Tire maintenance

Tire services & maintenance

Regular tire maintenance is essential for getting the most out of your tire investment.

Regular tire maintenance is essential for getting the most out of your tire investment.

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Getting every last mile out of your tiresGetting every last mile out of your tires

Tires can be expensive and you need them to last. There are 3 essential services, wheel alignment, tire rotation and tire balancing that can help maintain your tires so they go the distance. Lets dive in and understand how and why these services help you get the most out of your tire investment.

Wheel Alignment

Wheel Alignment

Understanding wheel alignments and how they can save you money down the road.

Understanding wheel alignments and how they can save you money down the road.

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What is a wheel alignment?

Sometimes called a front-end alignment, this adjustment is made to make sure your vehicle tracks straight and true whenever it’s in motion. Proper alignment is a delicate balancing act encompassing power, acceleration, steering, braking and suspension. It involves adjusting the camber (outward or inward tilt of the tires), caster (front or rear tilt), and toe (direction of the tires when viewed from above). It helps ensure that when the wheels are quickly rotating, there’s no unwanted drift from side-to-side or up-and-down vibrations.

Why does my vehicle go out of alignment?

There are many reasons your vehicle may go out of alignment. 1. Potholes and road impact such as hitting a curb. 2. Steering and suspension issues. 3. Wear from aging suspension parts.

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The back right wheel of a vehicle is getting an alignment in a garage.

How often should I get a wheel alignment?

In general, wheels alignments should be done about every six months or 6,000 miles, whichever comes first. But, if you notice your vehicle unintentionally veering left or right or experiencing odd vibrations, it’s time to get things checked out. Another time to definitely have an alignment is when you’re replacing your tires. Having them properly balanced and aligned when new will help maintain even tread wear from the get-go.

What are the benefits of a wheel alignment?

Wheels that are out of alignment can create excessive, uneven wear on your tires. If a mis-aligned wheel tries to move in a different direction than intended, this works against normal tread wear. It can cause the tread to disappear early and unevenly. Keeping your alignment true helps the treads last longer and helps eliminate any loss of traction that might result from premature tread wear. Not to mention, poor alignment can also negatively affect your suspension and can cause excessive play in the steering wheel. Quite simply, a properly aligned vehicle is a safer vehicle.

Alignment computer

Tire rotationTire rotation

This is another important element of tire maintenance, performance and safety. “Rotating your tires” doesn’t mean rolling forward a few feet, it has to do with routinely repositioning your tires in specific patterns from front to back or side to side. Depending on the type and manufacturer, regular tire rotation may even be a condition for keeping your tires covered under warranty.

What is a tire rotation?

Periodically changing the positions of each tire on your vehicle is better known as a “tire rotation”. Your vehicle and tire manufacturers will have recommendations for how often and in what direction to move the tires.

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How often should I get my tires rotated?

The answer to this question can vary depending on the type of tires you have and whether your vehicle is front-, rear- or all-wheel drive. Every 5000 miles, or whenever you go in for an oil change, is a good rule of thumb to follow for when to get your tires rotated.

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What are the benefits of a tire rotation?

When your tires are routinely rotated, wear is spread evenly across all four tires, which helps maximize tread life. Each specific position on your vehicle requires something different from each tire. This can lead to more (or less) wear depending on the tire’s position. More even tread wear keeps the tread depth on your tires uniform to help keep handling and traction consistent. This can help deliver improved cornering, braking and overall safety. Regular rotations also lets you or a technician visually inspect the tires for damage. You can also check the air pressure, have them rebalanced if you’re noticing some vibration, even check their tread depth.

Tire balancing Tire balancing

This service properly adjusts the tire weight distribution around the vehicle. Balancing is an important service that’s recommended to help you get better vehicle performance and more miles out of your tires.

Why do tires become un-balanced?

Tires can become unbalanced in a variety of different ways. Cold temperatures can cause your tires to deflate so much that they can become unbalanced. Another common reason for tire imbalance is the loss of a wheel weight. This happens when you’re driving at high speeds and hit a speed bump, pothole or curb.

Tire balancing Laser
Tire balance tech

Benefits of properly balanced tires

Properly balanced tires help deliver a smooth ride and more even tread wear. This can extend the life of your tires and provide added safety. Over time, tires lose balance, so it’s a good idea to have the service performed every 6 months or 6,000 miles.

Frequently asked questions

  • Replace 2or4 Card
    Should I replace 2 tires or 4 tires?

    As a general rule, we recommend replacing all four tires at the same time. However, sometimes you may only need to replace two of your tires. If this is the case, we recommend mounting the new tires on the rear axle. This will add traction and increase the overall safety of your vehicle.

  • Tire Blue2
    How can I make my money go farther?

    A first glance, it might seem like the best value tire is the one that costs less. But instead of looking at up-front costs, it might be worth looking at the cost over time. When we break down the cost-per-mile, a higher quality tire might end up being the better value. Not to mention improved ride quality, superior handling and enhanced safety. Depending on your driving habits, spending a bit more now could save you money down the road.

  • Bald tire blue
    When should I replace my tires?

    Knowing when to replace your tires boils down to two simple words: safety first. Keeping track of your tread depth and the age of the tire are two important factors in determining if they’re still safe and road-ready. 

Your one-stop-explanation-shop!

We know buying tires and servicing your vehicle can be overwhelming and darn right confusing. That's why we've assembled all the information to help simplify tire selection, vehicle maintenance and repair.

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    Tire Buying Guide

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    Spring maintenance

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    Roadtrip tips

    The open road is calling. Before you answer, check out these helpful hints to make the journey more enjoyable.

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    Get more out of your gas tank

    With gas prices being high, a little bit of vehicle maintenance can go a long way in improving your gas mileage.

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    Protecting Your Tire Investment

    You want to get every possible mile out of your tires. We want to help you do it. 


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    Replacing Tires

    Knowing when to replace your tires boils down to two simple words: safety first. Keeping track of your tread depth and the age of the tire are two important factors in determining if they’re still safe and road-ready.


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    Tire Types

    Understanding all the different tire types can be overwhelming. Lets take a closer look to find the right tire for you.


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    Tire Sizes

    Before purchasing any tire, you need to be sure you’re getting the right size and type for your specific vehicle. Knowing how to find this important info and what it means will help you make the right call.


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    Tread Patterns & Components

     Learning more about the various features of a tire’s construction can help you determine the perfect fit for your specific vehicle, driving style and surroundings.


  • A hand is using a tire pressure gauge to check the amount of air in a tire.
    Inspecting Your Tires

    A good rule of thumb is to inspect your tires once a month. When you bring out the gauge to check your tire pressures, it’s a good time to give the actual tires a checkup too.


  • Alignment spring
    Alignment

    Aligning your tires regularly helps reduce premature tread wear and improves gas mileage.


  • Tire pressure gauge closeup
    Tire Pressure

    Having your tires properly inflated is the fastest, simplest and cheapest way to make sure your vehicle is getting better gas mileage.


  • Brake inspection
    Brakes

    We offer free safety brake checks for everyone. Because keeping up with proper brake maintenance will save you money and keep you safer on the road.

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    Suspension

    Everyone wants a vehicle that drives smoothly and safely. Let’s explore the basics of your suspension system.

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    Tire Maintenance

    Regular tire maintenance is essential for getting the most out of your tire investment.


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    Battery services

    Our friendly battery experts not only offer replacements and installments, but also free inspections.

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    Tire Pressure Monitor System TPMS

     If you see the TPMS icon illuminated, check the pressure in all four tires as soon as possible.


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    Wheel Care

    Tires aren’t the only thing that keeps your vehicle rolling smoothly. Proper care for your wheels helps them last longer while making every trip safer.

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    Winter Maintenance Tips

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You're covered with us!

  • ALIGNMENT SPRING 1
    A plan to protect your alignment

    Potholes, curbs and other road hazards are just waiting to mess with your wheels. After your next alignment at Belle Tire, an additional $35 gets you unlimited wheel alignments for the next 12 months. This helps protect your investment by getting every possible mile out of your tires (and saving you up to $144 during the year).

  • tires on a rack
    Industry-Leading Tire Protection Plan

    Belle Tire is ready to repair or replace your tire if it fails due to faulty workmanship or materials, or a non-repairable road hazard. This plan is good until the tire has 3/32 inch tread depth remaining, or 3 years from the date you bought it, whichever comes first. Just pay for it when you purchase the tire.

  • Tire install
    Tire Installation Package

    Our experts don’t just install your tires, we send you on your way with access to more free lifetime services than any of the so-called competition. Free lifetime alignment checks, tire rotations, spin balancing, flat repairs and more will help you get the maximum mileage out of your tires. 

Don’t keep your new tires waiting.

Don’t keep your new tires waiting.

We’ll help you find the perfect tires in a few steps.

We’ll help you find the perfect tires in a few steps.

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