Los Altos Auto Repair

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THE BARKING LOT

"Welcome to "The Barking Lot".  An  Automotive Education Blog. Each week, Duke, Brandy, and Cayenne open their book of knowledge to bark with you on automotive repair and maintenance.  Check back often to see how they can teach an old dog new tricks and even some of you young dogs, too. Never stop learning!"

 

OUR BLOG POSTS WITH THUMBNAILS INCLUDE A VIDEO! CLICK THE BLOG TITLE TO ACCESS AND PLAY IT.

Yearly Archives: 2026

Detective Cayenne On Automotive Work in Los Altos

 

cay

A dog's nose can find anything; I mean, look at my schnoz. I could find anything with this.....lol.  Hi Cayenne here and today we are going to do some detective work for automotive diagnosing.  So let's get barkin and get out our magnifying glass to do some sleuthing.

There's a reason we use the word “diagnose” when we talk about fixing cars in Los Altos. Figuring out what's wrong with your vehicle has a lot of similarities to figuring out what's wrong with someone who is ill. Vehicles are a mass of complex systems that can produce a variety of symptoms when something goes wrong. As with human diagnoses, a single symptom may indicate a number of problems, and determining the exact cause requires training and experience.

Sometimes the diagnosis of your vehicle's trouble comes down to trial and error. This can be frustrating for Los Altos drivers because time and money are on the line. You may feel you should only be paying for repair work. Of course, you only want to pay for the right repair – and a proper diagnosis is part of getting it right. Like at the doctor's office — some of what you pay for is the doctor's time and effort to figure out what's wrong with you, not for the actual cure.

The good news is that Los Altos drivers can do a lot to help their friendly and knowledgeable service advisors at Allied Auto Works figure out what's wrong with their vehicle. Again, the medical office is a good analogy. The more information you can give your doctor about where it hurts, when it hurts and how it hurts, the more quickly he will be able to help you. In the same way, the more you can tell your Allied Auto Works service technician about when the problem occurs, what is sounds like, how often it occurs, where it occurs, etc., the more efficiently he will be able to get you back on the road.

Good preventive maintenance goes a long way toward keeping your car out of a Los Altos repair shop, but if you need to take it there, good communication will get you back on the road quickly.

I leave you with this thought on being a detective,

"When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." ~ Sherlock Holmes

Cayenne

cay

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Brandy Says Take Time for Differential Service at Allied Auto Works

brandy

Hello Los Altos - let's talk differentials. Brandy here and if you have a rear-wheel drive vehicle, your differential is on the back axle. With front-wheel drive cars, the differential is up front. All-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive vehicles have three differentials - front, rear and in the middle. So you see, you've got a differential (or two or three) and it needs service now and then.  Let's get barkin'!!!

What does your vehicle's differential do? Well, it compensates for the speed difference between your outer and inner wheels during a turn. Using the dimensions of a typical car, let's compare the distance the wheels travel from the start of a turn to its completion.

The inside wheel travels about 12.6 feet/3.8 meters. How much farther does the outside wheel travel? About 18.8 feet/5.7 meters – over 6 feet/1.9 meters more. This means the outer tire has to rotate 9 times in the same amount of time that the inner tire rotates only 6 times, so the outer tire has to spin faster to keep up. The differential makes this possible.

The gears in the differential are cooled and lubricated by differential fluid. It's this fluid that needs to be serviced. Small bits of the gears break off and are suspended in the differential fluid. The dirtier the fluid, the faster the gears wear.

So your Allied Auto Works technician drains the old fluid out and replaces it with fresh fluid. Some differentials also require a special additive to be added at this time.

So, when should you have your vehicle's differential serviced? Intervals vary from vehicle to vehicle – and may be as short as 15,000 miles/24,000 km – so check your vehicle owner's manual or ask us at Allied Auto Works. If you frequently drive with heavy loads, tow a trailer or drive in hot CA conditions, you may need to change differential fluid more often. Servicing your differential on schedule at Allied Auto Works can save a pricey replacement down the road.

Now that Summer is officially here, I leave you with this quote,

"If you're not barefoot, then you're overdressed." ~ unknown

Brandy

brandy

Give us a call.

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Duke's Advice On What to Do After You Buy a Used Vehicle in Los Altos

duke

 

Duke here and what a beautiful day it is!  So you've bought a used vehicle in the Los Altos area. Do you know what you're getting? It is hard to know what you're getting because people in the Los Altos area sell vehicles for different reasons. Think about why you've sold vehicles. Did you just want something new or were there problems that you wanted to run away from? Maybe it was a little of both.  So today I will bark to you about "Did you buy a used car, NOW WHAT????"  Let's unveil the possibilities.

Used vehicles in CA with 25,000 to 35,000 miles/40,000 to 55,000 km on them are often lease returns, corporate program cars or rental fleet vehicles. Most Los Altos buyers feel pretty confident about these because they're newer and may still be under warranty. But how well have they been maintained?

Los Altos drivers who are planning to own a vehicle for a long time will keep up on auto maintenance so that they can avoid repairs down the road. But, if you know you're only going to have the vehicle for two or three years, you may not be so committed to maintenance. It would be easy to think that skipping an oil change here and there wouldn't ruin a brand new engine. Then it'll be someone else's problem when it comes time to pay for the damage.

It is very tempting for Los Altos drivers to skip the 30,000 mile/50,000 km service if they know they'll be turning in their leased vehicle in a couple of months.

If the vehicle didn't come with maintenance records, Los Altos used vehicle buyers need to assume the worst. Most likely the coolant system and transmission have never been serviced. The cabin air filter has probably not been changed and a fuel system cleaning at Allied Auto Works may be in order.

You'll want Allied Auto Works to check the A/C, battery, engine air filter, serpentine belt and hoses. A used vehicle inspection at Allied Auto Works is well worth the cost.

And if your “new” used vehicle has been driven an even longer distance, an inspection is even more important. Check your owner's manual or talk with your service advisor at Allied Auto Works about what should have been done. Please don't forget the timing belt; that can be very expensive if it fails.

Allied Auto Works will help you with a plan to take care of services and get the rest caught up. If your budget won't allow you to take care of everything right away, we can help you prioritize your needs and get it taken care of over the next several months. And remember to keep your maintenance records. They'll help you get top dollar on the CA used vehicle market when it's time for you to sell.

I leave you with funny used car joke,

A guy looking in the classified for a used car...

sees a new Corvette listed for $50. Thinking it's a misprint, he decides to go check it out anyway. Arriving at the sellers residence, it's a dream car, not a scratch on it and it runs great.

"Ma'am, I want to buy this car. But the paper said it was only $50, what do you really want for it?"

"That's right, $50 and it's yours!"

"Excuse me for being nosy, ma'am, but why are you selling it so cheap? Is it stolen or something?"

"No, it's my husbands car. He ran off with his young secretary last month, and two days ago I got a telegram from him saying to sell the Corvette and send him the money!"

DUKE

duke

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Cayenne's Idle Talk about Engines (Causes of Rough Engine Idling)

cay

Hey, it's Cayenne, and today we are going to have an idle bark talk about rough engine idling.  I don't know about you, but when I go for a drive, and start to slow down at a stoplight, the vehicle's idle should be smooth as silk.  But what happens when the engine is missing or idling roughly? That's your engine's way of telling you, "Hey, I've got something wrong with me, and if you don't get someone to find out what it is, I may not start the next time you turn the key."  That's not good, so let's get barkin' and stop staying idle on this subject!

You can help your service facility by describing the problem in detail.  Here's a list of things to make a note of:

  • When is the problem happening, when the engine is cold or when it's been running for a while?
  • Does the rough idling occur when I'm accelerating or when I'm going at a steady speed?
  • Does it happen at high speeds?  Does it happen at low speeds? Does it happen at both?

Make sure you describe the problem in as much detail as possible, as it will help a technician diagnose it.

One of the first things they'll check is how the spark plugs are firing.  Modern iridium plugs are supposed to last a long, long time.  But they CAN eventually wear out.  Inspecting the firing end can help the technician identify the root cause of the problem.  Corroded or worn-out spark plug wires can also contribute to an idling irregularity. 

There are other potential problem spots, too.  The technician may check the ignition coil, timing, piston rings, valves, and cylinder walls. 

If the air-to-fuel mixture isn't correct, it may affect how smoothly your vehicle runs.  Your service facility is equipped with diagnostic tools that help pinpoint the problem.  Once that idle is smoothed out to the way it used to be, you'll be the smoothest operator on the road.

I leave you with this smooth quote,

"Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast" — Navy SEALs Mantra

Cayenne

cay

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Brandy's Trip Inspection at Allied Auto Works in Los Altos

brandy

Hi, it's Brandy, and you know Los Altos area drivers and their dogs love their vehicles. And one of the most enjoyable things about them is taking a road trip. Freedom from daily schedules, new sights and the open road – it's great! But there's nothing like vehicle trouble to bring the fun to a grinding halt.  Today I will bark about getting your vehicle ready for a road trip because dogs love trips and you wouldn't want to disappoint us now.  So let's get barkin' and get this show on the road!!!!

Now Los Altos drivers can't always avoid problems, but you can take steps to reduce the probability of getting sidelined on your trip. The first step is to look at your trip plan from your vehicle's perspective. What kind of roads will you be traveling – winding CA byways? Purple mountain majesties or fruited plains? What weather conditions are you likely to encounter? How far will you travel each day? How much weight will you be hauling – passengers and luggage? Pulling a trailer, a rooftop carrier, or ATVs? Will it be dusty?

Prepared with answers to these questions, you can schedule a trip inspection at Allied Auto Works in Los Altos to help you prepare your vehicle for your big adventure. Many of our Los Altos customers prefer to go through this exercise with their friendly, knowledgeable service advisor to get their input and ensure they haven't overlooked anything.

A great place for Los Altos drivers to start is with the tires. Inspect them for tread wear and proper inflation. Is it time to rotate your tires? Replace them? Are they up to the job? You wouldn't want to drive regular highway tires on a muddy off-road adventure on CA rock-crawling trails. 

Shocks and struts play a major role in both driving comfort and safety. If they need to be replaced, you'll really be glad you did once you hit the road. Is it time for a wheel alignment? Fighting a car that's pulling to one side all day can be tiring and dangerous. 

And don't forget your brakes. Any strange noises, grabbing, soft or hard pedal feel? If there is any doubt, get a brake inspection at Allied Auto Works in Los Altos before you leave.

Moving under the hood, have a belts-and-hoses inspection. If something is excessively worn or near failure, the stress of a long road trip might just be the straw that breaks the camel's back. Talk to your service advisor at Allied Auto Works.

Your engine air filter will be inspected. Your car's air filter processes 12,000 times as much air as the fuel the engine burns. If the filter needs to be changed, you'll notice improvements on your trip.

How close are you to your next oil change? Will you be able to complete your trip before it's due? If not, just get it taken care of before you go so that you don't need to interrupt your trip. In fact, a full-service oil change at Allied Auto Works is a great idea because they will top off all your fluids and check for any other maintenance items due, such as transmission or cooling system service.

Do you notice any unusual odors in your vehicle? If so, it could be as harmless as a dirty cabin air filter. But if it's an exhaust leak, it could be fatal for Los Altos drivers and their passengers on a long trip. Of course, you'll want to be comfortable, so get an air conditioning service if you aren't getting the cold air you’re used to. 

Are your wiper blades still working well? If not, that is a quick and inexpensive fix for Los Altos drivers. Headlamps are often overlooked when planning for a trip. If you haven't changed the bulb in six months or so, replacement bulbs will really light up the night on your trip and provide the necessary after-sundown visibility.

All the items mentioned are part of any good vehicle maintenance plan. These are things that you want to take care of anyway, but they all become more important as you plan for your trip.

They will always save you money in the long run and may prevent inconvenient stops and delays on your trip. After all, you wouldn't want to miss the world's largest ball of string, would you?  Me, I looking for the world's largest BONE!

BRANDY 

brandy

 

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Duke Has Braking News: Keep Your Stopping Power

duke

Hey, Duke here, and Richard Petty once told me, “You've gotta have good brakes. If you've got good brakes, you can keep yourself out of a lotta trouble.”  So today, we are going to put the pedal to the metal and bark about brakes!

 A regular brake inspection should be on every Los Altos driver's maintenance schedule. An inspection by your service advisor at Allied Auto Works will check your brake system and let you know if there are any problems.

Of course, if you're having trouble with your brakes, get your car into Allied Auto Works in Los Altos right away. Here are some symptoms for Los Altos drivers to watch for:

  • Low or spongy brake pedal
  • Hard brake pedal
  • A brake warning light that stays on
  • Constantly squealing or grinding brakes
  • Vibrations or clunking sounds when you apply your brakes

If you are experiencing any of these, it's time to get your brakes checked. Talk to your friendly and knowledgeable service advisor at Allied Auto Works .

There are two types of brakes: disc and drum. Disc brakes have a rotor that's attached to the axle. Calipers straddle the rotor, kind of like the brakes on a bicycle.

Drum brakes are most common on the back wheels. Both types have pads or shoes that press against the brakes and slow the vehicle. Brake pads and shoes are made out of very tough material to withstand the heat and force generated when stopping your vehicle. Eventually, they wear out with use, become too thin, and need to be replaced at Allied Auto Works. 

If the brake pads wear away completely, you can damage the rotors. The calipers can grind grooves in the rotor. Then the rotor must either be resurfaced or replaced. That's not only expensive but also dangerous because your vehicle won't stop as quickly. Sometimes rotors warp or crack and must be replaced.

A brake service at Allied Auto Works will also include a check of your brake fluid. When the brakes are applied, the fluid pressure activates the brake pads or shoes. Not enough fluid means not enough pressure to brake properly. Also, water builds up in the brake fluid over time, leading to corrosion, leaks, and brake damage; with hard use, the brakes could severely fade or even fail. Los Altos  drivers should change the brake fluid when their vehicle manufacturer recommends it to avoid these problems.

Come in to Allied Auto Works for a brake inspection before damage occurs. You can schedule an appointment by calling 6509687227.

I leave you with a quote,

It is amazing how many drivers, even at the Formula One Level, think that the brakes are for slowing the car down. ~Mario Andretti

Duke

duke

 

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Cayenne Says Go Big or Go Home: Upsize Your Wheels at Allied Auto Works

cay

Cayenne here today on this beautiful spring day!  The saying goes, if you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch.  Some say the same things about their wheels.  Big is better, they say, or go home.  We will bark about big wheels today, so let's get rollin'!

A lot of us Los Altos drivers like our vehicles to reflect our personalities. We're picky about color and body style. We'll customize anything from floor mats to window tints to license plates. One popular way for CA motorists to customize a vehicle is to get new wheels.

Wheels come in thousands of designs. Custom wheels can add personality, style, or sass to a vehicle. Many of these customizations involve getting a bigger wheel.

Fifteen- or 16-inch wheels used to be the factory standard, but today, because many Los Altos drivers like the look of larger wheels, many vehicles are available with 17- or 18-inch wheels. Optional 20-inch or larger wheel packages are also available in Los Altos.

If you want to upsize the wheels on your current vehicle, however, you should know it's not a do-it-yourself project. There are factors to consider to ensure your wheel change doesn't jeopardize your vehicle's safety.

First, you need to understand rolling diameter. The rolling diameter is the overall height of a tire. If you increase the rolling diameter of your tires when you upsize your wheels, you may need to modify your suspension to ensure the larger tires fit within the space and don't rub in turns or over bumps. If that's more work than you're willing to do or pay for, then you need to maintain rolling diameter when you change your wheels.

It's not as hard as it sounds. Imagine a doughnut. That doughnut represents rolling diameter, so you can't make the doughnut bigger. However, you can increase the size of the doughnut hole. That gives you a bigger wheel. Tires with reduced sidewalls on larger wheels will preserve your rolling diameter.

Rolling diameter is important because your wheels and tires still need to fit inside the wheel well. Also, your speedometer, odometer and anti-lock brakes are all programmed to work with a specific rolling diameter. You'll throw off the readings on your speedometer and odometer if you change your rolling diameter. And for your anti-lock brakes to work properly, your rolling diameter must be within 3% of the factory recommendations. While some Los Altos drivers who upsize may not be concerned about meter readings, throwing off the brake system is a serious safety hazard.

Further, many vehicles in Los Altos are now equipped with electronically controlled suspensions. Changing the rolling diameter will negatively affect this system as well, which can lead to a less smooth ride and lower handling performance as well as safety concerns.

Your friendly and knowledgeable Allied Auto Works tire professional may be able to reprogram your vehicle's computer to adjust for a larger (or smaller) rolling diameter.

So to maintain rolling diameter, you'll need tires with a shorter sidewall. These tires will be designed to give the sidewalls the strength they need to maintain ride quality. Consider that doughnut again. As the wheel (the doughnut hole) gets bigger, the sidewall of the tire (the width of the remaining doughnut) gets shorter. That means the tire holds less air. The sidewalls have to be made stiffer to compensate for the decreased air capacity.

To improve their strength, the shorter tires will also be slightly wider than your previous tires. But this means you'll have a larger contact patch, or, in other words, a larger area of tire making contact with the road. This can actually increase your handling performance and decrease braking distances. Many CA auto buffs customize their wheels just for this reason—they want the improved performance rather than looks or style. If you drive a truck or an SUV around Los Altos, you might be interested in the extra control an upsized wheel can provide.

Now, that larger contact patch still has to fit inside your wheel well without rubbing when cornering or when bouncing over bumps or potholes on Los Altos roads. This is termed fitment, and you may need a few adjustments so your new wheels will fit properly. You may need spacers so that your brakes will fit inside the new wheels, as well.

Allied Auto Works tire professionals are experts at mounting, adjusting, and customizing wheels. They can give you a lot of good auto advice on wheels and tires, including how they affect driving performance and car care. They can help you select wheels and tires that will suit your driving needs and habits.

For example, if you drive off-road around Los Altos, you should consider a higher profile tire. This type of tire will protect your rims from damage while you're bouncing over rocks. Or, if you tow a trailer or haul heavy loads around CA, you'll want a tire with a load rating equal to your demands. Your friendly and knowledgeable Allied Auto Works tire professional can help you with these types of concerns.

Once you've got your new wheels, have your service advisor at Allied Auto Works see if you need an alignment. You don't want those new wheels and your higher performance compromised by poor alignment. Get the most out of your investment by getting the work done right at Allied Auto Works in Los Altos.

Last but not least, remember tire pressure. With larger wheels, your new tires will hold less air and they'll need slightly higher pressure. You'll need to stay on top of preventive maintenance and keep them properly inflated. Be sure to check their pressure at least once a week. If you don't keep your tires at their correct pressure, they will wear out really fast. It will also affect your braking and handling performance.

So smile and show off your vehicle around CA. Make it all yours. Bumper stickers, vanity license plates, custom wheels — strut your stuff!

Cayenne

cay

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Brandy Wants To Know, Is Your Los Altos Driving Severe?

brandy

Hello Brandy here and did you know that people near Los Altos, CA, often ask Allied Auto Works how often they should have a particular service done. It's a great thing to ask. You can look at your owner's manual or have your Los Altos, CA, service advisor at Allied Auto Works look up your vehicle in a service database. What you find is often a surprise to people – there are actually two service schedules. 

One is the regular schedule and the other is the severe service schedule. Service intervals are shorter on the severe service schedule. When asked, most folks in Los Altos will say that their driving is normal and that the 'regular' schedule probably applies to them. 'Severe service' sounds pretty extreme – 'I don't drive like that.'

Well, here is what the manufacturers say constitutes severe driving conditions; you can draw your own conclusions.

  • Most of your trips are less than four miles (six and a half kilometers).
  • Most of your trips are less than ten miles (16 km) and outside temperatures are below freezing.
  • The engine is at low speed most of the time – not on the highway. You operate your vehicle in dusty areas.
  • You regularly tow a trailer or carry heavy loads.
  • You drive with a car-top carrier.
  • You do a lot of stop-and-go driving.
  • You drive in very hot or very cold weather.

If that's severe driving, what constitutes regular driving? Well, it would look something like this: I live somewhere with moderate temperatures all year round – I'm thinking San Diego here. And I live close to a freeway on-ramp. Everywhere I need to go is right off the freeway, at least 4 miles (6.5 km) from my home. I can drive at a steady 60 miles per hour (100 kph) when I'm on the freeway.

I don't know about you, but that doesn't sound like my normal driving. It sounds more like ideal conditions. I live where it gets hot in the summer and cold in the winter. I run short errands around Los Altos. Occasionally, we load up for family trips.

For me, normal driving includes elements of severe service driving. So here's what I tell people: think about how you drive, where you live, where you go, and what you expect to do with your vehicle in the near future.

Picture a line with 'regular' on one end and 'severe' on the other, and make a judgment on where you fall. If your regular oil change recommendation is 5,000 miles (8,000 km) and the severe service recommendation is 3,000 miles (5,000 km), when should you change your oil? For me, it's closer to 3,000 miles (5,000 km). For my wife, it's closer to 5,000 miles (8,000 km). Your Los Altos, CA auto service advisor at Allied Auto Works will be happy to discuss this with you and help you sort it out.

Just a quick word on why severe service intervals are shorter. One has to do with heat. That can either be external heat from the weather, engine and transmission heat from stop-and-go driving, or working extra hard, moving heavy loads, or towing. The heat causes fluids like oil and transmission fluid to break down more quickly, making them less effective.

Another factor is water. Moisture naturally collects in fluids as they cool. In your motor oil, for example, if you don't drive long enough for the oil to fully heat up, the water won't evaporate. Water in the oil can lead to the buildup of damaging sludge.

If you live where the air is dusty or polluted, fluids will become contaminated and filters will get dirtier more quickly.

So make an honest evaluation of your driving conditions. You've made the commitment to take care of your vehicles, so it only makes sense to follow the right schedule.

I leave you with this scheduling quote,

"What gets scheduled gets done." — Anonymous

Brandy

brandy

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Duke and The Maintenance Mindset

duke

Did you know that dogs have a "maintenance mindset?" Hi Duke here, and you probably want to know what that means.  Dogs often exhibit a "maintenance mindset" in that they thrive on routine, predictability, and consistent care, which support their physical and mental well-being.  People, on the other hand, do not always have a "maintenance mindset" when it comes to their vehicles.  So today, I will bark about having a mindset for maintenance... let's get focused and barkin'!!!

When it comes to their vehicles, some Los Altos residents don't have a maintenance mindset. They know they need to take care of their cars, but it's really hard to get them to remember to do it. Los Altos drivers generally accept that many things in life require regular maintenance, but just may not have applied it to their vehicles.

Here's something that will help: The key to good vehicle maintenance starts with the oil change. Think about it – when you go in for a full-service oil change, your friendly and knowledgeable Allied Auto Works service advisor will check all your fluids. If one of them is low, he can look for the reason. If your serpentine belt is cracked, he'll see it and let you know. Corroded battery cable – they've got you covered. And at Allied Auto Works, we check whether your vehicle manufacturer has recommended any services at your current mileage.

The oil change becomes kind of a focal point, a way to check in to see what needs to be done. The fact is that vehicle inspection surveys consistently reveal that over 80% of vehicles have one or more unperformed repair or maintenance services. Vehicles are generally very reliable and can take a lot of abuse and neglect. But you have to remember that vehicles are complicated machines. There are parts and fluids that are critical to their operation. Without them, the vehicle won't run at all.

So when you come into Allied Auto Works for an oil change, you get advice from your friendly, knowledgeable service advisor and reminders about recommended services so you can avoid a total failure. And remember that your friendly and knowledgeable Allied Auto Works service advisor can help you work out a maintenance and repair plan, prioritizing and scheduling the work to make sure you and your family are safe and to help you avoid expensive breakdowns.

I leave you with this thought,

A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it is not open.

Duke

duke

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Cayenne Is Not Getting Any Younger And Neither Are Your Tires (Aging Tires)

cay

 

Cayenne here and can you think of anyone who enjoys aging, even us canines?  Wrinkles where you don't want them, gray hair, eyes that won't focus anymore,  hearing loss, and no stamina.   Now, I must say, my nose is still everything at 16 years of age (that's dog years), so it makes up for my other senses, which are not as acute as they were when I was a young pup.  Where am I going with all this.....your tires.

Believe it or not, your tires age, too, and they don't get better the older they get.  And here's the important thing to know, even if they can still pass a tread depth test, they may simply be too old to be safe 

Here's the best way to understand this.  Have you ever found an old deck of playing cards with a rubber band wrapped around them?  Try stretching the rubber band.  SNAP! It's all cracked and brittle.  And you haven't stressed that rubber one bit since the time you put them in that drawer.

Now you know what's happening to your tires.  Rubber ages.  Just like us, the day we come into the world, we start to go downhill (no pun intended).  Oh, engineers can make a tire last longer than ever before.  But that gas that keeps us alive—oxygen—seems to love to chemically mix with some components in rubber.  Oxidation causes rubber to become hard and brittle.  The rubber band test.

Is there an age test that can tell you when a tire is too old to roll? Well, not really.  They don't all age the same.  Hot climates can make tires wear out more quickly.  Some experts say a tire can last up to 10 years, but it should be inspected every year after age 5.  Others say tires should have an expiration date of 6 years.

Since no one would ever ask a tire its age, how do you know how old one is? Believe it or not, tires made after the year 2000 have a date code stamped on either the inside or the outside of the sidewall.  It's a four-digit number; the first two tell you the week, the second two tell you the year. So if it has the number 1916, it was made in the 21st week of 2016. 

Another way to find out whether your tires still have enough life left is to have your vehicle service facility inspect them.  They look for signs of age, such as developing cracks in the rubber, the condition of the sidewalls, and, of course, that old standby: tread.  If it's time to "retire" them, discuss options with your service advisor.

I leave you with this funny quote about aging

"The older I get, the more clearly I remember things that never happened." — Mark Twain

Cayenne

cay

Allied Auto Works
2073 Grant Road
Los Altos, CA 94024
6509687227
alliedautoworks.com

Allied Auto Works Grant Road is committed to ensuring effective communication and digital accessibility to all users. We are continually improving the user experience for everyone, and apply the relevant accessibility standards to achieve these goals. We welcome your feedback. Please call Grant Road near Wooland Acre's - The Highlands (650) 968-7227 if you have any issues in accessing any area of our website.