It's that wonderful time of year again, when winter starts to wind down, and spring and summer are just around the corner. After a long, cold, harsh winter, there is nothing better than more sunshine and warmer days. Driving is especially better with no more cold, wet, and slippery roads. Driving also becomes less dangerous and less risky for those who have to commute day to day. So, if you’re going to be driving in the hot weather, be sure that your vehicle has the right set of tires.

Having the right set of tires for the summer is as important as having the right set of tires for the winter. If you're thinking about using your winter tires for summer, you are making a big mistake and taking a risk. Winter tire treads are designed with a softer compound that is only good for ...[more]

A highly important factor in ensuring the longevity of your tires is maintaining proper wheel alignment. A car with proper wheel alignment will give a smooth and comfortable ride that will be vibration-free and void of any drifting that can occur, when wheel alignment is incorrect.

When a car is being aligned, it is actually the suspension that is being tuned and not the wheels and tires. However, it is important how your car's wheels and tires are directed and angled in the end. There are four main parts to a proper wheel alignment: the caster, the camber, the toe, and the ride height:

Caster - Caster angle or is the angular displacement from the vertical axis of the suspension of a steered wheel in a car, bicycle or other vehicle, measured in the longitudinal direction. It is the angle between the pivot line (in a car - an imaginary ...[more]

If you ever had a flat tire, you know how stressful it can be. The stress is then compounded, if you have no knowledge on what to do or how to put your spare on. Regardless of a vehicle’s make or model, every vehicle is equipped with a spare tire. If your vehicle doesn't odds are the previous owner lost it or damaged it and never replaced it. A spare tire is like insurance. You don't need it, until something happens. In this blog we discuss the importance of having a good spare tire, as well as keeping it in good condition and ready to use in case of an emergency.

Even if you have an inflation device or fix-a-flat, having a spare tire will always be the best option for a flat tire. There are times when you get a flat, and all you need is a little more air or some fix-a-flat, but for the other times, when air and fix-a-flat won't do the job, ...[more]

     It's obvious that winter tires make an automobile easier and safer to drive in harsh winter climates. It also can be a confusing and difficult decision, when deciding which winter tires to buy for your vehicle. Getting optimum winter performance from your vehicle is important and also requires a little knowledge as to which tires best fit your vehicle.

What makes a winter tire different from any other tire?

The traditional "all season" tire balances dry pavement grip with wet and mild winter performance. However, severe cold can make the rubber compound on the tread brittle and reduce grip. The "M&S" and "M+S" found on some tires stands for "mud and snow". This doesn't mean it is a winter tire. This label only determines the tread depth not the tread compound or col ...[more]

    No one likes driving in the snow, especially during a winter storm. We all try to avoid it, but sometimes we can't, and we get caught in the middle of it. When this happens, it is important to know what to do and how to prepare yourself. The first thing you should do is decrease your speed and give yourself plenty of room to stop. Second, turn on your lights and windshield wipers. Finally, don't try to pass anyone on the road, even if you think your vehicle can handle the conditions. All vehicles including all wheel drive vehicles and trucks encounter problems on winter roads.

     It is important that we all be courteous and respectful to each other, when it comes to driving, especially in the winter. By using common sense and being respectful, w ...[more]

Winter can be a cruel and unpredictable season, with its cold temperatures and wet slippery snowfall. It makes everybody's life a little harder from keeping ourselves warm to shoveling our driveways. It gets especially cruel, when we have to commute in winter weather. Winter driving conditions can make roads slippery and dangerous for all who have to commute day to day. That's why it's important for those who have to commute to have good, reliable winter tires.

Winter can make roads dangerous with or without ...[more]

With the winter season quickly approaching, tire shops all around the country are being asked by customers, what is the difference between a snow tire and a winter tire? What kind of tires should I buy this winter season … snow tires or winter tires?

Winter Tires

• These tires are designed for clear roads with a minimal amount of snow and/or ice.
• Winter tires are engineered with a rubber compound that works well in colder weather.

Snow Tires

• These tires are designed for much heavier snow and or ice at the expense of dry road handling. Yes, snow tires don’t do as well on dry roads, but if you plan on driving around in ...[more]

Many people fail to understand the importance of getting your tires aligned at the point of purchase. A new tire is something that should last for as long as the rating. It also should give you top performance and a smooth ride. However, if you fail to take care of every tire on the car, they may not last too long and this can cost you money.

Professional Alignments

Many people bring their car in to our shop because they notice a tire or two that has uneven wear on it. In some cases, it can be from improper inflation. However, it also can mean that the car needs to have a professional alignment.

Take a look at the car and notice the condition of each tire. If you notice any tires that are worn on the sides, this means the tire has been run wit ...[more]

That’s right!  Make the right choice on which tires to purchase and you could save hundreds on gas.  Both Goodyear’s Assurance Fuel Max as well as Michelin’s Energy Saver product have what manufacturers call lower “rolling resistance.”  In short, rolling resistance is the amount of force it takes to push a tire down a road.  So the lower the rolling resistance, the less fuel you use.  According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, rolling resistance accounts for four percent of a vehicles fuel use in city driving and seven percent on the high ...[more]

Now that summer is here and school is out, many of our customers are getting ready for a summer road trips and vacations.  There are a lot of things to be done before going vacation, such as packing food and clothing, making sure your house is secure and making plans when you get to your destination.  But there is one thing that Dan’s American Tire wants you to put on your vacation prep list: have your car serviced and get your tires checked. 

Often people take the everyday working condition of their car and tires for granted.  People get in their vehicles, start them and expect them to go.  Day in and day out, your car may work reliably enough.  But a long road trip is very different than trips across town.  If your car has not been tuned up recently or your tires have not been checked, you may be heading out o ...[more]