Winter Tires – Yea or Nay?

December 31st, 2015
In a lot of parts of the country, the winters are tough enough that all-season tires just won’t get the job done. All-season tires are a compromise; they offer good year-round traction with a quiet ride, good handling and road manners. They tend to perform well in wet weather and light wintry conditions, but when the snow is more than a couple of inches deep, all-season tires are out of their league. That’s when it’s time to consider winter tires. 
 
Today’s winter tires are a long way from the heavy, noisy, clumsy “snow tires” or “mud grips” that your dad might have had on his station wagon 40 years ago. Modern winter tires are designed for noi ...[more]
  Tags: tires, tread wear, replacing tires, tread depth, driving safety, winter tires, snow tires, all20tires
  Posted in: Tires 101

Squeeze a Few More Miles Out of That Gallon of Gas

December 15th, 2015
If you’re past “a certain age,” you might remember when gas was $1.50 per gallon, or $1.00 per gallon, or 59 cents, or what-have-you…but the truth is that everything has gotten more expensive. After all, when gas was $1.00 per gallon, a nicely tricked-out Chevrolet Caprice Classic was selling for about $6,000 brand new. 

 
Now that we’re well into the 21st century, gas prices are likely to fluctuate, but one thing’s for sure: gas is likely to never be “cheap” again. We know that everyone’s trying to get a little more out of every dollar, and whether you’re driving a big SUV or a subcompact, there are things you can do to h ...[more]
  Tags: fuel economy, tire pressure, winter20repair, gas mileage
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

The Holidays Are Coming – Is Your Vehicle Ready?

November 26th, 2015
Where did this year go? Before you know it, it’s going to be time for the holidays, and that can mean travel in some pretty trying conditions (and we don’t just mean restless kids in the back seat). Is your vehicle ready for some interstate miles?

 
• Tires: It’s a good idea to have your tires rotated every 5,000-7,000 miles to ensure even wear. With that in mind, it’s easy to just schedule a tire rotation with every oil change, since the vehicle will be up in the air on a lube rack anyway. Have you checked your inflation lately? Your proper 
...[more]
  Tags: auto service, tires, preventative maintenance, tire pressure, winter20repair, winter20service, driving safety, oil change, drivers safety, holiday travel
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

Winter Tires? Or All-Season Tires?

November 12th, 2015
Winter tires versus all-season tires…which is the right choice for you?
 
The two designs are quite different and deliver different levels of performance and winter-weather traction, so let’s discuss. 
• All-season tires are designed as an all-around compromise. They feature a tread pattern that evacuates water from the tire’s contact patch to prevent hydroplaning, with plenty of small, textured slits (sipes) to add extra biting edges for traction in wet or slushy conditions. 
•...[more]
  Tags: tires, replacing tires, driving safety, winter tires, snow tires, all20tires
  Posted in: Tires 101

Website Launch Announcement: Milstead Automotive Launches New Site

November 2nd, 2015

We are excited to announce the launch of our new website. The site features a fresh look, easy navigation and more focus on what the customer needs.

The new site offers inventory listings with pictures and specs. You can search a variety of ways including by vehicle and size.

With the addition of our blog, we are able to help inform and educate our customers on important tire and service information.

We invite you to visit our new website today.

  Posted in: Company News

Don’t Forget Your Spare

October 29th, 2015
Oh, the lowly spare tire. It doesn’t get much respect. 
 
Today, a lot of vehicles don’t even come with a spare tire anymore, not even the little “donut” space-saver spare. Instead, to cut weight and free up space, they come with a compressor and a can of a Fix-a-Flat-style product in hopes that you can get back on your way again. Great idea, unless your tire has a sidewall puncture or is shredded…
Anyway, if your car is equipped with a spare, you shouldn’t just ignore it. Tires have a shelf life, and time will take its toll on any tire, including ones that are never on the ground. Even brand-new tires have a sell-by date; the i ...[more]
  Tags: tires, replacing tires, tire repair, flat tires, winter tires
  Posted in: Tires 101

Winter is Coming

October 15th, 2015
The days are getting shorter, there’s a snap in the air, and before you know it, the winter months are going to be upon us. Is your vehicle ready? 
 
• Wipers: Even the best windshield wipers are only good for about a year; normal wear, the sun’s UV rays and the elements take their toll on them. Get a good look and check them for chunks, strips or chips missing, and replace if necessary for a streak-free field of vision in wet weather. Hint: a fresh application of 
Rain-X on your windshield and window glass can help visibility greatly. 
•...[more]
  Tags: auto service, preventative maintenance, winter20repair, driving safety, car repair, car battery, brakes
  Posted in: Auto Repair 101

What Makes All-Season Tires So Great?

July 15th, 2015

So your closet has a pair of flip-flops for the summer, a pair of heavy boots for the winter, and a comfortable pair of sneakers for most of the rest of the year. If you live in a climate that doesn’t have harsh winters, you might just be able to wear those sneakers year-round...and all-season tires are the equivalent of your comfortable sneakers.

So what makes all-season tires so special?

Winter tires are excellent for severe conditions like heavy snow and even ice. They feature specially-designed tread patterns and “sipes”, hundreds of tiny slits which offer biting edges for traction in snow. This means shorter stopping distances, better handling and better control in winter weather. Winter tires are n ...[more]

  Tags: tires, tire repair, flat tires, new tires, flat20repair
  Posted in: Tires 101

What Does Your Check Engine Light Mean? Milstead Automotive

January 23rd, 2015

When your car's "Check Engine" light comes on, it's usually accompanied by a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach. The light could mean a costly problem, like a bad catalytic converter, or it could be something minor, like a loose gas cap. But in many cases, it means at minimum that you'll be visiting your mechanic to locate the malfunction and get the light turned off.

The Check Engine light, more formally known as the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL), is a signal from the car's engine computer that something is wrong. Older vehicles may not have this, but any newer vehicle is equipped with a tiny all-knowing computer that will be your lifeline in communicating any problem with how the engine is running. Your Tire and Automotive service department can diagnose the problem, but there are ways to preview what the problem might be.

Prior to 1996, carmakers had their own engine diagnostic systems ...[more]

  Tags: auto repair, mechanic, car repair, auto20spring tx
  Posted in: Tires 101

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