The Effects from Regular Tire Rotations from your Northeast Ohio Tire Experts

New tires are often an investment to most customers, and one that they expect to hold their value. A few weeks ago we discussed how proper alignments can help your tires wear evenly, but regularly rotating and balancing your tires is another way to ensure you get the most out of your hoops. Typically, you can expect to rotate your tires anywhere from 5,000 to 8,000 depending on the vehicle. Check your car's owners manual to find out when the manufacturer suggests to rotate your tires. One rule of thumb most people do is rotate their tires every oil change, which can be done at any Bob Sumerel Tire location! Below are some tips and hints as to what a tire rotation does for your tires, and the different ways it can be performed!

• Directional tires usually don't need rotating- For some high performance vehicles, they do not require rotation. Consult with your local Bob Sumerel Tire location to find out if you have directional tires. 
• There are multiple ways to perform a rotation- See the picture to the right for the various ways to have a tire rotation done. Contact your local Bob Sumerel Tire rep to go over which method would be the best for your vehicle!
• Front tires usually wear faster on the edges- Since the front tires are doing the turning when you take a corner, they are susceptible to wearing on the edges faster then the rear tires.
  
• Properly aligned cars will help with wear- An aligned vehicle maximized the "footprint" of the tire touching the ground, ensuring even wear across the width of the tire.
• Having your brakes, tire tread depth, and air pressure checked in addition to rotating- With any tire rotation, your local Bob Sumerel Tire technicians will be certain that they check your air pressure, as well as getting a good look at your brakes. That way, they can estimate about how much life is left on your pads, as well as your tires!
• Balancing your tires is just as important- A tire that is balanced properly will maintain surface contact with the road at all times, preventing "tire hop." 

Many do not think about it, but tires are one of the critical safety features to any motor vehicle. In some cases, most vehicles do not need to tires rotated as often, it mainly goes back to driving habits as well as miles driven. Every once in a while, it is important to take a look at your tires, checking both their air pressure as well as tread wear. Anything out of the ordinary suchas a ripped widewall, uneven wearing, or cords exposed should be taken in to a your local Bob Sumerel Tire Co for a complimentary tire inspection. Give us a call, reps are standing by awaiting your call, and are willing to help in anyway!


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Changing your Headlights with Ease from Ohio's Bulb-Changing Experts

Having a burnt out headlight can be a frustration every driver will face at some point in time. All bulbs are different, and there is no set time to expect a headlight to go out on you. It's important to note that all vehicles are different, and they have various procedures when changing a headlight. Some can be done without any tools necessary, while others require removal of panels, and other components. Luckily, changing a headlight can be relatively simple, and can be taken care of at any local Bob Sumerel Tire location within about 15 minutes! But if you are feeling brave, here are some tips on changing your headlight on your own!YouTube is always a good reference to see watch before performing the headlight change itself!

• Locate the bulb that is burnt- Check your lights to identify the one that is burnt, open the hood to inspect it's location. Some headlight assemblies have a removable "cap" to access the headlight.
• Turn the car off, see if you can access the bulb by hand- Depending on the vehicle, it is possible to change the headlight without any tools necessary. Other vehicles require the headlight assembly to be removed, usually consisting of a few bolts/levers to be removed. 
• Disconnect the headlight socket pigtail- Removing the headlight wire is the first step, check to see what way to move the plastic tab, be careful to not snap off the plastic. (See picture below) 
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  Find out how the bulb is held in place- Sine bulbs require a simple counter-clockwise turn, which others are held in by a metal wire. Be very gentle with the bulb when pulling it out, make sure you realize how it comes out so you can install the new one correctly. 
• Installing the new bulb- The same way it came out is how it should go back in. BE SURE NOT TO TOUCH THE GLASS PART OF THE BULB, it can severely effect the clarity of the bulb. Be sure to test the bulb by turning the headlights on before you re-assemble everything!
• Reconnect the wire, put the assembly back together- Reverse the steps you took to get the bulb out, essentially. Put the protective cap back on, and ensure that the headlight works properly. 

One thing to note is that in most cases, the more you spend on a headlight bulb, the shorter life span it will have. More expensive halogen lights need more electrical current to power them, which in turn drains their life faster then a standard halogen bulb. Another thing to add is that "bulb grease" is often additive to use when you are installing a new bulb. Rubbing the grease on the metal contact points of your bulb will ensure the bulb does not corrode overtime, and also helps keep moisture away from the electrical parts of the bulb. Again, YouTube is a great source of knowledge if this is your first time replacing the headlight by yourself. If you are not confident in your abilities, any local Bob Sumerel Tire can help you change it!

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How to Properly to Check your Oil from Ohio's Engine Oil Experts

The most vital fluid that goes into the engineering of your vehicle is without a doubt your engine oil. The main purpose it serves is to lubricate the many moving parts inside your engine, preventing metal breakdown, and ensuring a proper compression within the cylinders. Checking your oil is a relatively straight forward process, and should be done occasionally in between oil changes. For more information on how long you should wait in between oil changes, visit our blog post here. Oil changes can be done at any local Bob Sumerel Tire, click the link here to schedule your appointment today!

• Allow your car to run for a little bit before checking it- Checking your oil "cold" can give off an inaccurate reading. It is essential to allow the oil to circulate and warm up before checking it. 
• Always check your oil with your car off- With your car not running, oil has time to settle at the bottom of the oil pan, which is most accurate way of reading your oil dipstick. 
  
• Make certain your car is on a level surface- If your car is on a slope, the oil level will not be "flat," thus giving an inaccurate reading on the dipstick. 
• When taking out the dipstick, do not tip it upside down- Bring the dipstick straight out of the tube, and make sure the bottom of the stick faces down. Flipping it upside down can cause the oil to run, giving an inaccurate reading. 
• Find the two dots/dashes- Most dipsticks have a low/high level represented by two dots, or dashes on the stick. 
• Add oil accordingly- If your oil is below the "low" level, try to add half a quart of oil. Once this is done, check the oil again to see where the level is at, repeat this process until it is between the two dots. 

Typically, when the level is below the "low" dot, it will take approximately 1 quart of oil to get it back to the "full" level. Every car is different however, and you should be cautious not to overfill your oil when you are adding oil. A common misconception about oil is that if it is dark in color, it is dirty, which means it needs to be changed. Color has little to do with the condition of the oil, you should always go off of your mileage when thinking about when you should get it changed next. Take advantage of the coupon at the bottom of this blog to get $5 off any oil change at your local Bob Sumerel Tire!

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A Look into Your Transmission Fluid, from Ohio's Transmission Experts

Your transmission is a vital component within your vehicular systems, without it, you would only be able to travel up to 15 mph! Back when cars were first starting to be mass produced, the only option you had was to get a manual transmission vehicle with 2 or 3 gears. Times have changed, and automatic transmissions have now become the standard option on most new vehicles being produced today. One thing most people do not know is that different transmissions take a different type of fluid, and varies from make-to-make. The biggest chemical within the makeup of transmission fluid are the numerous detergents in the active compounds of tranny fluid. These detergents create a layer on all of the internal moving parts of the transmission, they prevent accelerated wear to the metal parts. Below are the different types of transmission fluid, and what makes they coincide with:

• Manual Transmission Fluid-Manual transmissions are often much smaller than automatic transmissions, which require less, and cheaper fluid. Your local Bob Sumerel Tire Co. uses a Valvoline VPS fluid that covers a wide array of manual transmissions.
• Mercon V - This fluid is universal for most Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles.
• ATF+ - This fluid is commonly used for Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Plymouth vehicles.
• Dexron III - Older GM vehicles usually take this fluid, typically anything produced before 2000.
• Dexron VI -Post 2004 GM vehicles is primarily the type vehicle that will take this fluid.
• CVT - This fluid is slightly different than a typical transmission fluid. It is features in newer Mazda, Mitsubishi, and a few other Japanese vehicles. Typically, your transmission dipstick will say "CVT Fluid only" to identify the type of fluid it takes.

To Check your Transmission Fluid Level- Most vehicle manufacturers require you to run the vehicle until it is at operating temperature. Once this has happened, park the vehicle on a flat surface, and leave it running. Check your transmission dipstick as you would check your oil, making sure it is within the "proper level."
For Hyundai's & Kias- Complete this process, but do not have the vehicle running while you check the fluid level.

Different vehicles require the transmission fluid to be flushed at different intervals. Check an owners manual, or give your local Bob Sumerel Tire location a call to get more information on when it is time to change your fluid. In today's market, there are universal fluids that supposedly work on all vehicles, but we recommend that you consult with a local Bob Sumerel Tire mechanic before you make that call. By maintaining regular fluid changes, you are further extending the life of your transmission, much like you are maintaining your engine by changing your oil regularly.

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