Winter Tires – Yea or Nay?

December 31st, 2015
In a lot of parts of the country, the winters are tough enough that all-season tires just won’t get the job done. All-season tires are a compromise; they offer good year-round traction with a quiet ride, good handling and road manners. They tend to perform well in wet weather and light wintry conditions, but when the snow is more than a couple of inches deep, all-season tires are out of their league. That’s when it’s time to consider winter tires. 
Today’s winter tires are a long way from the heavy, noisy, clumsy “snow tires” or “mud grips” that your dad might have had on his station wagon 40 years ago. Modern winter tires are designed for noise, handling, steering response and road manners that rival grand touring tires, only with enhanced traction. They accomplish that with deeper, more aggressive tread grooves and a tread pattern that’s d ...[more]
  Tags: tires, tread wear, drivers safety, winter tires, tread depth, replacing tires, tires pressure
  Posted in: Tires 101

Squeeze a Few More Miles Out of That Gallon of Gas

December 15th, 2015
If you’re past “a certain age,” you might remember when gas was $1.50 per gallon, or $1.00 per gallon, or 59 cents, or what-have-you…but the truth is that everything has gotten more expensive. After all, when gas was $1.00 per gallon, a nicely tricked-out Chevrolet Caprice Classic was selling for about $6,000 brand new. 
 
Now that we’re well into the 21st century, gas prices are likely to fluctuate, but one thing’s for sure: gas is likely to never be “cheap” again. We know that everyone’s trying to get a little more out of every dollar, and whether you’re driving a big SUV or a subcompact, there are things you can do to help your vehicle’s fuel economy: 
• Watch your right foot. This is pro ...[more]
  Tags: fuel economy, gas mileage, tire pressure
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

The Holidays Are Coming – Is Your Vehicle Ready?

November 26th, 2015
Where did this year go? Before you know it, it’s going to be time for the holidays, and that can mean travel in some pretty trying conditions (and we don’t just mean restless kids in the back seat). Is your vehicle ready for some interstate miles?
 
• Tires: It’s a good idea to have your tires rotated every 5,000-7,000 miles to ensure even wear. With that in mind, it’s easy to just schedule a tire rotation with every oil change, since the vehicle will be up in the air on a lube rack anyway. Have you checked your inflation lately? Your proper 
inflation levels will be on a sticker on the driver’s side door frame, inside the fuel filler door or in the owner’s manual – always check th ...[more]
  Tags: tires, auto repair, preventative maintenance, tire, oil change, drivers safety, holiday travel, auto service, tire pressure, tires pressure
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

Winter Tires? Or All-Season Tires?

November 15th, 2015
Winter tires versus all-season tires…which is the right choice for you?
 
The two designs are quite different and deliver different levels of performance and winter-weather traction, so let’s discuss. 
• All-season tires are designed as an all-around compromise. They feature a tread pattern that evacuates water from the tire’s contact patch to prevent hydroplaning, with plenty of small, textured slits (sipes) to add extra biting edges for traction in wet or slushy conditions. 
• All-season tires are designed with a harder tread compound that can deliver a long service life and long wear. 
•...[more]
  Tags: tires, driving safety, snow tires
  Posted in: Tires 101

Don’t Forget Your Spare

October 29th, 2015
Oh, the lowly spare tire. It doesn’t get much respect. 
Today, a lot of vehicles don’t even come with a spare tire anymore, not even the little “donut” space-saver spare. Instead, to cut weight and free up space, they come with a compressor and a can of a Fix-a-Flat-style product in hopes that you can get back on your way again. Great idea, unless your tire has a sidewall puncture or is shredded…
Anyway, if your car is equipped with a spare, you shouldn’t just ignore it. Tires have a shelf life, and time will take its toll on any tire, including ones that are never on the ground. Even brand-new tires have a sell-by date; the industry agrees that tires that are older than six to eight years old are probably unsafe due to degradation of the rubber. Your spare can sit in the trunk or under the vehicle and dry-rot over time, and eve ...[more]
  Tags: tires, tire repair, flat tires, winter tires, replacing tires
  Posted in: Tires 101

Winter is Coming

October 15th, 2015
The days are getting shorter, there’s a snap in the air, and before you know it, the winter months are going to be upon us. Is your vehicle ready?   
• Wipers: Even the best windshield wipers are only good for about a year; normal wear, the sun’s UV rays and the elements take their toll on them. Get a good look and check them for chunks, strips or chips missing, and replace if necessary for a streak-free field of vision in wet weather. Hint: a fresh application of 
Rain-X on your windshield and window glass can help visibility greatly. 
• Brakes: Are you hearing any squeaks, squeals or grinding noises when you apply the brakes? Are you noticing that the pedal goes farther to the floor bef ...[more]
  Tags: auto repair, preventative maintenance, car repair, car battery, brakes
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

What Makes All-Season Tires So Great?

July 15th, 2015

So your closet has a pair of flip-flops for the summer, a pair of heavy boots for the winter, and a comfortable pair of sneakers for most of the rest of the year. If you live in a climate that doesn’t have harsh winters, you might just be able to wear those sneakers year-round...and all-season tires are the equivalent of your comfortable sneakers.

So what makes all-season tires so special?

Winter tires are excellent for severe conditions like heavy snow and even ice. They feature specially-designed tread patterns and “sipes”, hundreds of tiny slits which offer biting edges for traction in snow. This means shorter stopping distances, better handling and better control ...[more]

  Tags: tires, flat tires, new tires, flat tires, tires repair
  Posted in: Tires 101

Give the Gift of Life – Memorial Blood Drive 06/27/14

June 3rd, 2015

Below is a recent Press Release regarding our upcoming Memorial Blood Drive

by: Amy Milstead

Any automotive accident is devastating, but no grief can possibly compare to the heartbreak of losing a loved one at the hands of impaired driving. Entirely avoidable and selfishly reckless, impaired driving prematurely takes the lives of over 17,000 drivers and passengers per year. This June give your support to the memorial of drunk driving victims and join Milstead Automotive in giving the most valuable gift one person can give another- the ...[more]

  Tags: oil change
  Posted in: Events

Lipsticks And Dipsticks

March 5th, 2015

Lipsticks and Dipsticks Logo
 

Would you like us to share our presentation at your event?
Would you like us to do a private seminar for you or somone you know?
Contact Elizabeth Williams for more details.

UPCOMING CLINICS

May 15, 2014   29707 W Hawthorne- Milstead-a-Go-Go from 5:30 pm to 7pm

September 11, 2014 29707 W Hawthorne

Stay tuned for more details and information!

  Tags: tires
  Posted in: Events

What Does Your Check Engine Light Mean? Milstead Automotive

January 23rd, 2015

When your car's "Check Engine" light comes on, it's usually accompanied by a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. The light could mean a costly problem, like a bad catalytic converter, or it could be something minor, like a loose gas cap. But in many cases, it means at minimum that you'll be visiting your mechanic to locate the malfunction and get the light turned off.

The Check Engine light, more formally known as the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), is a signal from the car's engine computer that something is wrong. Older vehicles may not have this, but any newer vehicle is equipped with a tiny all-knowing computer that will be your lifeline in communicating any problem with how the engine is running. Your Tire and Automotive service department can diagnose the problem, but there are ways to preview what the problem might be.

Prior to 1996, carmakers had ...[more]

  Tags: mechanic, car repair
  Posted in: Tires 101
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