Tire Talk: When To Replace

August 11, 2017 · 2 min read

So, it’s getting close to the time to replace your tires, and you don’t know what to do. Rest easy! Here are some tips and facts and tricks for replacing your tires.

There’s no real way to know exactly how long a tire will last for. There are a lot of factors that go into the ageing of a tire, like the design of the tire itself, the habits of the driver, the climate, the condition of the roads, and the amount of care put into taking care of the tires. A good age to keep in mind is five years - that is, if the tires are cared for and inspected by a professional at least once a year. Ten years is the absolute maximum you should have the same set of tires on your car. Even if they look okay, they’re still too old to drive on and should really be replaced.

Some things that can damage your tires include:

Physical factors:

Age
Wear and damage

Road conditions:

Potholes, obstacles,curbs ,sharp objects, speed bumps

Climate:

Extreme temperatures
Rain, snow and ice
Oil, grease and other chemicals
Strong sunlight and ozone

Driving habits:

Speeding
Quick starts and emergency braking
Driving on damaged roads
Failure to notice a change in handling, noise or vibration
Failure to consult a professional when something changes

Neglecting basic tire maintenance:

Air pressure
Not routinely checking for wear or damage
Alignment and rotation
Neglecting to get a professional tire inspection in the event a tire has been impacted or sustained damage
Not balancing tires after they are installed
Improper tire storage
Use of sealants that have not been approved

Improper usage:

Using summer tires on snow and ice
Mixing tire types
Using tires on damaged wheels
Using wheel and rim sizes that are not compatible
Fitting tires that do not have a speed capability and load index at least equal to or higher than those originally specified by the vehicle manufacturer
Reinflating a tire that has been run flat or seriously under inflated
Using a spare tire of a different size at speeds in excess of 50 mph

Make sure your tires are healthy and you’ll be able to drive on them for longer. If you need your tires replaced, it is possible to do it yourself but you should stop into your dealer or local shop to get them looked at and replaced by a professional if possible. The technicians at King Volkswagen will be happy to help you with anything tire-related, including finding the best fit for your vehicle and your budget.

Happy driving!

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Jul 12, 2023 in Service

Summer Service Savings Galore Here At King Volkswagen! | Gaithersburg, MD

King Volkswagen is serving up savings this month and in this week’s blog we are so excited to share our brand-new service specials with you! It’s no secret we love service here at King Volkswagen and we want to help you love it too! That’s why we have a pretty impressive lineup of service deals come at you. The best part? We are confident that we have something for everyone’s needs. That means whether you’re looking for something as simple as an oil change or maybe something a little more complex, we have some big ways for you to save! So before you hit the road for some summer fun, check out our offers below! Don’t see what you’re looking for? Don’t stress it, we have even more service specials right on our service specials page! So head over there to find the deal that works best for you and be sure to print out the coupon you plan to use. Once you’ve done that, be sure to schedule a service appointment so you can skip the line and get back to enjoying your day quicker! King Volkswagens July Service Specials: VW Synthetic Oil Change Offer For Only $99.95* Scheduled Maintenance Special $20 OFF* Tire Rotation For Only $10 (with any oil change service)* Four Wheel Alignment 10% OFF* And MANY MORE!!! * All Offers Expire 07/31/2023. See our Service Specials Page for full offer details.

Apr 07, 2022 in Service

King Volkswagen Has April Service Specials To Put A Spring In Your Ride | Gaithersburg, MD

Finding the right service center with a team you can trust with your vehicle can be difficult. But, King Volkswagen wants you to rest assured that when you choose to service your vehicle with our team, your vehicle is in great hands. In fact, we will treat your vehicle as if it were royalty! And now until the end of April, your car can get the royal treatment for less! Take a look at our Special Service Offers below and schedule your service appointment with the King VW Team today! King Volkswagen’s April Service Specials: VW Synthetic Oil Change For Only $89.95* Scheduled Maintenance $20.00 Off* Tire Rotation $10.00 Off (with any oil change service)* Four Wheel Alignment %10 Off* Wiper Blade Replacement $5.00 Off* Brake Special Receive $50.00 Instant Rebate* And MANY more! * All Offers Expire 4/30/2022. See our Service Specials Page for full offer details.

Jul 20, 2021 in Service

What’s That Smell? Don’t Ignore These 7 Smells | Gaithersburg, MD

Owning a vehicle can sometimes be a pain, especially when it comes to smells that you might not realize are clear indications that things are going wrong. This week, we are bringing you seven important smells that you’ll want to do something about. Take a look at our guide below and if something smells a little funky currently, hurry on in to see our team today, and let’s get your vehicle in-check and ready to hit the road for one last summer road trip! You Smell: Rotten eggs What It Is: This could mean that your catalytic converter is having issues. And hydrogen sulfide could be making its way into your exhaust. This could simply be a fuel injection issue, or your cat is failing. Unfortunately, this could end up being a pretty expensive repair and lastly, if you smell the rotten eggs when your vehicle is turned off, that funky smell could just be some old food stuck under your seat or an old gym bag! You Smell: Hot oil What It Is: The easiest smell of all to diagnose is hot oil. This happens when oil leaks onto your exhaust manifold which is hot due to your engine running. This smell is not pleasant so you’ll probably notice it right away! Take a look around your engine and vehicle to look for leaks. Also, keep an eye out for any smoke. If you can find the leak, try to stem it, then bring your car to the shop as soon as possible. You Smell: Sulfur What It Is: When you smell sulfur in your car, it’s safe to assume that it is gear lubricant leaking from either the manual transmission, transfer case, or differential housing. Sulfur compounds in the oil are used as extreme pressure lubricants for gears and after being in use for a while, these substances can get smelly and gross. Check for those oily puddles under your vehicle and if you notice any, bring your ride in for a check-up! You Smell: Maple syrup What It Is: While this one might sound delicious, it’s most definitely toxic! The coolant has ethylene glycol in it, which makes this smell a bit concerning. If you’re smell maple syrup, that means there’s a leak somewhere and you’ll want to stop in for our technicians to take a look! This can be a simple fix but it’s best to have a certified technician treat this. You Smell: A gas station What It Is: If you’re not sitting next to a gas station, this is an issue. If your car is on the older side (i.e. before 1980) then you could be smelling gas when you turn your vehicle off and have no issue. But, if your vehicle is newer, the smell of gasoline could mean a leak from your fuel injection line or fuel tank vent hose. Either way, it’s best to play this safe and stop in to see our team for a service check-up. Got Smells? Schedule With Us Today!