What the hay is DRY ROT, anyway?

  

   We had a customer come into the Royal Palm Beach location to use one of her 4 oil changes in the package we sell. It's actually a really great deal if you are ever interested. You have to get an oil change 4 times a year and why not have it be a $14.99 each with a discount on any other repairs?

She asked us to look over her car for anything else that might be going on. Well, she had dry rot on her tires. We told her at some point soon we will need to look into tires for her because of dry rot. What the heck is dry rot, anyway?, she said.

Well, my fellow Florida folks, this is for you. Dry rot happens from extreme heat like we have in Royal Palm Beach and Wellington, especially in the summer months. What happens to rubber is that it becomes less pliable with extreme conditions. It's not just tread that is wearing down, it's the quality of the rubber starts to change. It will have hairline cracks in it and not be as black in certain spots as it once was. A few spots is normal and not a danger, but many and on more than one tire can be.

If you have tread left on the tire, it doesn't mean you can't have dry rot. This most likely means the car isn't driven much or is in the sun day after day, or both. So there can be tread, but the rubber is deteriorating. The car is safe to drive short distances like 30 - 50 miles but not for longer drives or the highway. It can buy you about 3-4 weeks to start looking for tire deals.

We can get you in and out today! Our technicians will let you know if its a danger or if you can hold off.

 Call Bill Tyson's Auto Repair at either Royal Palm Beach 561-753-6122 or Wellington 561-753-6101.

What Does It Mean If My Car Is Vibrating?

If you own a car long enough then there's a good chance you'll develop car problems to some extent. One of the most common issues is shaking. It happens slowly but surely and then one day you find yourself wondering how you drive like this! Is this safe? What does it mean if my car is vibrating? There is no substitute for our ASE certified mechanics. However, you can develop a good feel yourself for car problems that are relatively common, like the shaking.

 Here is some good and sound advice from us at Bill Tyson's as to why your car may be doing this, what it can mean and why you should bring it in.

The fix could be something relatively cheap and simple, like a tire rotation or balance. It could signal more serious car trouble - something not as simple, like steering or suspension problems. Coming in to our Wellington or Royal Palm Beach location to just have the car looked at may seem like a hassle at first. We understand and will try to get you in and out the door as soon as possible because we understand you have a busy schedule. We are here to save you from bigger car trouble down the road.

Sometimes a shake or shudder will come from the engine compartment, because the engine isn't getting enough air, fuel or spark that it needs to run in top condition.

Symptoms like:

• Shudder or jerking when speeding up
• Sharp, disconnected shaking like driving over cobblestones within a specific speed range
• Car starts and drives fine and later begins to vibrate

These symptoms could be signaling that it's time for a new set of spark plugs. If the plugs are fine, it could be that the spark plug wires need to be checked (connected in the right order) or replacing them.
A dirty air filter or clogged fuel filter can starve the engine of the oxygen or fuel it needs. Easily prevented by replacing them at the manufacturer's recommended time frame.

Is the shaking coming from the steering wheel? On most modern cars, wheel bearings are meant to last the life of the car/or truck. But as you may already know, if you drive worse-than-typical wear-and-tear (off-roading, hard driving, high mileage), it's going to wear out.
Another thing to look for is how much a wheel deviates from a perfectly circular rotation when it is turning.
Other sources of wobbly wheels include the tie-rod ends or ball joints. If they're worn out, they'll allow too much play in the wheel.

Tires can contribute to the shakes:

• Car vibrates at certain speeds= tire balance
• Tires have separated tread or roll unevenly = needs replacements
• Uneven tire wear = tire rotation

Please feel free to call seven days a week. We can narrow it down even more. Make an appointment or just bring it in and tell us what is going on. Our mechanics are seasoned and will find what is wrong in a hurry. We will always tell you what you need and won't try to sell you something you don't. Honest work at a great price so you can get back on the road safely.

When is it time to get new brakes? How do I know when to get new brakes? We have the 411 for you

Brakes giving you a fit? Does your car seem like its not slowing down on time? That won't end well for the squirrels!



Brake for squirrels



Bill Tyson's Auto Repair Brake Jobs Saving Squirrels

 

 

It usually happens slowly, over a period of time. At first, you start to feel your brake pedal just doesn’t seem its old self. Then you hear a little noise when you come to a stop. That’s when you know its time for a brake job. It happens to all vehicles sooner or later no matter what. The average, depending on how you drive, is about 35,000 miles on front brake pads and about 55,000 miles on rear brake shoes. This article is a little information so that you have an idea of what you need to know to get your vehicles brakes back to original working order. After all, braking is the most important thing that your vehicle can do.

You should have your brakes inspected, often, by an ASE certified and trained professional mechanic like us at Bill Tyson's Auto Repair every time you have your tires rotated. We recommend that you rotate your tires every 5,000 miles. That way you can avoid the costly mistake of wearing your pads or shoes past the wear indicators and damaging the rotors or drums. Inspections should include checking the brake lines, wheel cylinders, and master cylinder for leaks, checking the brake pads and shoes for wear, and checking the brake fluid level. We have two locations for you to have us check it out. We can check your brakes in Wellington or Royal Palm Beach.

TIP: never add brake fluid to your master cylinder. If its low, there is a reason, and the system should be looked at by a technician.

 If your vehicle needs a brake service be sure that the proper pads or shoes are installed, and that they are a quality product. When it comes to brake pads or shoes, you get what you pay for. There a lot of different compositions to brake pads, (organic, semi-metallic, and metallic) Make sure that you get what your vehicle manufacturer recommends no matter where you decide to have the brakes done.

Come in to our Bill Tyson's Auto Repair in Royal Palm Beach seven days a week. Or if it's more convenient for you come to our Wellington store Monday through Saturday. We will even give you a ride home or to your local destination while your brakes are being replaced.

Call today to make an appointment.

Wellington 561-753-6101

Royal Palm Beach 561-753-6122

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