TIRES

At The MIKE Shop of your choice we value the safety of our customers above all else. We want to ensure that you get to where you're going every time with a reliable and safe vehicle. A major problem area for the cars and trucks that come into The MIKE Shop of your choice, are tires. Your tires are your connection to the road, and without them doing their job properly, all the handling development and safety testing that went into your car may not keep you safe. Here is some basic information on your tires and how to know when the time has come for replacements.

Why are old or bad tires dangerous?

As stated above, your tires are an extremely important component of your car or truck. If you've ever been out of control in a vehicle, you'll know how scary being a powerless passenger inside a two ton metal box can be. Driving on tires that are too old, improperly inflated, out of balance, or not suited to weather conditions can spell disaster for your safe journey. Your tires were designed with a very specific task in mind. Using them improperly can have sudden and catastrophic consequences.

Signs your tires need air

This issue can be fairly simple to spot. If your tire seems to be wider at the part which contacts the road, they probably need to be topped up with air. Driving on under-inflated tires wears them out faster due to uneven pressure on the sidewall and can lead to full-on flats and even end up shredding the tire off the wheel! Low tire pressure ruins your vehicle's fuel economy. If you've ever ridden a bicycle with under-inflated tires you know how much extra effort you have to put in to get moving and stay rolling. On the flip side of this, driving with too much air in your tires is also unsafe. While it's unlikely that hitting a large pothole would cause the tire to burst (remember they're built to last for thousands of miles) having too much air pressure in a tire reduces the size of the contact patch, or the area where rubber meets road. This can lead to less grip and control over your vehicle. Every tire manufacturer prints the correct tire pressure on the side of their tires, so it's easy to find out the perfect pressure for your ride.

Signs your tires are out of tread

As with having over-inflated tires, a lack of tread can lead to less control and worse handling for your car or truck. Your tires' tread patterns help them to hold the road as well as channeling mud and water away from the areas that need to do the gripping. Without enough tread depth, your car can ride up on top of water on the road and cause you a complete loss of control. There are a few common methods of measuring tread depth, such as using a penny to gauge whether or not it's time to replace your tires, but we recommend coming into The MIKE Shop of your choice for a professional opinion on the matter. Not all tires are created equal and must be replaced at different times.

Signs your tires are damaged

Signs that your tires are damaged can come from a few sources. A visual inspection can catch potential problems before they become major issues such as nails or rocks embedded in the tread grooves. Always remember that there's a great deal of pressure contained within your tires. If you see any gashes, bubbles or hear the hiss of air escaping it's best to stay away from that tire and enlist the help of a professional. Believe us, you don't want a tire exploding anywhere near you.

You can sometimes feel tire damage while driving. If your car begins to make strange noises as it goes down the road or the handling suddenly becomes worse you should pull over as soon as it's safe. Driving on a flat is a bad idea, and can often lead to more severe damage to your vehicle.

What can and cannot be repaired

Tires are expensive and we take any opportunity we can to repair them safely and save you money. Small punctures can often be plugged and patched (it should always be both!) but sometimes the tire's day is done. If the puncture is on the outer edge of the tire (outside the tread) it's probably unsafe to repair. The same goes for a tire that's been driven on while flat. In this case the sidewall has become weakened and the tire is no longer safe. As with recommended pressures, each manufacturer has guides for what can and what can't be repaired.

At The MIKE Shop of your choice, customer safety is our number one priority. We hope you'll be a little safer with this information.

We offer most major brands of tires. These are a few of our preferred brands.

Why Are Old or Bad Tires Dangerous?

Your tires are your vehicle's only contact with the road-when they're compromised, so is your safety. Old, worn, under-inflated, or poorly matched tires can lead to dangerous handling, poor braking, and a higher risk of blowouts or hydroplaning. In high-stakes driving situations, the wrong tires can make you feel like a passenger in your own car.

Signs Your Tires Need Air

Underinflated tires often appear flatter at the road contact point. This causes uneven wear on the sidewalls, reduced fuel efficiency, and in severe cases, complete tire failure. Overinflated tires, on the other hand, reduce the contact patch-making it harder for your car to grip the road, especially during sudden turns or stops. For the safest and smoothest ride, check your vehicle's recommended pressure (usually listed on the driver's side door) or visit The MIKE Shop of your choice in Lombard, IL for assistance.

Signs of Low Tread Depth

Low tread reduces traction, especially in wet conditions, increasing your risk of hydroplaning and poor vehicle control. Your tire's tread channels water and debris-without enough depth, it simply can't perform. Try the penny test at home, or better yet, bring your vehicle to our shop in Lombard, IL for a professional tread inspection.

Signs of Tire Damage

Look out for embedded debris, cracks, bulges, or bubbling. You may also feel vibration or hear odd noises when driving-both of which may indicate internal damage or structural failure. If you suspect an issue, it's best to avoid handling the tire and let a pro at The MIKE Shop of your choice take a look.

What Can (and Can't) Be Repaired

Small punctures within the tread area can usually be safely repaired with a plug and patch. However, damage to the sidewall, large gashes, or tires driven on while flat are often beyond repair. The MIKE Shop of your choice follows strict manufacturer guidelines to ensure any repair made is 100% safe.

We offer the following services to help you prolong the life of your tires:

Alignments
Wheel alignment (or simply alignment) is standard car maintenance that involves adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are set to the manufacturer's specifications. The main purpose is to let the suspension and the steering systems operate at their desired angles - this reduces tire wear. Alignment is a complicated process and not all mechanics get it right. To have experts handle your car's alignment, visit The MIKE Shop of your choice.

Balancing
If you feel excessive vibration in the car, or wobbling of the steering wheel, your tires may be unbalanced. The MIKE Shop of your choice has the professional equipment and technicians to measure the balance of your vehicle's tires and make necessary corrections.

Tire Inspection
It is recommended that tires, including the spare, be periodically inspected by a tire service professional during routine maintenance intervals such as oil changes and tire rotations. We will inspect the tire tread and sidewalls for irregular tread wear, cracking, scrapes, bulges, cuts, snags, foreign objects or other damage resulting from use. We will remove any stones, glass, foreign objects, etc. embedded in the tread to prevent further damage. Even minor damage can lead to further injury and eventual tire failure. Tires with excessive cracking on the tread or sidewall(s) should be removed from service. This is typically caused by under inflation, over loading, improper storage, and/or improper long-term parking.

Tire Rotation
Tire rotation is the practice of moving the wheels and tires of an automobile from one position to another, to ensure even tire wear, which extends the useful life of a set of tires. Rotation is important because each tire on a car carries a different amount of weight, making them wear at different rates. By rotating them, you basically even out those differences. Your owner's manual will tell you how often to rotate your tires, but as a rule of thumb, it should be done every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.

We Offer Most Major Brands of Tires
At The MIKE Shop of your choice, we understand that tires are an important part of your car. The quality of tires and material used on them highly affects the vehicle's performance. Their main purpose is to protect the wheel's rims and improve vehicle performance. For this reason, we only deal with brand name tires. Also, we offer fleet tire management services to ensure you are getting the best value, fuel economy, and life from your tires.

At The MIKE Shop of your choice, customer safety is our number one priority. We hope you'll be a little safer with this information. If you'd like to talk about whether your tires may need inspection or replacement, call us at 630-495-2700 or visit us at 234 W Roosevelt Rd in Lombard, IL. Happy travels!

We offer most major brands of tires:

Tire Related FAQs

At what mileage should I rotate my tires?

Most manufacturers recommend rotating tires every 5,000-7,500 miles. However, this can vary depending on your vehicle's drivetrain and driving style. Let The MIKE Shop of your choice in Lombard help determine the ideal rotation schedule.

What are the benefits of rotating my tires?

Tire rotation ensures even wear, extending the life of your tires and promoting a smoother, more balanced ride. It also improves handling and reduces the risk of uneven traction.

How do I check my tire pressure?

Remove the valve cap and press a tire gauge onto the stem. Compare the reading to your manufacturer's recommended PSI (found in your manual or inside the driver's door). Re-cap the valve and add or release air as needed. Or visit The MIKE Shop of your choice-we're happy to check it for you.

Does my tire warranty influence my rotation schedule?

Tire manufacturers know that tire rotation is important for even tread wear. Tire mileage warranties are most often set by the manufacturers with tire rotations included. Failing to rotate your tires may void your tires manufacturer warranty.