Ultimate Tulsa Tire Shop Guide
The tires on your vehicles are a significant investment that deserve protection with regular preventative maintenance at Tate Boys Tire & Service. As the best tire shop in Tulsa, we provide professional, consistent service from highly qualified ASE-certified mechanics who make sure you receive the best tire repair and tire deals available.
Regular tire rotation and tire balancing are two of the most important ways to make your tires last and keep your car or truck safe on the road. Quality tire repair shops are able to fix a flat tire as well as advise you on the best tires to buy for your vehicle and your lifestyle.
Our team at Tate Boys has the experience and expertise to meet all auto care needs at affordable prices while providing exceptional customer service.
Protecting the Performance & Safety Of Your Tires
The technicians at Tate Boys use the latest technology to keep your tires in top condition for as long as possible. We can add routine tire inspections to your other maintenance checks to save you time and money, and catch minor problems before they become costly issues.
Tate Boys provides these tire and wheel services and more:
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) repairs
- Flat tire repairs
- Wheel alignments
- Tire balancing
- New tire installation
In addition to our complete range of expert tire services, we also want you to save money with us. Before you come in for your next appointment, be sure to check our coupon page for great deals on services such as alignments, oil changes, brake checks, and much more.
Rotating and Balancing Tires Is Key
Having these maintenance tasks done on a regular basis can help keep your tires in top condition. High-quality tires can be an investment, and maintenance can help you protect it.
Tire Rotation Service and Schedule
Each tire on your car or truck can wear at different rates, especially the front and rear tires. By rotating the tires from one position to another every time you have a tire inspection, you are making sure the tires wear as evenly as possible. This extends the life of all of your tires and ensures that the vehicle is stable on the road.
Worn tires can create a dangerous situation for you and your passengers, as well as everyone else on the road around you. A blowout of one of your tires can be deadly, especially at high speeds. Tires that are worn unevenly also strain your engine, which can lead to increased fuel consumption.
When you drive into our tire store for a tire inspection, your tires and wheels will be taken off and moved into new positions, depending on whether your car is a front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive. As our tire specialists are doing this, we are also checking for any other problems. In this way, major issues are being avoided in the future. If we recommend a tire replacement, our service staff will work with you to pick out the best tire for you.
Regular Tire Rotation Schedule
You should get your new tires rotated at 5,000 miles, and then stay on a 6,000- to 8,000-mile rotation after that. New tires wear more quickly due to their deeper tread, but after that initial period, the longer interval in between service is all that is necessary.
Rather than try to remember the schedule, though, make it a habit of getting your tires rotated whenever you have your oil changed.
Tire Balancing Service and Schedule
The tires on any vehicle will have wear and tear as a normal result of driving. Weight imbalances occur over time that may feel to the driver like vibrations in the steering wheel, on the seats, or on the floorboard. The vibrations will become more noticeable the faster the car is moving.
The tires are giving you messages with these vibrations. A steering wheel vibration can indicate that your front tire (or tires) are out of balance. Seat vibrations generally mean one or both of your rear tires are unbalanced. If these red flags aren’t addressed quickly, your tires will begin to wear even faster or more unevenly, plus your vehicle will begin to require more fuel to keep up with the worn tires.
The expert mechanics at Tate Boys will balance the tires on your vehicle to make sure the weight is evenly distributed on each wheel. We do this by removing the wheels/tire assemblies and using specialized balancing equipment to find where the imbalances are. Then we attach small weights on the rims to correct the imbalances and remount the tires.
Schedule for Balancing Tires
As mentioned above, out-of-balance tires can result in vibrations and poor gas mileage. But there are other signs that your tires need to be checked:
- A weight that used to be on the rim has fallen off.
- You’ve noticed uneven tire wear.
- You’ve had a flat tire repaired.
- You have new tire(s) installed.
- Your tires have not been balanced in a while.
Even if you don’t notice any of these signs, you should have your tires checked every two years at a minimum. If you frequently drive on unpaved or rough roads, gravel roads, or roads that are in poor repair, have them checked more often. And if you have your tires rotated, ask that they be balanced at that time, too.
Choosing New Tires
If it’s time to pick out new tires, you need to take some things into consideration before making the purchase. After all, this is a major investment and you want to make the right choice for your car and your budget.
Here are the first things to consider:
- How much can I afford?
- What type of tires is recommended for my vehicle?
- Do I want the tires to last 20,000 miles, 100,000 miles, or something in between?
- Should I just buy the same tire that is on the car now or upgrade to a more expensive tire?
The tire experts at Tate Boys will be able to help you answer these questions and help you select the tire that’s right for your driving habits and for the make and model of your vehicle.
Many cars come with an all-season tire on them from the manufacturer. These tires provide a basic all-around capability for all seasons of the year in all weather. But a basic capability might not be enough–or safe–if you live in snowy, icy climates. In those areas, it’s best to get snow tires for better traction.
All-season tires come in high-performance or grand touring models:
- High-performance tires provide better handling than standard all-season tires:
- They grip the road better
- They feel more “sporty” to drive
- They’re intended for more aggressive drivers in high-performance cars
- Grand touring tires are often called all-weather tires:
- They look more like regular all-season tires
- They ride better
All-weather tires, a subset of grand touring all-season tires, feature great snow traction while still offering the same performance of a conventional all-season tire.
As you pick out tires, depending on what you want and where you live, you may need to have two sets of tires. That will cost more initially, but each set will last longer because they will only be used for part of each year.
FAQs
How can I tell my tire size?
There are a few different places where you can quickly find this information. It will be in your vehicle’s owner’s manual, on the information sticker on your driver’s side door jamb, and on the sidewall of your tires themselves.You’ll see a series of letters and numbers listed for the tire information. This indicates everything you need to know about the tire, including the type of tire, size, etc. As an example, we’ll use: P235/60R18
P = Passenger tire (type of tire)
235 = The width, in millimeters, that is measured from sidewall to sidewall.
60 = The aspect ratio in percentage. Essentially this is how tall your tire’s profile is. So 60 means the tire’s height is 60% of the width.
R = Radial tire construction
18 = The rim diameter in inches.
So, if you are replacing your existing tires, just make sure that the type and size information for the new tires matches the information for your existing tires to ensure you get the right size.
How do I know when I need new tires?
Over time, through everyday driving, even the best tires will start to wear down. So, there are some specific things to look out for in the condition of your tires that will indicate it may be time to head to the tire shop.
These warning signs include:
- The tire tread is less than 4/32” deep
- Slices of cracks in the sidewall
- Foreign objects embedded in the tire
- Bulges, weak spots, or blisters
- The treadwear is uneven
It is critical to regularly inspect your tires to avoid any potential safety risks. Ignoring any of the above signs can result in a flat tire or even a blowout. If you notice any of these indicators, if your car is having trouble gripping the road, or if you are feeling increased vibration while driving, bring your vehicle to your closest Tate Boys location.
We can determine if having new tires installed is the safest call. If it is time for your tires to be replaced, we can help you select the best tires for your vehicle, driving needs, and road conditions at affordable prices.
You can also conveniently shop our inventory of tires online and select the Tate Boys location closest to you.
When should I have a tire rotation done?
Having your tires rotated is a very important aspect of preventative maintenance that can greatly help extend the life of your tires by promoting even treadwear. If your tires are relatively new, we recommend you have them rotated at 5,000 miles. This is because newer tires often wear faster. Past the 5,000 mile mark, you should have a tire rotation done every 6,000 to 8,000 miles.
A good habit to get into is to have your tires rotated each time you come in for an oil change. Regular tire rotations also give our technician an opportunity to check the tire pressure, visually inspect your tires for damage or excessive wear, and rebalance them if there is any vibration occurring.
What should I do if I have a flat tire?
First, don’t panic. This can be a stressful and extremely inconvenient situation, but it is something that can be easily handled. It is very important that you do not continue to drive on the flat tire. This can damage the tire even further and even damage your wheel.
If you experience a flat while driving, put your emergency road hazard lights on and slowly and safely pull over out of the way as soon as you can.
Once your vehicle is stationary, you have a few options. First, visually inspect the tire to determine the extent of the damage and what may be causing the leak. If it is minor, you may be able to use a portable air compressor to inflate the tire enough to get you to the closest tire shop.
If it is clear that the tire will not hold air, then you can either take off the damaged tire and put your spare tire on or call someone for assistance. In many cases, your vehicle insurance coverage also includes roadside assistance that you can use in this instance.
Once you can safely drive your vehicle, bring your flat tire to your closest Tate Boys location. You should not try to repair the tire yourself with a repair kit. This often leads to an inadequate repair that can jeopardize the integrity of the tire and your safety. Our tire experts will inspect the extent of the damage to the tire and properly repair the tire if possible.
How is a tire repair done?
Some punctures or lacerations in a tire will be able to be repaired, while some will not be. At Tate Boys, all tire repair work will meet the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s (RMA) guidelines for effective and safe tire repairs. These are the guidelines that outline how proper tire repairs must be done.
Tire repair will usually be done using one of two effective methods: a radial patch or a plug.
Radial Patch
This is a flat, thin piece of rubber that is used to repair the tire damage from the inside. “Radial” refers to the type of tire, which is the type on almost all vehicles on the road today. The tire must first be removed from the vehicle and the wheel itself to properly install these patches. Then, the patch is applied on the inside of the tire directly over the damage. The tire is then remounted onto the wheel and the patch will expand and meld to the tire’s rubber as the tire is reinflated.
Tire Plug
A tire plug is an inexpensive method of repair that can be done in a matter of minutes, without having to remove the tire from the wheel. For this repair, a piece of pliable rubber is inserted into the puncture from the outside of the tire. The rubber piece will then expand and prevent air from escaping from the tire.
Many technicians prefer tire plugs since they can last a long time, while others prefer radial patches.
A Combination Of the Two Methods
Sometimes, depending on the extent of the damage to the tire, a combination of both a patch and tire plug will be used to repair the tire effectively. Doing this will ensure the integrity of the tire’s rubber in the damaged area and that the tire will stay inflated.
How do I find a good tire shop in Tulsa?
When it comes to finding a tire store you can count on, you want to look for a place that has the experience, knowledge, and quality products to ensure your vehicle is safe and reliable to drive. You’ll find all of the above at any of your local Tate Boys Tire & Service locations.
Our team of tire experts can meet all of your new tire and tire service needs. From helping you pick out the best new tires for your vehicle and budget to preventative maintenance that will extend the life of your tires, we’ve got you covered. We carry the top brands in tires, including Goodyear and Firestone.
The ASE-certified technicians at Tate Boys can also perform any other vehicle service or repairs you may need, keeping your vehicle running its best, all at affordable pricing. Make sure to check out our latest promotions to help save even more money!