Category: Resource

One moment, you are safely driving down the road. In an instant, your car is suddenly spinning out of control or veering off the road. This is the terrifying reality for drivers experiencing a tire blowout. The local mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire are here with everything you need to know about tire blowouts. 

What is a Tire Blowout?

A tire blowout is when a tire suddenly loses pressure—making it “burst” or “explode.” This process can cause the vehicle to lose control. In many cases, the tire’s tread will detach, and the rubber will separate—leaving behind an unrecognizable tire inundated with damage. 

The Difference Between a Tire Blowout and a Flat Tire

Many drivers mistakenly refer to tire blowouts and flat tires interchangeably. Flat tires occur when the tire gradually reaches a pressure too low to drive on. However, tire blowouts happen instantly and violently—creating a far more dangerous outcome. Another key difference is that flat tires can often be repaired. Conversely, tire blowouts will always require a replacement. 

7 Causes of Tire Blowouts

So, what causes tire blowouts? Several risk factors can cause a tire blowout, including tire pressure issues, tire age, manufacturer defects, and road hazards. Understanding the cause of your tire blowout is vital. This insight can impact liability, fault, and settlements when the tire blowout leads to a car accident. Our mechanics are here to unpack some common causes of tire blowouts. 

1: Overinflated Tires

Much like an overinflated balloon, tires with too much pressure can pop. While overinflated tires are more likely to create flats, they can cause complete blowouts if put under enough stress. This is especially true when combined with other factors—like excessive heat and aged rubber. 

2: Underinflated Tire Blowouts

You might be surprised to learn that underinflated tires are more prominent blowout culprits. When your tire is underinflated, the sidewalls will bend and flex. This process exposes more surface area to the road—generating additional friction. Friction creates heat, which causes the air inside your tires to expand. Meanwhile, sidewall damage can compromise the structural integrity of the tire. Collectively, these hazards cause your tire to break down. 

3: Summer Weather and Heat

Have you ever wondered why tire blowouts are more common in the summer? You’ll find one common denominator of most tire blowout causes: heat. The hot asphalt will intensify any stressors your tire is facing. For example, the heat will cause further air expansion inside the tire and quicker rubber deterioration. 

4: Overloaded Vehicles

We think of our cars as industrial machines that can manage our cargo with ease. However, your tires can only handle a limited weight load. When you put too much pressure on your tires, they are more likely to burst. If you look in your tire information panel, it should include load information. The fine print will tell you the combined weight of passengers and cargo that your tires can safely manage. 

5: Tire Age

Did you know? Many countries have banned old tires (even when the tread is thick) after they were proven to cause car accidents. As your tire ages, the rubber oxidizes. This process will cause tread separation, sidewall deformation, and tire blistering. You can read our complete guide to tire age here. 

6: Manufacturer Defects

While rare, there is a chance you have a “lemon” tire. Manufacturer defects can be caused by expired materials, poor craftsmanship, or machinery malfunctions. 

The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association has a Tire Recall Lookup tool for drivers. Simply enter your tire’s DOT number to see if there are any known defects to your unit. In these cases, you can get your tire replaced at a local mechanic shop for free.

7: Potholes, Nails, and Other Road Hazards

Nails, screws, and other sharp objects can penetrate your rubber on the road. Most small punctures will gradually release air, leading to a flat tire. However, severe puncture wounds can cause a drastic change in air pressure, creating a tire blowout. Other road hazards, like potholes, also pose serious blowout threats. 

How to Prevent Tire Blowouts

It can be challenging to control your vehicle once it experiences a tire blowout. Thankfully, there are a few steps you can take to prevent tire blowouts altogether:

• Tire Pressure: Keep your tires inflated to the manufacturer-recommend PSI. You can easily refill your tires with air using our 5-step guide here—or have your tires filled for free at a local mechanic. We also have an easy guide to checking your tire pressure here. 
• Avoid Road Hazards: Nails most commonly get stuck in tires on the shoulder of the road. Staying on track can help you avoid these hazards. Additionally, you should avoid potholes on your commutes when possible. 
• Replace Old Tires: Even if you find thick tire tread on old tires, you should have them replaced. Internal tire damage is often the most dangerous. 
• Routine Maintenance: Your local mechanics will inspect your tires during routine maintenance visits, like oil changes. By keeping up with your recommended car care, experts can identify signs of failing tires before you experience a tire blowout. 

New Tires Near Me

You can prevent tire blowouts with the mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire. We will inspect your tires with every oil change and routine service, helping to ensure they are safe on the road. We can also fix bent rims and replace your tire after you experience a blowout. 

Chapel Hill Tire proudly serves the greater Triangle area with 10 locations across Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. You can make an appointment or give us a call to get started today! 

Potholes have seemed to become an epidemic across the nation. Drivers come in almost every day with trouble from roads. Some issues, like alignment troubles, can build over time. Other damage, like bent rims, can come on suddenly. However, potholes remain a constant nuisance. So, what causes potholes? What can you do about it? Our local mechanics are here with insight. 

What Causes Potholes?

Smooth asphalt is unlikely to face any direct impact in the middle of the street. So how do potholes form? The answer starts at the “roots” of our roads. On the surface, we see strong, industrial, unbreakable asphalt. However, deep beneath the pavement is soil ready to cause trouble. 

All potholes start with rain. Moisture can collect in the ground under the asphalt—seeping into the sand or dirt through small cracks in the road. This rain leads to three different causes of potholes:

• Water can start eroding the underlying soil, leaving patches in the road’s structural support. Then, when a heavy truck or constant traffic stresses the patch of road, it can cave in—creating a new pothole.
• We can also see tree roots and other vegetative regrowth begin seeking out the moisture collecting under the asphalt, impacting the road’s structural integrity. 
• In other cases, freezing weather can cause the water to expand. When the ice thaws, it leaves a cavity in the pavement. As traffic drives over this cavity, it will cave in—creating a new pothole. 

The Current Pothole Trends

Why are potholes everywhere? Extreme weather conditions, staffing shortages, high traffic, and supply chain issues are some of the problems contributing to the predominance of potholes on the roads today. There are five main reasons we are seeing an increase in potholes in recent years. 

1: Changes in Traffic Patterns

For a low-traffic road, asphalt can last 25 years or more. However, as home development efforts continue with intensity throughout the country, even smaller backroads are seeing more movement. Naturally, this causes more pavement wear and tear, increasing the frequency of potholes. 

2: Supply Chain Issues

In 2021, supply chain issues led to a shortage of asphalt—delaying road projects and leaving potholes unfilled. This issue caused government officials to fall behind on pothole filling. With potholes becoming more prominent while repair efforts fall behind, officials cannot seem to catch back up. 

3: Change in Weather Patterns

As mentioned above, all potholes start with rain. In North Carolina, recent years have brought some of the highest levels of heavy rain the state has ever reported. More rain naturally leads to an increase in potholes. The 2022 NC Climate Summary provided the following chart, which clearly displays record-high precipitation in the 2015-2020 bar. The charts are updated in 5-year intervals, with the next update coming in 2025. However, we have continued to see high precipitation levels across the state, and experts expect this number to continue rising.

4: Underreporting of Potholes 

As we explain below, patching a pothole starts with a report to the NCDOT. However, the predominance of potholes can create a type of bystander effect. If all drivers assume someone else has already reported a severe pothole in the area, you might find that nobody ever actually reports it. In other cases, many drivers can fall into a negative mindset that leads to underreporting. You might think, “It is useless—there are too many potholes to report.” When drivers accept the fate of a bumpy commute, roads are less likely to get the help they need. 

5: Pavement Life Cycles

Healthy pavement can last 25+ years without issue. However, all of the above concerns will shorten the asphalt lifespan. Additionally, we encourage you to look up when the state built pothole-covered roads in your area. You are likely to find that they are naturally reaching the end of their lifespan. 

The Dangers of Potholes on the Road

Whether they make you spill your coffee or wake the baby sleeping in the backseat—we have all been inconvenienced by potholes on the road. However, beyond just personal inconveniences, potholes can cause costly vehicle damage, including:

• Bent rims
• Scratched rims
• Leaking fluid
• Alignment troubles
• Tread separation
• Tire flats or blowouts
• Tire bubbling
• Sidewall damage
• Punctures in tires
• Shock or suspension issues
• Uneven tread wear

How to Tell If Your Car Has Pothole Damage

After driving over a huge pothole, have you ever noticed your car immediately fall silent? Perhaps this is our way of instinctually listening for an issue. Here is a look at the signs your vehicle experienced pothole damage:

• Feel it out: If your tire experiences a blowout, the damage will be immediate and noticeable. However, pothole damage often comes in more subtle internal signs. For example, steering wheel shaking can signify pothole damage with your alignment or suspension system. 
• Visual inspection: Take a look at your tires and the bottom of your car after hitting a pothole. Do you see any signs of an issue? Some problems, like tire bubbling, will be obvious. 
• Visit a mechanic: The safest option is to have a professional take a look at your vehicle. Experts can diagnose potential issues. They can also advise whether or not you have a possible case for apparent pothole damage. 

Should I Fill In My Local Potholes?

In recent news, former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger took matters into his own hands: filling a pothole near his home. While drivers might rejoice in this decision, it can actually have serious consequences:

• Potential Dangers: Road work can be dangerous. The government can shut down lanes and re-route drivers to maintain safe transportation during road repairs. Without the right precautions, you could create car accidents or risk personal injury trying to repair a road yourself. 
• Delaying Real Repairs: It can be hard to fill a pothole to professional standards. Sometimes, your DIY solutions could delay long-lasting professional repairs—as experts will need to undo your work before starting. In other cases, you might actually make the pothole worse by trapping moisture under the asphalt. This water will expand during the following winter freeze, bringing the pothole back larger than before.
• Personal Liability: You may be personally liable if an imperfect pothole fix causes any trouble. For example, underfilling a pothole could allow surface-level water collection while preventing the water from seeping through the cracks and into the ground. This change in your road’s structure could increase the risk of hydroplaning and car accidents. 
• Mistaken Potholes: Or, as in the case of Arnold Schwarzenegger, the pothole may not be a pothole at all. The former governor actually filled in a service trench required to complete vital gas line repairs. 

No news yet on whether or not Arnold Schwarzenegger had to pay to have the service trench dug again. However, the reward is not worth the risk of filling potholes yourself. 

What Can You Do About Potholes?

While you can’t fill a pothole in yourself, there are some steps you can take to keep your car protected:

• Always report potholes on the road to your local authorities. 
• Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Low tire pressure will leave you more prone to rim damage from potholes, while overinflated tires make it likely you will experience a tire blowout. 
• Drive slowly over known potholes. 
• While it might go without saying, avoid these hazards on the road when you can. For example, if you know the highway’s right lane has a severe pothole, remind yourself to drive in the left lane until the coast is clear. 
• Consider finding an alternative route to your destination for severe and unavoidable potholes until the repairs are completed. 
• Make sure you are keeping up with regular maintenance and vehicle inspections. If you are hitting frequent potholes, you should get your alignment checked for free at a local mechanic. This inspection can prevent more extensive damage from spreading, like uneven tire wear. Regular maintenance can also help you affirm to government officials or your insurance company that the damage was, in fact, caused by potholes. So, let’s take a closer look at how you can get repayment for pothole service repairs. 

How to Save Money on Pothole Repairs

Before you delay getting significant repairs caused by pothole damage, you should know these repairs may be covered for free. However, before we dive in, it is worth noting that you should visit a mechanic as soon as you experience pothole damage.

• Immediate action will help keep your claim valid. If you file a property damage claim to the government after the pothole has been filled, it is more likely that your claim will be denied—even if you otherwise qualify for compensation. 
• If you continue driving on a damaged tire, for example, it could create even more vehicle damage that will not be covered. 
• In some cases, you might need a mechanic to attest that the damage to your vehicle was consistent with pothole damage. Additionally, you might need to have paid the costs to verify the final total for a claim. 

Will Insurance Cover Pothole Problems?

Yes, some car insurance policies—like collision insurance—will cover pothole damage. In these cases, you would simply need to pay your deductible. It is worth checking with your insurance agent to see if your vehicle can be repaired for free. 

Will the Government Cover Pothole Damage?

In some cases, your pothole damage may be covered by your local government. There are three noteworthy considerations here:

• First, is the road state-maintained? A majority of roads are owned and maintained by the government. However, subdivisions and residential streets are often privately owned. For example, your home’s road might belong to the community and receive maintenance under the HOA. 
• Second, was the pothole reported to the local government? NC drivers can click here to report a pothole. Claims are only valid if this was a known, reported pothole. 
• Finally, how long ago was the report filed? The government requires a reasonable amount of time to respond to pothole reports before they can be held accountable. 

If a pothole was reported without reasonable action from the government, officials might take responsibility for the damage it caused. North Carolina drivers can click here to file a property damage claim to the NCDOT. 

Pothole Damage Repairs at Chapel Hill Tire

If a pothole has damaged your car or tire, visit our local mechanics. We will diagnose any issues and complete the repairs your vehicle needs. Our tire specialists can also help provide the verification you may need to validate your claim for coverage. 

We proudly serve the greater Triangle area with our 10 locations across Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. Our expert mechanics also commonly serve surrounding communities, including Knightdale, Pittsboro, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Morrisville, and beyond. We invite you to make an appointment or give us a call to get started today! 

Your car battery is essential in getting you where you need to go. Specifically, your battery often needs 12 volts of power to start your vehicle. Our local mechanics are here with a closer look at car battery voltage.  

12-Volt DC Battery: The Car Standard

“How many volts are in a car battery?” Most vehicles on the road are powered by a 12-volt DC battery. Even hybrid and electric cars have 12-volt batteries working alongside their high-power battery packs. 

While your alternator takes over the electrical functions of your car while you are driving, this battery plays several vital roles in the driving process:

• Starting: Before your alternator can kick in, your 12V car battery is responsible for starting your car and powering all functions.
• Unlocking: When you click the fob to unlock your car automatically, it uses power from your battery to signal and turn the locks. (Hint: If your car battery dies and your vehicle will not unlock, most fobs have a hidden key for manual unlocking). 
• Keeping the Lights On: After you turn off your engine, your battery will keep the lights on and allow other functions to continue—like the radio and device charging.

A Closer Look: How Many Volts in a Car Battery

While they are called “12-volt batteries,” this is simply the nominal voltage rating. In other words, 12 volts is the energy output car batteries should provide in normal circumstances. 

The actual voltage supply can vary slightly depending on the battery’s composition, age, testing circumstances, and charge. Let’s take a look at some examples:

• If you test your car battery while it is actively running, a healthy unit will read between 13 volts and 15 volts.
• If your battery is fully charged after a long drive, the voltage output might read as ~12.4 volts – 12.9 volts.
• Meanwhile, an older battery low on charge after a cold winter night might read as 12 volts or lower. 

Why does voltage matter? It is always better to replace your battery at the first signs of failure—rather than wait until you are stranded on the go. Keeping an eye on your battery output can help. This reading can also signal whether your battery is declining early. In these cases, you can take measures to further protect your battery and prolong its lifespan.

You can easily have your car battery tested and serviced by a professional mechanic. However, most vehicles require the full 12-volt output to start. If you don’t have the juice you need to make it to a local shop, here are some resources that can help:

• An 8-step guide to jump-starting your car battery
• How to jump a hybrid car battery
• 5 dead battery tips and tricks to keep you moving
• Is jumping a dead car battery safe?

Low Voltage Output: Causes and Solutions

What Causes Car Battery Failure?

On average, most car batteries last 4-7 years, depending on how well you care for them. Generally, if your car battery is supplying low voltage, it is experiencing routine failure. However, there are a few other potential causes of low voltage, including:

• A failing alternator: Your alternator recharges your battery as you drive. Without proper alternator functioning, your car battery will quickly die. 
• Corrosion: Any corrosion on your car battery can interrupt its charging and power transfer. 
• Electrical issue: Rather than low output, there could be an issue with the electrical connection in your engine. 
• Starter Issue: If your car doesn’t have the power it needs to turn over, there could be an issue with any component in your starting system. 

Solutions for Your Car Battery

While it might be too late for your current car battery, there are a few potential solutions that can help preserve your new 12-volt DC battery:

• Regular driving: Your alternator recharges your car battery as you drive. Avoiding long periods of dormancy can help keep your battery healthy and charged.
• Avoid extreme temperatures: The summer’s heat can destroy your car battery from the inside out—causing irreversible damage. Meanwhile, cold temperatures slow down the electrochemical process that generates your battery’s power. 
• Keep away corrosion: You can have corroded battery terminal ends replaced by a professional mechanic to extend the lifespan of your battery. 
• Avoid lingering electronics: When your engine is turned off, all of your car’s functions (like the lights, phone charging, and radio) will depend solely on your 12-volt battery—draining away its charge. Be sure to turn off all lights and unplug your devices after switching your engine off. 
• Maintain routine vehicle maintenance: In some cases, regular engine maintenance can help keep your battery protected. For example, during the colder months, slow-moving engine oil can force your vehicle to work harder to start. Naturally, this requires an extra boost of energy from your battery. Fresh engine oil helps alleviate this stress on your battery and engine. 

Car Battery Replacement Near Me at Chapel Hill Tire

If you need your car battery serviced, tested, or replaced, the local mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire have you covered! We proudly serve the greater Triangle area with 10 locations across Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. Our professional mechanics also commonly serve surrounding communities, including Knightdale, Pittsboro, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Morrisville, and beyond. We invite you to make an appointment or give us a call to get started today!

Hearing that your transmission failed can feel like a nail in the coffin for your vehicle. So, should you have your transmission replaced? Or should you buy a new car? The answer here is more complicated than it might seem. Our local mechanics are here with some factors you should consider. 

Why Are Transmission Issues So Expensive?

When caught early, a mechanic can affordably repair some surface-level transmission issues. For example, replacing a faulty solenoid, seal, gasket, or shifter cable is often relatively straightforward and affordable. However, most transmission failures are often more severe and expensive for a few important reasons:

• Complex repairs for simple issues: Transmissions contain complex mechanical components carefully assembled and calibrated to your vehicle. As such, a simple interior issue can require highly complex service. For example, your gears can quickly become worn or damaged without fresh transmission fluid. Unlike exterior components (like the solenoid or shifter cable), transmission gears are on shafts inside the transmission. So while gear replacement might sound easy, it requires a mechanic to completely remove, disassemble, repair, and reassemble your transmission. 
• Challenging Detection: As mentioned above, you are more likely to access affordable repairs when you catch a transmission issue early. However, transmission issues are notoriously difficult for drivers to detect. Why? Many transmission issues do not display noticeable symptoms until they become extensive problems. 
• The Domino Effect: Your transmission is a network of parts and systems that all work together. One minor issue can create a domino effect—quickly causing total system failure. 

Keeping up with simple maintenance services, like transmission fluid replacement, can help prevent these issues and catch problems early. 

Extensive transmission repair can often cost as much as a new installation. So drivers are often left with two options: replacing the transmission or buying a new car. Which is right for you? Let’s take a closer look. 

1: Insurance or Warranty: Transmission Replacement

If your transmission replacement is free, you should take full advantage of this option. Even if you plan on buying a new car anyways, a transmission replacement will help you get a much better resale value. 

Drivers might find free transmission replacement from a manufacturer’s warranty or your insurance coverage. Generally speaking, your warranty might cover internal transmission failure, while insurance may cover transmission issues caused by an outside source. 

Warranties: Does my Warranty Cover Transmission Replacement?

Transmission repairs and replacements are covered under the drivetrain or powertrain warranty provided by most manufacturers. Some powertrain warranties cover up to 10 years or 100,000 miles. 

However, there are a few caveats to this solution drivers should keep in mind: 

• Your warranty can be void if you do not keep up with your routine maintenance—like transmission fluid replacement. 
• In some cases, certain warranty limitations may apply if you are not the vehicle’s original owner.
• Your warranty may be void if you use your vehicle for work—such as with a delivery or a driving service like Amazon, Uber, or Lyft. 
• The manufacturer may ask for proof that the damage was caused by an issue with the materials or assembly. 

Insurance: Does my Insurance Cover Transmission Replacement?

Generally speaking, insurance does not cover transmission failure from an internal part or component. But issues caused by an outside source may fall under your insurance coverage, including transmission damage from:

• A car accident
• Inclement weather (like a tornado, hurricane, or flood)
• Hitting a road hazard (including debris or an animal)
• Theft or vandalism

Of course, this will depend on your insurance policy, coverage, the exact cause and nature of the damage, and the assessment done by your insurance company. It is worth a call to your insurance agent to see if they can help.  

2: Classic Car: Transmission Replacement

Work you do to fix up a classic car—from a new transmission to an EV conversion—is often well worth the investment. While you are unlikely to find a classic transmission, updating with newer parts will keep the vehicle drivable. 

Many drivers also find it worthwhile to fix up cars with sentimental value. A car that once belonged to a loved one can feel priceless to maintain. 

3: Failing or Older Vehicles: Buy a New Car

Not all older vehicles are created equally. Failing vehicles are likely to require repair after repair. You might pay thousands to replace the transmission—only to find the engine fails next week. Even with frequent smaller issues, the cost of ongoing repair services can add up quickly—making a new car well worth the extra investment. 

4: Vehicles in Otherwise Good Shape: Transmission Replacement

As mentioned above, a newer car is likely to have transmission service covered under the powertrain warranty. However, even if the warranty is void, it is still worth your money to consider transmission service. In these cases, your trade-in devaluation of a failed transmission will often cost far more than the transmission replacement. 

For example, let’s say your new transmission will cost close to $7,000. When you trade your vehicle in, dealers might take $10,000 off your resale value. 

Cars with significant issues give the dealership the upper hand. They know you need a new car and are often eager to use this leverage to charge you more. In this case, having your transmission replaced before buying a new car will save you $3,000. 

Here is a way to test whether this option is right for you. First, speak with a local mechanic to estimate your new transmission cost. Then, call a few local dealerships and ask for a free car trade-in appraisal—with and without a failed transmission. 

5: Your Financial Best Interests

Replacing a transmission can cost anywhere from $2,900 – $7,100 (according to data from KBB). This cost will depend on a variety of factors, including your vehicle’s make, model, and the type of transmission it requires. 

Transmission replacement is one of the most expensive services a vehicle can encounter. Because of the high costs, many drivers wonder, “Is paying for a transmission replacement worth it?” 

Even at $5,000+, a new transmission can be more affordable than trading in your vehicle and buying a new car, making this the most financially accessible solution for many drivers. However, there are a few additional considerations here:

The truth is, you know your financial situation best. A mechanic can help you understand transmission replacement costs so you can make the right decision for you. 

Local Transmission Service in Durham, Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Carrboro, and Chapel Hill

The professionals at Chapel Hill Tire are here to help you get the transmission service you need. We will help you understand the costs, timeline, and options so that you can make the best decision for you. If you decide to have your transmission replaced by our local mechanics, we offer free loaner vehicles for extended services to help keep you on the go. 

Chapel Hill Tire proudly serves the Triangle with 10 locations across Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. Our mechanics also commonly serve nearby drivers, including Knightdale, Pittsboro, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Morrisville, and beyond. We invite you to make an appointment or give us a call to get started today! 

Your tires are essential to your vehicle’s safety and performance on the road. One of the lesser-known implications of low tire tread depth is braking inefficiencies. With this, there is one key understanding for driver safety: the lower your tire tread, the more distance your car will need to stop.

So, when a fender bender or a car accident happens, many drivers blame their brakes. However, we recommend taking a look at your tires. The local mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire are here with insight.

How Do Brakes Work?

To understand the effects of low tire tread on braking distance, it is essential to understand how brakes work. When you press your foot against the brake pedal, you set an entire system into motion:

• Using powerful hydraulics (provided by brake fluid), your brake pads press against your metal rotor—which is connected to your tires. 
• As the rotor slows, your tires will also start to slow down. 
• With help from the rotors, your tires use friction against the road to stop your car. 

This system depends on a variety of healthy vehicle parts, including your braking fluid, brake pads, rotors, and tires. However, tires are often overlooked as a braking component—despite the essential role they play in this process. 

Factors that Impact Braking Distance

How long does it take your car to fully stop your vehicle on the road? We all know that NC law (Statute Section 20-152) requires you to keep a full vehicle distance between you and the car in front of you. However, many cars need more time than that to stop. Some factors that impact your stopping time/distance include:

• How fast your car is going
• Your brake pad and rotor conditions
• The kind of tires you have
• Your reaction time to the need for braking
• Whether the road is flat or inclined
• How old and oxidized your tires are
• Your brake fluid level and quality
• How inflated your tires are
• Tire brand and quality
• Whether the road is wet or dry (and how heavy or long it has been raining)
• And (as you might have guessed) your tire tread depth
• The amount of force you apply to your brake pedal

Let’s take a closer look at how tire tread depth impacts braking performance. 

The Impacts of Tread Depth on Braking Distance

The legal limit of tire tread depth is 2/32 of an inch, which drivers can check with their tread wear indicator bars or a manual tread inspection. Meanwhile, new tires often come with 10/32 to 11/32 inches of tread depth. While all tires within this tread depth range are legal, the braking performance ranges drastically.

So while 2/32 inches of tread depth might be legal, it can take your car roughly the length of a professional football field to stop—making it hard to prevent accidents. 

This data comes from Hunter Engineering Company—who’s advanced equipment our mechanics trust and use daily. In the collection of this data, the road conditions are wet and flat. The professional driver is going 60 miles per hour.

Find New Tires Near Me at Chapel Hill Tire

Your car safety is our priority here at Chapel Hill Tire. Whether you need new tires, a tire inspection, a patching service, a vehicle safety inspection, new brake pads, or any other car service, our mechanics are here for you. 

We proudly serve the greater Triangle area with 10 locations across Durham, Cary, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Apex. Our local mechanics invite you to make an appointment or give us a call to get started today!

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to become more prevalent, it is vital to truly understand its impact on our lives. From automated car washes to self-driving cars—we are discovering the best and worst possibilities AI has to offer almost every day. 

So, how do these advancements impact you and your service? Our local mechanics are here to unpack how AI is affecting car care. 

The Benefits of AI on Car Care

Automotive AI technology is designed to improve vehicle safety and promote driver convenience. Several of these safety features can also protect your vehicle from damage:

• Automatic tire inflation features can sense when you have low tire pressure and inflate them to the correct PSI. 
• Any active safety features that prevent accidents can protect your car from a variety of potential damages. 
• New AI predictive maintenance systems can detect issues arising in your vehicle. Beyond simply telling drivers when they are due for routine service, this technology can detect problems currently developing in the car. Predictive maintenance alerts help drivers get the preventative service they need before an issue turns into costly damage. 
• AI driver monitoring systems can detect when a driver is distracted or drowsy and help the driver stay alert. 

AI also has the potential to improve vehicle production. Not only can AI make vehicles more affordable, but it can also catch recall issues and hazards before they hit the road. 

Potentially Increased Wear and Tear

As mentioned above, AI technology is designed to improve the driving experience for safety and convenience. Unfortunately, while these features can protect your car from damage, they also have the potential to cause unintentional wear and tear. 

For example, lane assistance is one of the many popular safety features powered by AI. As the name suggests, this technology guides your car to the center of the lane whenever it senses you veering on the road. 

In addition to enhanced safety, this feature has the potential to cause extra tire wear. Let’s say you attempt to drive around a pothole on the road. You may find your lane assistance trying to pull your tires back to the center. This extra back-and-forth on the pavement is harmful to tire tread. If you do not have a firm grip on the steering wheel, lane assist technology might even successfully veer your car into the hazard you hoped to avoid. 

Similarly, if AI in your car detects a potential collision, active safety features might apply your brakes for you. However, if the sensor is picking up on a “false positive” signal (meaning collision is not actually a threat), it could engage harsh braking for no reason. This error can cause premature wear on your brake pads, warped calipers, or even risk a rear-end collision.

Sensors and Hardware Maintenance

As with any modern technology, automotive AI software is only as capable as your vehicle’s hardware. The hardware, in this case, includes the most foundational components of the car itself—such as the engine and tires.

While it might sound obvious that your vehicle needs to be in good working order to drive, your AI features might not have the same awareness or discretion as you. For example, does a self-driving car sense when your tire is flat and know to pull over? If not, it can lead to major rim damage or accidents on the road. 

As this technology continues to evolve, it is essential to keep your vehicle up-to-date on all of its maintenance needs. 

Car Care Communication and Misinformation

As search engines and other online resources turn to artificial intelligence to automate their content, mechanics are carrying the weight of AI’s limitations. Not only can AI content present bias and bigotry, but it can also be incredibly inaccurate. Misinformation can leave drivers seeking car care solutions astray.

For drivers who turn to DIY solutions or guidance online, this can cause some trouble. Now more than ever, it is essential to trust the experts. 

Trusted Car Care at Chapel Hill Tire

The ASE-certified mechanics at Chapel Hill Tire do not cut any corners. We stay up-to-date on all of the latest car care needs to best serve our community. 

Our experts proudly serve the greater Triangle area with 10 locations across Cary, Apex, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Durham. Our professional mechanics also commonly serve surrounding communities, including Knightdale, Pittsboro, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Morrisville, and more. You can make an online appointment or give us a call to get started today!

While automatic car washes can seem fun and harmless, as the saying goes: you get what you pay for. Unfortunately, this saying is especially true in the world of car washing services. In fact, automatic car wash machines can do more harm than good for your vehicle—potentially causing thousands of dollars in damage. 

Our local mechanics are unpacking at nine reasons you should avoid automatic car washes. 

1: Car Paint Scratches and Damage

While your car might look clean, walking away from an automatic car wash, you cannot see all the micro-abrasions covering the surface. The recycled water, dirty bristles, and harsh mechanics of these washes result in abrasive substances thrown toward your vehicle at high speeds. 

In the worst cases, you can find visible scratches to your paint job on the other side of the car wash. However, these scrapes more often come as minor dents to your protective clear coat. Because they are not usually visible to the naked eye, drivers are unaware of the damage car wash machines can do. 

Without a solid clear coat, your paint will rust, chip, and corrode—causing thousands of dollars in damage. 

2: Alignment Troubles

Driving onto a car wash conveyor belt is not an exact science. If your vehicle is misaligned on the conveyor belts of automatic car washes, they can pull your tires and steering system out of alignment. In addition, if the conveyor belts themselves are misaligned or moving at slightly different speeds, you are more likely to encounter trouble.

3: Broken or Damaged Rearview Mirrors

Many car wash machines have industrial moving parts designed to embrace vehicles of every size and shape. Unfortunately, this can spell trouble for your side mirrors. Unlike the smooth surface of your car’s exterior, your mirrors stick out into the harsh trajectory of these mechanical arms. If your vehicle is off-center or your mirrors are loose, you might drive out of the car wash without them. 

4: Hard Water Stains and Paint Damage

Automatic car washes do not dry your car properly, which can leave hard water stains covering the surface of your vehicle. So, what are hard water stains? Water can quickly evaporate after your car wash, leaving calcium and magnesium carbonates behind. 

Worse even, automatic car washes often recycle water—meaning dirt and salts from other vehicles can also be mixed into the water. Collectively, these materials can be corrosive to your clear coat and your paint. If not removed promptly, they can cause permanent damage to your car. 

Additionally, they leave your freshly “cleaned” car looking dirty. During a professional car wash and detail, a professional will use clean water before drying your vehicle by hand. 

5: Bent or Broken Windshield Wipers

Much like your rearview mirrors, windshield wipers can be prone to damage in automatic car washes. While they might not stick out as far as your mirrors, these components are thinner and more vulnerable. Almost any exterior surface of your vehicle can be put at risk by automatic car washes. From broken tire pressure sensors to valve stem damage and antenna issues—we have heard it all. 

A hand car wash is the only way to ensure your vehicle will be cleaned safely and effectively. 

6: Rim Damage from Car Washes

There are several different types of automatic car wash conveyor belts. Some of these systems work like a grocery store conveyor belt or an airport moving sidewalk—allowing your car to ride through. Meanwhile, others work by grabbing your tire to guide your vehicle forward. Unless you have rim guards, this can create a metal-on-metal connection—quickly causing rim damage. 

7: Windshield Damage and Cracking

Unless there is a system malfunction, an automatic car wash is not likely to create a new crack in your car’s windshield. However, these machines can severely worsen existing damage. While you might think, “That doesn’t apply to me—my windshield isn’t cracked!” It might be more of a threat than you think. Small windshield knicks you might not even notice on your vehicle can turn into full-blown cracks inside an automatic car wash. 

If you already have a noticeable crack, automatic car washes threaten to make it worse with the pressure of mechanical arms. 

8: Interior Considerations

Automatic car washes only get half of the job done. While you might be more concerned about getting dirt or pollen off your paint job, interior consideration is vital to preserving the value of your car. Abrasive dirt, sand, crumbs, and debris can dig into your fabric or leather upholstery. Professional car wash and detailing services will polish both the interior and exterior of your vehicle. 

9: Ineffective Car Cleaning

What is the point of paying for a car wash if it does not actually clean your car? In some cases, the dirty bristles and recycled water of automatic car washes can actually make your car dirtier. The hard-to-reach areas of your vehicle will be untouched—and these surfaces often need the most attention. On the other hand, professional car washing and detailing can leave your vehicle shining—inside and out. 

Mobile Car Wash and Detailing at Chapel Hill Tire

You can skip the automatic car washes—and the damage they provide—with a professional car wash and detailing service at Chapel Hill Tire.

At Chapel Hill Tire, you’ll receive far better than a traditional automatic car wash with our highest-quality detailing services. Sign up for an appointment at any of our Triangle-area locations. If you don’t have time to drop your car by, we will come to you. Our mobile car wash and detailing services are available on the Chapel Hill Tire Google/Andriod and Apple apps. We invite you to make an appointment or give us a call to get started today!