Seaside Auto Repair

How to Check Your Tire Pressure Ensuring your tires are properly inflated is essential for safe driving, better fuel efficiency, and extending the life of your tires. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you check your tire pressure effectively: 1. Gather What You Need Start with a tire pressure gauge. You’ll find digital, dial, or stick gauges at auto supply stores. Digital gauges are user-friendly, while dial and stick gauges are classic options. Brands like Accutire and Milton are known for reliable gauges. 2. Find the Recommended Pressure Locate the recommended PSI (pounds per square inch) for your vehicle. Check your owner’s manual or look for a label inside the driver’s side door jamb. 3. Check Tire Pressure When Cold For an accurate reading, check your tire pressure when the tires are cold. This means waiting at least three hours after driving or checking first thing in the morning. 4. Remove the Valve Cap Unscrew the valve cap fr ... read more

How to Check Tires for Uneven Wear Keeping your tires in peak condition is essential for their lifespan and safety. Here's how to effectively check for uneven wear: Park on a Level Surface: Begin by finding a flat surface to park your vehicle. This ensures stability while you inspect all four tires. Visual Inspection of Tread: Look closely at the tread of each tire. Examine the surface for any sections that appear more worn down than others. Use a Tread Depth Gauge: For more accuracy, you can use a tread depth gauge. If you don’t have one, a quarter can be an alternative tool—insert it into the tread grooves to measure depth. Compare Tire Sides: Inspect both the inner and outer edges of each tire. Look for any significant differences in wear patterns or signs of feathering. Check for Damage: Scan for visible damage like cracks or bulges, which can be indicators of more serious iss ... read more

Why is My Car Pulling? Understanding the Cause and Solution Have you ever been driving down the road and felt your car pulling to one side? This can be not only frustrating but also potentially dangerous. At Wayside Garage, we recently had a customer with a 2007 BMW experiencing this very issue. After a thorough inspection, we found that the alignment was off, and the tires were worn unevenly. Let's break down why this happens and how to prevent it. Common Causes of a Car Pulling When your car pulls to one side, several factors could be at play: Wheel Alignment Issues: Misaligned wheels are a leading cause of a car pulling. Your vehicle's alignment can be thrown off by hitting potholes, curbs, or even parking lot stoppers. Uneven Tire Wear: If the tires on your car are worn unevenly, it can affect how your car drives, even if you correct the alignment. In our customer's case ... read more

Why are my tires wearing on the outside? When your tires show more wear on the outside, it usually indicates a few potential issues with your vehicle’s alignment, suspension, or driving habits. Let’s break down the common causes: 1. Improper Wheel Alignment: Wheel alignment is crucial for even tire wear. If your alignment is off, particularly if the wheels are angled outward at the front, it can cause the outer edges of your tires to wear down faster than the middle or inner parts. Getting regular alignments can help prevent this uneven wear. Understanding Wheel Alignment To fully grasp how alignment affects tire wear, it's important to understand the key components involved: Wheelbase The wheelbase refers to the distance between the front and rear axles, measured from the center of the hub. An unequal wheelbase on either side of your vehicle might indicate issues with suspension components, such as being worn, be ... read more