hill Tire team spreading Christmas Spirit

The Warmest April We’ve Ever Known

Meet April Thompson, one of our community’s most remarkable people.

For meeting needs big and small, she has the will to find a way

We started a new holiday tradition here a couple of years ago. We call it The 12 Days of Christmas, and it’s our way to honor some truly wonderful people in the Chapel Hill area. After asking members of the community to nominate one of their heroes to receive $1,000 in free car care, we choose the 12 people whose stories of service and triumph moved us most. That’s how we met April Thompson.

It all started after a major storm

April has an inspiring commitment to providing support and resources to people in need. After Hurricane Matthew devastated parts of  central and coastal North Carolina with heavy rains and flooding, she founded Orange County Strong N.C. to help.

“I woke up one morning and said, ‘I have to do something,’” Thompson said. “They have no water, they have no resources. I decided to start by filling my personal vehicle full of supplies to take down.”

Day after day, Thompson brought food, water and other resources to those most affected by the hurricane. Not once did her faith waver. 

A hurricane is a big, dramatic event, but there are so many small storms, and so many ways that a flood of events can overwhelm us. So, April has continued the work of Orange County Strong, focusing on helping people all over the Chapel Hill and Orange County areas.

“We’re just a group of people in the community, not a nonprofit,” Thompson said.

And it continues in a lasting legacy of compassion

With this group of people, April collected enough donations to heat the home of a single mother in the depths of winter. She funded a headstone for a veteran’s grave. She collects backpacks filled with school supplies for local schools. Last Christmas, she helped 84 families put gifts under the tree.

“It’s a labor of love. It’s not easy, it’s very stressful at times,” Thompson said. “At the end of the day, it is the one thing I’m most proud of in my life.” 

The work of Orange County Strong may have started in 2016, but the love has much deeper roots.

“I just grew up with a good family —a very good family — and I was always taught to give back to people in need and to never forget where you came from,” Thompson said.

In 2016, her father, a Hillsborough native and community servant himself, passed away. From then on, it was Thompson’s mission to honor her father’s legacy by continuing what he started. 

As she carries this legacy forward, her big heart imprints the value of compassion on our entire community. From the bottom of our hearts, April, we are honored to celebrate you.

Now Open: Chapel Hill Tire at Crabtree Valley Mall

Sign reading "Yes, We're Open"

Chapel Hill Tire Crabtree Is Now Open

The experts at Chapel Hill Tire are proud to announce that our newest location in Raleigh is now open. We are excited about this new journey as we extend our services to the Crabtree area. Schedule your service appointment with the experts of Chapel Hill Tire of Crabtree today!

Automotive Repair Convenience

The Chapel Hill Tire experts strive to provide quick and convenient service to drivers in the Triangle. When you partner with Chapel Hill Tire of Crabtree, you will never have to wait around for service. Instead, our experts will shuttle you to Crabtree Valley Mall, where you can get your shopping done while we service your vehicle. If you do decide to wait in our shop for your car, you can enjoy our wide variety of advanced amenities. This takes the stress and hassle out of vehicle service. 

Tire Distributor Raleigh

Are you looking for an excellent price on new tires? Chapel Hill Tire of Crabtree offers the lowest prices on new tires in Raleigh. We know our prices are the lowest thanks to our Price Beat Guarantee. Bring our experts a competitor’s tire estimate and we will beat it by 10%. This is in addition to our everyday low tire prices. You can rest assured that you are getting the best prices on your tires when you shop at Chapel Hill Tire Crabtree.

Services Offered

While our name promotes our advanced tire specialty, Chapel Hill Tire Crabtree is a full-service automotive shop. Here you can find any standard vehicle service that you may need. Our services include:

These and other services are available at your local Chapel Hill Tire. We even offer a wide range of service coupons to make our everyday prices even lower. For full details and pricing for all of our Raleigh vehicle services, visit our site today or call the experts at Chapel Hill Tire Crabtree.

Why Choose Chapel Hill Tire

The Chapel Hill Tire system has grown to great heights thanks to our experienced, knowledgeable mechanics and outstanding customer loyalty. We build this trust with our customers thanks to our reliable service and dedication to the drivers we serve. Our experts provide transparency with our services and prices, and we treat every customer like a part of the Chapel Hill Tire family. 

Where is Chapel Hill Tire Crabtree Located?

If you are looking for a mechanic on Glenwood, Chapel Hill Tire has you covered. You can find our new Raleigh location at  4325 Glenwood Avenue, STE. 4000 Raleigh, NC 27612. Reach our vehicle service experts by phone at (919) 636-4109

Visit Chapel Hill Tire Crabtree

Make an appointment with the Crabtree experts at Chapel Hill Tire. Our Raleigh mechanic shop is open six days a week at the following times:

  • Monday: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
  • Wednesday: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
  • Thursday: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
  • Friday: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm
  • Saturday: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
  • Sunday: Closed

Schedule your appointment today to get started! We look forward to seeing you here at our newest Chapel Hill Tire location. 

Where to Buy Tires in Raleigh

Drive Happy - Chapel Hill Tire Mural

New and Affordable Tires in Raleigh

Are you in need of a new set of tires? The Raleigh experts of Chapel Hill Tire make buying your new tires easy and affordable. Learn more here about how our specialists can help you get the best prices on new tires in Raleigh.

Raleigh Tire Finder

Every vehicle and driver are different, which is why tires are not as one-size-fits-all as they may seem. Do you need help finding the perfect tires for your vehicle and your driving patterns? The Raleigh Tire Shopping Tool from Chapel Hill Tire can help! Simply enter basic information about your vehicle and your tire preferences and our system will show you which tires are best for your vehicle. If you are still unsure of which tires are right for you, our Raleigh tire experts can help guide you through your vehicle’s ideal tire options to find what meets your needs and your budget. 

Price Beat Guarantee

You might be wondering, “Where can I get the lowest prices on new tires in Raleigh?” Chapel Hill Tire is here for you. Thanks to our Price Beat Guarantee, we can ensure that our tire prices are the lowest in Raleigh. If you find a tire estimate that is lower than our prices, we will beat it by 10%. However, the experts at Chapel Hill Tire work to ensure that our everyday prices low, so you will not need to run around collecting estimates to feel confident in your purchase at Chapel Hill Tire. 

Tire Repair

If you are experiencing a minor issue with your tires, a full replacement may not be needed to resolve your tire troubles. Our tire experts will work with your vehicle to see if your issue can be solved with an expert tire repair instead of a replacement. The tire services and wheel services at Chapel Hill Tire include:

  • Flat Repair
  • Tire Balance
  • Tire Rotation
  • Wheel Alignment
  • Alignment Inspections
  • Wheel Straightening
  • Rim Repair

Proper tire and wheel care can help you save money on new tire replacement. If you are wondering whether or not you need tire services, visit your nearest Chapel Hill Tire location in Raleigh for an expert consultation. 

Full-Service Auto Repair

At Chapel Hill Tire in Raleigh, you can find so much more than just tires. Our automotive experts offer full-service automotive repairs. Here is what you can expect from your local Raleigh mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire:

  • Battery services
  • Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement
  • Maintenance Flushes
  • Oil Changes
  • Brake Services
  • Vehicle Diagnostics
  • Air Filter Change
  • A/C Service
  • Vehicle Inspections

If you are looking for affordable vehicle services in Raleigh, the experts at Chapel Hill Tire work to keep our prices competitive and transparent for our customers. On top of our everyday low prices, you can also find a promotion or coupon for your next vehicle service in Raleigh at Chapel Hill Tire.

Visit Chapel Hill Tire in Raleigh

The Chapel Hill Tire network has eight Triangle-area locations, two of which are conveniently located in Raleigh. You can find our Atlantic Avenue location at 2131 Harrod St. Raleigh, NC 27604, and our soon-to-open Crabtree location is in the Crabtree Valley Mall vicinity. Schedule an appointment today with our Raleigh automotive experts to get started. We look forward to serving your car and tire needs here at Chapel Hill Tire in Raleigh.

Passport Motors Joins Chapel Hill Tire

Chapel Hill Tire and Passport Motors

Passport Motors Joins Chapel Hill Tire

Two long-standing Franklin Street businesses combine to ensure continued access to high-quality car care in downtown Chapel Hill

Responding to a change in plans by his landlord, Passport Motors owner Jim Youngman closed his shop at 600 West Franklin Street back in early December. Without missing a beat, Jim and his master technician, Johnny Feathers, moved into their new location, just down the block, in the Chapel Hill Tire shop at 502 West Franklin Street.

“About a year ago,” said Youngman, “our landlord informed us that they were selling the building. We immediately started looking for a new location, and after carefully considering all of our options, we chose to join the team at Chapel Hill Tire. They’re a great company that’s been in business in Chapel Hill since 1953. There’s a reason they’ve been around so long, it’s the reason they’re growing and expanding throughout the Triangle area, and it’s the reason we’re moving in with them. They take great care of their customers, they take great care of the people who work there, and they do great work. We couldn’t be happier.”

“Passport Motors has built a well-deserved reputation as the go-to shop for owners of European cars, especially Volkswagens and Audis” said Marc Pons, president and co-owner with his brother, Britt, of Chapel Hill Tire. “So, from the moment Jim mentioned his need to find a new location, I was hoping he’d choose to come here. We are a values-driven company that is built on the idea that happy employees create happy customers. We strive for excellence, always say ‘yes’ to the customer, and always look for ways that we and our customers can win together. Jim and Johnny’s expertise, the quality of their work, and their concern for their customers make them a great fit for us.”

“Jim and Johnny will only be working at our West Franklin Street shop,” said Pons. “You can make an appointment with them at chapelhilltire.com, just specify the West Franklin Street location and tell us in the notes that you’d like to have them do your work. Or, you can just give us a call at (919) 967-7092. They’ll be here to welcome you when you drop off your car, and our free shuttle service will be here to take you where you need to go next – and pick you up when your car is ready. We look forward to being your go-to car care resource for many years to come.”