Vancouver Tire Repair Shop
Discovering that your vehicle has a flat tire can quickly become an aggravating and inconvenient situation. That is why here at Gaynor’s Automotive, we strive to make tire repair service (as well as any other tire service that may be needed) as quick and easy as possible for our customers.
Whether you have a slow leak, an object embedded in your tire, or an issue with the valve stem, we provide professional tire repair you can rely on. Our ASE-certified tire experts will efficiently and effectively take care of the problem and have you back on the road safely and quickly.
If the tire damage is past the point of a safe and effective repair, we will recommend that the tire be replaced. When you need a tire store for new high-quality tires, our technicians can help you select the right option for your vehicle and budget.
Book your appointment now for tire service! Here at Gaynor’s Automotive, we are proud to be the top tire shop and auto repair center for Vancouver area drivers.
Professional Tire Repair vs DIY Tire Repair: The Importance of Leaving It to the Experts
Almost any sharp object on the road can cause a flat tire. Any puncture or damage to a tire will affect its performance, so proper tire repair is critical. An improperly repaired tire may fail when driven at a high speed, causing a dangerous loss of vehicle control.
Unless you have the experience and appropriate tools/materials, flat or damaged tires need to be repaired by qualified personnel to ensure that the tire’s structural integrity is properly restored. Trying to use a DIY patch kit or a product like Fix-a-Flat will not sufficiently repair the damage to the tire.
One of the reasons for this is that you must inspect the inside of the tire for hidden damage or risk weakening the tire. Punctures in the tread area may damage a greater area of the tire, like the inner sidewall. So, you should not attempt to repair the tire while it is still connected to the wheel, which is how DIY kits are done. Without removing the tire, it’s hard to see all the damage that may be present.
Here at Gaynor’s Automotive, we’ll perform high-quality tire service you can count on. We repair tire tread punctures up to 1/4″ in diameter. We do NOT recommend repairing larger punctures or punctures within the tire’s shoulder and sidewall. In those cases, the tire’s integrity is too compromised and would not be able to be safely repaired.
If you have any questions regarding your tire’s condition, we’ll be glad to inspect it for you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to repair or replace your damaged, punctured, or leaky tires.
Why Having Tire Repair Done ASAP Is So Important
A flat tire is extremely dangerous to drive on due to reduced vehicle handling. So, it is advised that one only be driven on in extreme circumstances, such as when needing to reach safety from a busy highway.
It’s also important to note that the longer a flat tire is driven on, the less chance there is that a tire repair service can be done on it. So, the sooner you can bring a lightly to moderately damaged tire in for repair, the better.
Continuing to drive on a flat tire can cause several problems:
- Allowing more air to escape out of the valve, causing even more tire damage
- Direct damage to the valve stem
- Extreme wearing of and damage to the tire’s tread
- A significantly increased chance of a tire blowout
If you have a tire that is not holding air properly, install your spare tire and bring the damaged one to our Vancouver store nearest you for service.
Additional Tire Services Offered by Gaynor’s Automotive:
Of course, when you have a damaged or flat tire and need expert tire repair, we’ve got you covered. But here at our Vancouver auto repair shop, we also want to help you extend the life of your tires through proper tire maintenance services including:
Tire Rotation
One of the easiest and most effective ways to help extend the lifespan of your tires and ensure their safety is to have regular tire rotations done. This service also allows your technician to inspect your tires thoroughly for any issues that may negatively impact tire performance.
Rotating the vehicle’s tires involves alternating their position from one side of the vehicle to the other, from front to back, or a mix of both in an “X” pattern. The exact movement will depend on vehicle type and how the tires were previously rotated. Some types of tires should be rotated based on tread wear, while others should be rotated at specific mileage intervals.
In general, tire rotation is recommended every 3,000 to 6,000 miles. A good habit to follow is to have it done with every oil change.
Wheel/Tire Balancing
It is very important to maintain an even weight distribution around each wheel assembly. A weight imbalance in any one of your vehicle’s wheel/tire assemblies can cause tires to wear unevenly and cause a noticeable vibration. To prevent this, regular checks of your wheels’ balancing should be done.
A wheel balancing service will include removing each tire/wheel assembly one by one, mounting it on specialized balancing equipment, determining exactly where (if any) weight imbalances are, correcting them with metal weights, and remounting the wheel/tire assemblies.
Common indicators of an imbalance include:
- Noticeable vibration in the steering wheel, seat, or floorboard
- Uneven tire tread wear
- A “cupped” wear pattern on the tire tread
If any of the above is happening with your vehicle, visit your closest Gaynor’s Automotive location today for professional wheel/tire balancing service.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
This system constantly measures the air pressure or rotational speed of your tires to determine if they are at the proper air pressure. Since many tire failures happen because of underinflated tires, it is critical to ensure that this system is properly working. If there is a problem in the system or a sensor, we can take care of it.
Gaynor’s Automotive Covers All Your Tire Needs!
When you need a local tire shop, visit the team here at Gaynor’s Automotive for exceptional customer service and expert auto care. We provide a full range of professional tire services to meet your vehicle’s needs.
Schedule your appointment today
Frequently Asked Questions
Professional tire maintenance services are vital to extending the life span and safety of your vehicle’s tires. But also, regularly inspecting your tires yourself can help catch small issues before they become big problems. We recommend visually inspecting your tires and checking the air pressure once a month at a minimum. It’s also a good idea to check them if you’re going to be hauling or towing anything or are about to go on a long drive.
When inspecting your tires, you should look for:
- Irregular or excessive treadwear: Exposed steel on radial tires or excess wear on one edge of any type of tire indicates uneven wear. Also, check the depth of your tread by inserting a penny with Lincoln’s head upside down into a tread groove. If the top of Lincoln’s head is showing, the tire should be replaced.
- Embedded foreign objects: Look for nails, small rocks, pieces of metal or glass, etc. that may have been picked up from the road. Having embedded objects removed and the tire repaired ASAP will prevent more serious problems later.
- Damage: Look closely for any splits, cracks, punctures, or bulges, particularly in the sidewalls.
If you notice any of the problems above, schedule a service at Gaynor’s Automotive today. We’ll let you know if the tire can be safely repaired or if it needs to be replaced.
There are several easy things you can do to help maximize the life of your tires:
- Check your tires’ air pressure once a month and before a long drive. Proper inflation prevents excess wear and tear.
- Closely inspect your tires for foreign objects, damage, and uneven tread wear. Pay particular attention to the sidewalls—problems there often mean a need for tire replacement.
- Avoid excessive speeds, hard turning and braking, or frequent fast starts. You should try to avoid potholes and road debris if it is safe to do so.
- Stay under your tires’ maximum load capacity when hauling or towing.
- Keep up with professional tire maintenance (like tire rotations and balancing) on the recommended schedule.
It depends on the issue. Many tire problems don’t require a total replacement if they are minor. Depending on the severity of the damage your tire has sustained, you may be past the point where a repair could help. For example, if you notice that your tire sidewall is cupping or bubbling, the integrity of the tire is compromised, and you will likely need to replace it. However, if there is only a small puncture, our Vancouver tire shop should be able to repair it so that it’s safe to use.
If you need to determine the severity of your tire damage or do a tire repair, our crew can help. Our ASE-certified mechanics are experts at assessing and repairing tires. Book a tire shop appointment today.
If your tires are correctly balanced before you begin the wheel alignment, then there is no need to balance them beforehand. However, if your tires have a slightly unbalanced weight distribution, you will need to have them balanced before an alignment.
Tire balancing is an essential part of the health of your tires. Because tire balancing has to do with weight distribution, it’s important that this is done before the alignment is corrected. When done in this order, your tire shop can properly align your tires to their optimal position and potentially make them last longer. Performing these tire services in the correct order ensures that your tires are in the best position for efficiency and longevity.
The following are some warning signs to watch out for:
- Shaking, rattling or vibrating while driving: All of these issues could be a sign of poor balancing, alignment or pressure.
- Uneven tire tread: If you keep up with your tire maintenance, your tread should wear down evenly across all your tires. If the tread is uneven, something’s not right.
- Loss of pressure: If you constantly need to fill your tires, you may have a leak or loose seal.
- Burning rubber odor: If a foul smell comes from your tires, you may be losing your tire effectiveness or the inner layers.
- Bumps, cupping and bubbles: Your tires should be uniform around the walls and tread. If you see an abnormal shape or protruding bump on your tire, it will need to be repaired or replaced.
If you are experiencing any of these problems, contact our tire shop promptly.
If your tire rotation was performed by a professional tire shop, then the steering wheel should not shake after a tire rotation. This is because the tire shop mechanics should rebalance the tires after rotating them to ensure they’re correctly weighted. However, if this step is skipped, it can cause your tires to be improperly weighed. Unbalanced tires will lead to shaking at higher speeds.
At Gaynor’s Automotive, our tire team knows how important it is to be thorough when working on your vehicle. Our professional mechanics will perform every tire service you need to the best of our ability. You can trust our team to do the best job when you need tire repair, maintenance, or a tire shop.
A number of factors determine the lifespan of a tire. The road conditions in your area, your driving habits, and your vehicle all play a part in how long your tires will last. Additionally, the quality of the tire will be a major factor in how long it lasts. Most people drive an average of 12,000-15,000 miles per year. Good quality tires should, therefore, last around three to five years on average.
To get the most out of your tires, you will want to check them regularly, practice safe driving habits and have a tire shop perform routine service and maintenance. These principles of vehicular maintenance will help your tires last as long as possible.
One of the best ways to prevent a flat tire is by maintaining your routine tire rotation. When a tire shop handles your tire care periodically, you will ensure that your tires are properly maintained. This service keeps the tread even and allows a professional mechanic to check your tires. If they notice something wrong, they can have them repaired or replaced.
Of course, there may be situations when a flat tire is unavoidable, for example, if you run over a nail or a road hazard. In these situations, it’s best to have a professional take a look. If it’s a small puncture, a tire shop may be able to repair it quickly with a patch or plug.