Category: Resource

Have you ever experienced the unsettling feeling of your steering wheel moving on its own? Perhaps it is vibrating, shaking, or pulling on the road? Unless you have a new “self-driving” car, steering wheel movement is often the sign of an issue with your vehicle—often relating to your tires or brakes. Ignoring steering wheel vibrations can allow these underlying issues to grow into larger problems for your car. So why is your steering wheel shaking? The experts at Chapel Hill Tire are here with 5 potential causes and their solutions. 

Shaking Steering Wheel Problem 1: Warped Brake Rotors

Have you noticed your steering wheel shaking when you slow or stop your vehicle? This could be a sign of warped brake rotors. Your brake rotors are the smooth, flat surface that your brake pads press against to slow or stop your movement. The friction between the brake pads and brake rotors generates heat, which makes the metal of your rotors malleable. Over time, this pressure can bend your rotors—especially without maintaining proper brake pad replacements. 

When your rotors become bent, the brake pads will press against an uneven surface when braking, which creates steering wheel shaking. Thankfully, this can be fixed with a set of brake rotor replacements. If you catch this issue early enough, your mechanic may even be able to resurface your rotors to make them smooth and even again. However, if you are already noticing symptoms of bending—such as the steering wheel shaking—this repair is unlikely.

Shaking Steering Wheel Problem 2: Tire Alignment Troubles

Your vehicle’s suspension system is designed to align your tires, helping them evenly meet the road’s pavement. Over time, road turbulence, rough driving, and other hazards can throw off this alignment—causing one or more of your wheels to rest at a skewed angle. Even slight alignment issues can cause steering wheel shaking or vibrations. 

In addition to steering wheel shaking, wheel alignment troubles can cause uneven and accelerated wear on your tires. A quick wheel alignment service can address this issue and its symptoms. If you are unsure whether or not you need an alignment service, bring your vehicle in for a free alignment inspection.

Shaking Steering Wheel Problem 3: Tire Balancing Troubles

All four of your tires are meant to rotate at the same speed, which is made possible by keeping them in balance. However, tires become unbalanced with seasonal changes, rough driving patterns, poor road conditions, inflation differences, and more. Unbalanced tires can impact your suspension and axle, which leads to steering wheel vibrations. This issue can be repaired (or prevented) with a routine tire balancing service. On average, your tires should be balanced every 10,000-12,000 miles.

Shaking Steering Wheel Problem 4: Sticking Brake Caliper

One unusual cause of steering wheel shaking is stuck brake calipers. Your brake calipers hold your brake pads, lowering them each time you slow or stop your vehicle. While it is uncommon, brake calipers can become seized (also called “sticky” or “stuck”). Seized brake calipers can cause handling trouble—often with steering wheel shaking or pulling. Unlike warped rotors, you will notice this issue when you drive rather than when you brake. 

What is a stuck brake caliper? As the name suggests, this is when your caliper becomes “stuck” to your rotor. Instead of lifting when you take your foot off the brake, your brake will stay brushed up against your rotor—almost as if you have your brake slightly pressed while you drive. Naturally, driving with stuck calipers can be challenging—not to mention bad for your vehicle’s engine, braking system, fuel economy, tires, and more. 

Sticking brake calipers are commonly caused by worn hoses, debris buildup, and DIY brake installation, among other potential sources. If you suspect you have a stuck brake caliper, bring your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible.

Shaking Steering Wheel Problem 5: Suspension Issues

Your vehicle’s suspension is a network of systems connecting your car to its tires—including shock absorbers, coils/springs, joints, bushings, and more. Any one of these components can encounter an issue that throws off your vehicle’s handling. As you might have guessed, issues with your suspension can create steering wheel shaking. 

If you have ruled out all other potential sources of steering wheel vibrations, it is likely sourced from suspension troubles. Determining the exact nature of this issue will likely require an inspection from a professional mechanic.  

Chapel Hill Tire: Vehicle Service Near Me

When you find that your steering wheel is shaking, the experts at Chapel Hill Tire are here to help. We proudly serve drivers throughout the Triangle area with our mechanics in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Cary, and Apex. Chapel Hill Tire also commonly serves drivers from surrounding areas, including Knightdale, Clayton, Pittsboro, Garner, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Morrisville, and beyond. If you don’t feel comfortable driving with a shaking steering wheel, our mechanics will come to you! We offer pick-up and delivery mechanic services for our customers. You can make your appointment online or give your nearest location a call to get started today!

Oil changes are a necessary part of ongoing vehicle maintenance. However, does it feel like your vehicle is always telling you that you need another oil change? While you may be tempted to attribute this to a faulty sensor and ignore your dashboard light, it could be a sign of a serious, yet easy-to-fix, engine issue. Learn more here from the technicians at Chapel Hill Tire. 

Why Does My Oil Change Light Keep Coming On?

Most vehicles require an oil change every 3,000 miles or 6 months (whichever comes first). There are a few potential sources of oil depletion, but one primary culprit is dirty piston rings. To understand this issue, let’s take a baseline look at how your engine work: 

• The combustion chamber is where your fuel mixes with your vehicle’s air pressure and electricity to power your engine. 
• Piston rings are designed to seal your engine’s combustion chamber. However, when your piston rings are dirty, they become loose and ultimately break this seal. 
• Oil continuously circulates the combustion chamber and can infiltrate this system through loose piston rings. This rapidly burns up and depletes your engine oil.

How Does This Impact Vehicle Performance?

When your piston rings become dirty, blocked, or ineffective, they fail to seal and protect your combustion chamber. This has several combined effects on your engine performance:

• Lower Combustion Pressure—Your engine relies on carefully distributed hydraulic pressure to circulate oil, fuel, air, and other engine fluids. The combustion process also requires careful air pressure. Loose piston rings can lower the internal pressure of your combustion chamber, inhibiting this essential process.
• Oil Contamination—As your oil passes over dirty piston rings, it will become contaminated with its dirt and soot. This negatively changes the composition of your engine oil.
• Oil Oxidation—The combustion process is created through a mixture of air and fuel. When your oil mixes with the combustion air released through loose piston rings, it can become thickened and oxidized.
• Oil Combustion—Loose piston rings also let engine oil into the combustion chamber and out through your exhaust. Without the oil your engine needs to function properly, your engine performance will take a hit. 

So How Do You Stop Excessive Oil Consumption?

The key to stopping oil burning is addressing dirty piston rings. While piston rings can be costly to replace, they are fairly simple to clean. This is done through engine performance restoration (EPR) service. EPR clears your piston rings and hydraulic passageways of the dirt, debris, and build up causing your oil leak. This can stop your excessive oil consumption, improve your vehicle’s performance, save you money on fuel, oil, and subsequent repairs, and improve your energy efficiency. You can read our full guide to engine performance restoration here.

Other Signs of Loose Piston Rings

If your engine oil is rapidly depleting, you could also have an oil leak or another vehicle issue. So how do you know if your piston rings are compromised? Here are some additional signs of dirty piston rings: 

• Loss of vehicle power: The poor combustion pressure causes a noticeable loss in vehicle power and performance. 
• Thick exhaust: The oil burning in your combustion process will cause thick exhaust clouds—often with distinctly gray, white, or blue hues.
• Poor acceleration: The loss of pressure in your engine will also mean that your vehicle will have a hard time accelerating.

If you are still unsure about whether or not you have piston ring troubles, bring your vehicle to a professional mechanic for in-depth vehicle diagnostics. Once an expert has identified the source of your car troubles, they can work with you to design and implement a repair plan.

Chapel Hill Tire: Car Care Near Me

When you are due for an engine performance restoration—or any other maintenance flush—visit the experts at Chapel Hill Tire. We offer transparent pricing, coupons, deals, discounts, and promotions to make your local car services as affordable as possible. Chapel Hill Tire also supports our community with convenience services, including vehicle pick-up/delivery, curbside service, text updates, shuttle service, pay-by-text, and other customer-centric services supported by our values. You can make your appointment here online to get started! You can also call one of our nine Triangle area locations throughout Raleigh, Durham, Apex, Carrboro, and Chapel Hill to learn more today!

During the colder months, more and more drivers find themselves facing a vehicle that simply will not start. Is the cold weather to blame? The answer is more complicated than it may seem—especially for drivers in the south. Learn more about cold weather’s impact on your car battery here. 

How Cold Weather Impacts Car Batteries

So does cold weather kill your car battery? Yes and no. Cold temperatures put severe stress on your battery, which is why the winter season is often a catalyst for car battery replacements. The cold weather has your vehicle facing two challenges at once: power loss with slow chemical reactions and oil/engine troubles.

Power Loss and Slow Chemical Reactions

Freezing weather drains your battery power by 30-60%. Your battery naturally recharges as you drive—but you must first face the challenge of getting it started. Why does the cold drain battery power?

Most batteries work through an electrochemical reaction, which sends power signals to your terminal ends. This chemical reaction slows down in colder weather, weakening your battery’s power. 

Oil and Engine Troubles

In the colder weather, your vehicle’s oil becomes much thicker. Low temperatures also strain internal components, like the radiator, belts, and hoses. Collectively, this slows down your engine—causing it to need an extra surge of power to start. Combined with the fact that your battery has less power to offer, this can prevent your engine from turning over. 

The Secret to Dead Car Batteries in the Winter

You might find yourself thinking, “It is not too cold—why is my battery dying?” This is a common issue for drivers in the south. The freezing winter temperature does put stress on your battery, but this is not often what kills your battery. Ultimately, the true killer of car batteries is the summer’s heat. It causes internal battery corrosion and evaporates the electrolytes that your battery relies on.

Summer damage then leaves your battery unable to fight off the stress of cold weather. For drivers in the south, this means that your car battery faces extensive summer deterioration. Then, when the weather becomes cold, your battery does not have the structural integrity to manage the added seasonal challenges. If you need help getting to the mechanic for a battery replacement, here is our guide to helping your vehicle start when it is struggling in the cold.

Tips for Protecting Your Car in the Winter

Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to combat winter battery troubles. Here are some tips on protecting your battery from the impacts of cold weather. 

• Address corrosion: Corrosion on your battery can drain its charge. It can also inhibit the electrical conduction that is responsible for starting your vehicle. If your vehicle is having a hard time starting, corrosion may be the source of these issues—not necessarily your battery. That is, you may be able to extend your battery lifespan by having a technician clean or replace your corroded terminal ends. 
• Oil changes: It bears repeating that your engine oil plays a key role in keeping your battery and engine protected. Make sure that you keep up with your oil change schedule—especially in the winter months.
• Summer car care: We cannot emphasize this enough. The summer heat here in the south destroys car batteries from the inside out, leading to immediate failure or failure in the winter season. It is necessary to protect your car battery from the summer heat and bring it in for your regularly-scheduled maintenance visits.
• Park your car in your garage: When possible, parking in a garage can help keep your vehicle and your battery protected from the effects of cold weather.
• Cover your car overnight: Vehicle covers may be also able to help you lock in some of the heat and protect your vehicle from ice. 
• Minimize battery usage: Make sure to turn off your car lights when not in use and unplug any chargers to minimize your battery depletion. 
• Give your battery time to recharge: Your alternator recharges your battery as you drive. Short drives and drives with frequent stopping/starting do not give your battery much time or support to recharge. Taking your car for a longer drive every once in a while may help boost your battery. Here are some tips on driving in wintery weather.

Chapel Hill Tire Battery Services

Whether you need new terminal ends, corrosion cleaning, a car battery replacement, or an oil change, Chapel Hill Tire is here to help. We have 11 Triangle-area locations across Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Apex, Cary, and Carrboro. Chapel Hill Tire proudly offers transparent pricing on our services page and coupons to make our vehicle services as affordable as possible for drivers. You can make your appointment here online or give us a call to get started today!

As local tire professionals, the experts at Chapel Hill Tire are familiar with the challenges that many mechanics and drivers face during the tire replacement process. Damaged, bent, or scratched rims? Long wait times? Issues with your new tires? We have heard it all. This is why we rely on touchless tire replacement. This process provides reliable tire changing without any of the traditional risks and challenges. Here is a quick guide to touchless tire replacement.

Why Do Traditional Tire Changes Put Rims at Risk?

Unfortunately, tire changes have earned a bad reputation of leaving drivers with damaged rims. You might find yourself battling a mechanic over whether or not your rim was scratched before you visited the shop. So why do traditional tire changes often result in scratched or bent rims? 

These manual tire changes require mechanics to powerfully maneuver levers and other heavy-duty tools while also being incredibly gentle with your rims and new tires. Naturally, this makes it easy for an inexperienced mechanic to leave your rims with serious damage. However, even the most skilled and experienced technicians are susceptible to human error. Touchless tire changing can prevent scratched rims by automating the tire changing process using upgraded tools.

How Does Touchless Tire Changing Prevent Scratched Rims? 

The Hunter Tire Machine is designed to overcome all of the challenges you might encounter during the tire changing process, which eliminates any risk to your rims:

• Leverless tire changing removes even the most stubborn tires without the abrasive levers. 
• Levers are replaced by scratch-resistant polymer tools that automatically follow your rim profile.
• It eliminates human error by automating the tire changing process.

A Four-Step Tire Changing  Process

One significant difference between traditional tire changing and touchless tire changing is the streamlined process. Tire changing is usually a 9-step process for each tire, compared to the contactless 4-step process. Touchless tire machines simply require mechanics to:

• Clamp the tires to the Hunter Tire Machine and enter in the rim configurations
• Use the mechanical rollers to remove the old tire
• Thread the new tire onto the rim using a polymer hook and roller
• Fill the tire to the proper PSI (tire pressure)

You can view a video of this process or read a more detailed description here: Introducing Hunter’s Auto34S Tire Changer Machine.

Quicker Service Visit

Tire replacements are known for being time-consuming, often leaving customers in the waiting room for hours. Each tire has to be carefully removed from your rims, replaced with a new tire, refilled to the proper PSI, mounted, and balanced. Chapel Hill Tire offers vehicle pick-up, delivery, and shuttles, making it easy to fit any service into your schedule. However, touchless tire changing minimizes the wait time on this service by streamlining the tire changing process.

Chapel Hill Tire: Contactless Tire Changing

When you need tire replacements, Chapel Hill Tire makes buying new tires easy, convenient, and affordable. After you buy your new tires online using our Tire Finder tool, we can get them added to your vehicle with the enhanced experience of touchless tire changing. You can contact any of our 9 Triangle-area locations—including those in Raleigh, Durham, Carrboro, Apex, and Chapel Hill—with any questions you may have. Make your appointment here online to get started today!

If you have ever bought a new set of tires, you likely know the timid feeling of driving away from the tire shop. Many drivers start to fear every road crack, dip, and pothole, often afraid of compromising their new tire investment. However, even the most careful drivers are susceptible to hazards on the road. Chapel Hill Tire invented Road Hazard Tire Protection so that drivers can enjoy their new tires without the fear of damage.  So what is Road Hazard Tire Protection? The experts at Chapel Hill Tire are here with insights. 

A Guide to Road Hazard Tire Protection

While many tires offer limited warranties to make sure that you do not get a “lemon” tire, this coverage often expires quickly and does not extend to most tire situations. Our professionals saw drivers carrying the burden of costly tire damage, so we invented Road Hazard Tire Protection. 

Road Hazard Tire Protection is the in-house coverage plan from Chapel Hill Tire. Our coverage is available for all new tires purchased from any of our local tire shops. Road Hazard Tire Protection is unlike any built-in tire warranty. This plan extends comprehensive potential savings by offering both tire replacement and free tire services. Road Hazard Tire Protection features:

• Up to $399.99 in tire replacement—included for 3 years or 2/32″ tread depth remaining.
• Free balancing for the life of your tires.
• Free flat repairs for the life of your tires
• Tire inflation complimentary for the life of your tires. 

Here is a closer look at each of these benefits and how much they can save you money long-term.

Free Repair or Replacement

Whether your tire is damaged or defective, a Road Hazard Tire Protection Plan will have you covered for 3-years or 2/32″ tread depth remaining—whichever comes first. This protection includes replacements up to $399.99. Instead of fearing for your tires over every pothole, you can enjoy the peace of mind that your tires (and your wallet) are protected.

Complimentary Flat Repairs

Do you have a nail in your tire? Flat tire repair services can often run you $25+. Nails getting stuck inside tires are just as common as they are frustrating. Thankfully, eligible flat repair and tire patches are free under the Road Hazard Tire Protection. Like most benefits, complimentary flat repair extends beyond the first 3-years/2/32″ tread depth. In fact, you can enjoy this service for the lifespan of your tires. 

Free Tire Balancing

Tire imbalance can create an uncomfortable drive as you face wheel shaking at higher speeds. Not only is this inconvenient, but it can also put your tires and your vehicle at risk. When your tires fall out of balance, road-force balancing services are necessary for resolving these troubles. Under Road Hazard Tire Protection, your tire balancing services are covered for the lifespan of your tires. 

Free Tire Inflation Services

Properly inflated tires save you money every time you drive your vehicle. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, under-inflated tires can reduce your fuel economy by up to 3%. This is why drivers need to frequently check each tire’s pressure and refill to the correct PSI. 

Unless you have an air compressor of your own, a public tire inflation station will also cost you a few dollars every couple of months. While each refill is not too expensive, this can add up over the course of several years. Thankfully, Road Hazard Tire Protection saves you the time, money, and trouble of tire refills. Our experts will make sure that you are covered with free tire inflation services for the lifespan of your tires.  

How Much Does Tire Protection Cost?

Your Road Hazard Tire Protection Plan pricing is based on the cost of the tires you choose to buy. More expensive tires are more costly to service, making the price of the protection slightly higher. However, Road Hazard Tire Protection is available for as little as $15 per tire. 

You can view your Road Hazard Tire Protection costs by using the online Tire Finder. This no-obligation tool gives you the out-the-door price on your tires (including or excluding the costs of available protection) without requiring you to enter in any of your information. Read our full guide to the Tire Finder tool here. 

Chapel Hill Tire Protection

You can find your next set of tires—and tire protection—at any of our 9 Chapel Hill Tire locations. We are conveniently located in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Apex, and Carrboro. You can contact our tire professionals with any questions you may have, or make an appointment to see our experts today!

When it comes to driving in wintry weather, the first and best option for you is to stay home. However, this is not always possible for some individuals. When you have no choice but to travel during the cold, it is essential you take every measure possible to stay safe. Here are some tips from our local mechanics on driving in inclement weather. 

Lower Air Pressure by ⅞ of Pressure

The air in your tires often compresses in the winter, leaving drivers with low tire pressure. Many drivers then go to extra lengths to make sure their tires are filled completely. Properly inflated tires are essential for fuel efficiency and vehicle handling. However, when you are driving in the snow, slightly lowering your tire pressure can help increase your traction. Our mechanics recommend lowering the air pressure to ⅞ of your air capacity. You should ensure that your tires are not left underinflated, and you should reinflate them to your full recommended PSI once the threat of wintery roads has passed. 

Have a Windshield Scraper

Wintery weather often means that you can come outside to find your windshield covered in ice. This can leave you waiting for your defrost to kick in, or using a makeshift ice scraper—such as an old credit card. To ensure that you have quick and effective visibility during hazardous conditions, make sure that you are prepared by keeping an ice scraper in your car. These can be found at most major retailers, and they are usually a very affordable, trouble-saving investment.

Don’t Slam on Your Breaks

When driving in wintery weather, it is best to avoid slamming on your breaks. Aggressive braking can cause your car to skid, leaving you with less control over your vehicle. Instead, gradually let off of your accelerator and leave yourself with as much time as possible to stop. You will also want to ensure that your brake pads have more than 1/4th of an inch of material on them for safe, effective braking. 

Check Your Tire Tread

Tire tread is important for vehicle safety and handling year-round, but it is perhaps most essential during wintery weather conditions. The tread on your tires collects snow, helping your tires reach the road. It also gives you the most control possible when you hit a spot of bad weather. If your tires have less than 2/32 of an inch of tread left, you are due for a replacement. Here is how you can check your tire tread depth using your wear indicator bars and other tests. 

Make Sure Your Battery is Ready

Why does it seem like dead batteries always hit at the worst possible times, such as in wintery weather conditions? There is actually a clear correlation between cold temperatures and dead batteries. Extreme winter weather conditions can deplete the charge of your battery. Additionally, cold weather requires more power for your vehicle to start. This is why wintery weather is the catalyst for many battery replacements, as batteries near the end of their lifespan cannot manage this stress. You can take a few key steps to prepare for winter battery troubles:

• When possible, park your vehicle in your garage.
• Keep a set of jumper cables in your car, or—better yet—a jump-starting battery pack.
• If you have a jump-starting battery pack, make sure that it is fully charged at all times. The cold weather can deplete this power level as well. During extreme temperatures, you may consider bringing your portable battery starter inside at night to keep it charged. Just don’t forget to bring it back out with you again in the morning. 
• If you find that your vehicle is struggling to start, have your battery and starting system checked by a mechanic. This can help you avoid battery troubles before they leave you stranded. 
• Make sure your battery terminal ends are clean and free of corrosion. 

These steps can help you avoid the stress and trouble of a dead car battery. If you find that you need help on the road, here is our guide to jump-starting your battery. 

Chapel Hill Tire: Professional Winter Car Care

When you find that your car is not ready for wintery weather, it is best to get it serviced before snowfall becomes a threat. The professionals at Chapel Hill Tire are here for you and all of your winter car needs. You can find the lowest prices on new tires and coupons for battery replacements & other vehicle services. Make your appointment here online, or visit one of our 9 Triangle-area locations to get started today!