TIRES

Tires are the single most important safety feature on your car. They are the only thing that connects the car to the road, and life-saving technologies like antilock brakes and electronic stability control cannot do their job if the tires don't have a good grip on the pavement.

As the adage goes, nothing lasts forever. Car owners still need to replace their tires a few times or more throughout the life of a typical vehicle. Despite advances in longer-lasting tires, actual tread life will vary by car type, tire type (such as all season or high performance), driving aggressiveness, and even road and weather conditions. Proper maintenance and responsible driving can maximize the mileage in a set of tires.

We offer these services to help you prolong the life of your tires.

Alignments
Wheel alignment (or simply alignment) is standard car maintenance that adjusts the angles of the wheels to match the manufacturer's specifications. With proper wheel alignment, the vehicle's suspension and steering systems operate correctly, reducing tire wear.
Alignment is one of the more complex tire services that experienced mechanics should handle. At Forest Brook Automotive, our technicians use an alignment machine to adjust suspension angles that influence tire position and movement appropriately. We make changes while ensuring the steering wheel remains centered.

Balancing
Balancing, like alignment, is essential for a smooth ride and longer tire life. You may not know this, but the size, shape, and weight of your car and truck tires aren't the same. To counteract these differences and ensure all four tires are equal, manufacturers put metal weights on them.
Over time, damage, imperfections or blemishes in a vehicle tire or rim will make one section of the tire heavier. The result? You'll feel a wobbling or jumping when driving your car or truck. You may hear the bouncing, sense it in the floorboard or your seat, or feel it as you grip the steering wheel. If you look at your tires and notice a cupped or scalloped wear pattern, it's time to take your vehicle in for an evaluation and, if needed, balancing service. In addition to balancing when you notice problems, the team at Forest Brook Automotive recommends wheel balancing with each tire rotation or repair.

Tire Repairs
If a tire goes flat because of a puncture, we can repair it if the hole is in the tire tread and less than ¼-inch in diameter. It's also possible to save a tire with multiple tread punctures if the holes are at least 16-inches apart. It's tempting to try a quick fix like a tire plug or sealant on your own. We recommend using these D.I.Y. solutions only as an aid to get you to a professional auto repair shop.
Although Forest Brook Automotive mechanics are highly skilled, they'll tell you it's time to replace a tire with a sidewall puncture, tread separation, or significant cuts. If the tires are repairable, our certified technicians will make sure repairs are correct and complete, getting you back on the road with peace of mind.

Tire Inspection
When you bring your vehicle to Forest Brook Automotive for routine maintenance like an oil change, we recommend a tire inspection (including the spare tire). Our team checks the tire tread and sidewalls for irregular wear, cuts, cracks, scrapes, bulges, and snags. We also look for evidence of any punctures from nails, rocks, or other foreign objects. Stones and glass can easily embed in tires without causing an immediate flat. We'll remove this debris to prevent further damage and confirm tire inflation (air pressure) meets manufacturer guidelines.
We'll talk to you after the inspection about any problem areas and how to resolve them. For example, low air pressure, too much weight in the vehicle, and even long-term parking can cause tires to wear faster. It's important to note that seasonal changes can affect tire pressure. Cold air is lighter, and you may see tire pressure drop when winter sets in. Be sure to stop by Forest Brook Automotive if you need help checking tire condition.

Tire Rotation
We recommend rotating your vehicle tires, shifting their positions to ensure even tire wear and extended tire life. Some tire mileage warranties require regular rotation to remain valid.
The technicians at Forest Brook Automotive use appropriate rotation patterns. Tires on the vehicle's front axle have a different function than rear wheels. For example, a front-wheel drive car or truck relies more heavily on front tires compared to a rear-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle. Performance cars may experience more severe tire wear than a family S.U.V. Rotating the tires evens out any differences in wear. Your vehicle owner's manual will tell you how often to rotate your tires, but generally, plan on scheduling tire rotation after every 5,000 to 8,000 miles.

Once a need for new tires is determined, it is necessary to identify the best tires for your vehicle and driving demands. Look for tires that do well in tests for braking, handling, and resistance to hydroplaning. Winter traction should also be considered, if applicable. Let tread wear, ride comfort, noise, and rolling resistance be tiebreakers. Trust the tire experts at Forest Brook Automotive to help you choose the right tires for your vehicle.

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