Sacramento Auto Repair

Having a spare tire is like having insurance — it's something you hope you never need, but it's indispensable when you do.

Imagine this scenario: you're driving along a remote stretch of highway near Sacramento, and suddenly, you hear that dreaded sound — a flat tire. Without a spare tire, your journey comes to a screeching halt. A spare tire is your lifeline in such situations, enabling you to quickly replace the damaged tire and get back on the road safely.

Different Types of Spare Tires

Full-Size Spare Tires: These are identical to your regular tires in size, type, and tread pattern. They offer the same performance and handling characteristics as your primary tires, making them the ideal replacement for long-term use.

Compact Spare Tires (Donut Spares): These are smaller and lighter than full-size tires, designed to save space and reduce weight. They are meant for temporary use only and typically have speed and mileage limitations. Donut spares are common in modern vehicles due to their compact nature.

Temporary/Space-Saver Spare Tires: Similar to compact spares, these are designed to be lighter and take up less space in your vehicle. They are also temporary solutions and come with restrictions on speed and distance.

Run-Flat Tires: Some vehicles come equipped with run-flat tires that are specially designed to maintain functionality even after a puncture. These tires allow you to continue driving for a limited distance at a reduced speed, giving you time to reach a service station or a safer location.

A spare tire is not just a convenience but a critical safety feature. If you unfortunately experience a flat, a spare tire allows you to continue your journey without being stranded. Changing a flat tire yourself or with roadside assistance reduces the risks associated with being stranded on the roadside and gets you back on the road, minimizing downtime and potential towing costs.

Whether it’s a full-size spare, a compact spare, or even a run-flat tire, having one ensures that you are prepared for unexpected flat tires. Remember, regular maintenance of your spare tire—checking its pressure and condition—is crucial to ensure it's ready when you need it most.

At Paul's Automotive in Sacramento, we are happy to make sure your vehicle is equipped with a spare tire suitable for your needs and vehicle specifications. Give us a call or visit our website to schedule an appointment. Stay safe and prepared on the road with Paul’s Automotive.

We all know what tires are but do we really fully appreciate what they do, how important they are and how they can tell us about potential issues with our vehicle.

Let’s first talk about what tires do.  Tires connect our vehicles to the road.  Everything literally rides on our tires.  The contact patch of the tire (roughly the six inches of tire that touch the road while we are driving)  carry us safely to wherever we are going.  Making sure your tires are properly maintained will enable you are able to safely drive your vehicle.  Your tires will also play a part in the comfort and ride of your vehicle.  Nice tall (fluffy) tires will provide a lot of cushion when driving on rough roads and give you a more comfortable ride.  Short and squatty tires will give you better handling when cornering at higher speeds.  The size and inflation of your tires are REALLY IMPORTANT too.   In addition to increased fuel usage overinflation and underinflation can cause your tires to wear unevenly and prematurely.  Wheels that are out of alignment can also cause uneven tire wear (edge wear) as well as wheels that are out of balance (patchy wear).

Most modern vehicles are equipped with TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) which will alert you to high/low pressure.  The information for the TPMS is provided by sensors located on or in your tires or wheels.  Sensors are battery operated.  Batteries will start to lose their power when the sensors are about 7-10 years old.  Aftermarket replacement sensors are available or you can also check the correct tire pressure for your vehicle by referencing the chart located on the driver’s side door jamb of the vehicle.

At Paul’s Autmotive we believe tires are so important for your safety we include a complimentary tire inspection with every service we do here.  As always, if you have any questions we are happy to help.  Give us a call or stop by the shop at your convenience.