Caring For Your Tires in Every Season

These four wheels keep you rolling down the road, and when you treat them right, they'll last you even longer. Every season provides a new element that your tires have to navigate, and Bledsoe's Towing would like to help you treat your tires well. From spring to summer and winter to fall, here are a few ways you can care for your tires!

Spring

Spring can bring a whole new element of water and wetness with the constant rain. The first most important thing you can do is check the tread on your tires to make sure that there will be plenty of grip as you drive down those wet roads. You can even do a penny test to learn if there is enough tread on your tires. Put the penny in with Abraham Lincoln's head down, and if you can see the top of his head, you need new tires. 

When you're driving in wet weather, be sure to always slow down before turning and don't make any sudden wheel movements. If you are hydroplaning, don't accelerate or brake suddenly. Keep your foot lightly on the gas and steer the car forward until your tires regain traction.

Summer

It's important to check your tire pressure in the summer and do it regularly. You'll want to keep it at the level that is recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Did you know that the tire pressure listed on your sidewalls is the maximum pressure and is not intended to provide you the correct pressure? You can find correct inflation levels on your door post, fuel door, glove box, or in the owner's manual. Keep in mind that under inflation creates excessive stress and heat, and may lead to tire failure. You also want to keep over inflation from happening as well, it can cause uneven wear, and handling and stopping problems.

Fall

Much like spring, the tread on your tires is still very important. Sometimes fall can involve a lot of rain, and you're just coming out of summer where you may have taken long road trips for vacation. Check the tread on a regular basis to make sure that you're not causing a hazard on the road.

Winter

Finally, in the winter, you want to make sure that your tire pressure is accurate. You can generally guess that the pressure should be reduced by 1 psi for every 10-degree drop in temperature. You also want to remember that cold weather makes tire rubber less pliable, which can cause air leaks. Inspect your sidewalls for signs of damage or cracking, and if you have any problems, bring your car out to Bledsoe's Towing for the best tires at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Hire the Best Car Mechanic at the Lake of the Ozarks

Are you looking for a company who can take care of your car and get it back on the road fast? At Bledsoe's Towing, we specialize in automotive repair at the Lake of the Ozarks, and we would be happy to help you when your car is in a bind. If you have trouble while you're out on the road, and can't get into town, never fear! We provide 24-hour towing at the Lake of the Ozarks and can save the day. Visit our website to learn more about our company, or give us a call for assistance!

Serving the Lake of the Ozark with all towing at automotive 

needs - big or small!

www.BledsoesTowing.com

322 South Business Route 5

Camdenton, Missouri 65020

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Your Vehicle Timetable

Much like your home needs specific repairs periodically, your vehicle needs to be inspected and repaired on a routine basis as well. One of the worst things you can do for your car is to neglect vital service procedures because not only will it not operate at it's fullest potential, but you could be harming it for future use. Here at Bledsoe's we can take a look at your vehicle, and complete the necessary jobs, because we're the best auto service company at the Lake of the Ozarks. Here is a list of tasks that need to be performed on your vehicle, and the time at which it needs to happen.

Check Every Month

To help make it easier to remember, pick a date that you'll remember, or a specific time of the month (like the third Saturday), and program your phone with the reminder. This will help you not only develop a routine, but also keep from forgetting it. These are the tasks you'll want to accomplish every month - even if you aren't replacing anything, just inspecting it and knowing what it's supposed to look like will go a long way in keeping your vehicle in good condition.

Oil Level 
If the oil is low, add more, and inspect for leaks.

Hoses
If your hoses are bulging, rotten or brittle they need to be replaced.

Belts
Are they worn, frayed or glazed? This is a sign that they need to be replaced.

Tire Pressure
Use a tire guage to see what level your tires are at, and then refer to your owner's manual to see where they should be. Some tires have different levels based on the weather.

Coolant or Antifreeze
Add the appropriate type depending on the weather, and check for leaks.

Air FilterIf this is dirty, it will need to be replaced.

Inspect TiresLook for damage, bulges or uneven wear.

Check Every Three Months

You can set a reminder on your phone to make these checks every three months, and then stick to it. If you picked the third weekend for your monthly checks, stick to this date and make plans to spend an extra couple minutes of your weekend inspecting your car. If you find problems in advance, you'll appreciate that they didn't get bad before having to replace them - or worse.

Oil and Oil Filter 
The oil and oil filter need to be replaced about every 3,000 miles. You can refer to your owners manual to verify. Bring your vehicle out to Bledsoe's Towing for your routine oil changes at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Windshield Washer Fluid
If it's low, add more. Also be sure to change it out depending on the season.

Power Steering Fluid
If this is low, you'll certainly want to add more - you'll notice if it's gone completely!

Transmission Fluid
If it's low, you'll want more to be added.

Battery Terminals & Cables
Are they corroded? This is a great time to clean them off and have them looking like new.

Lights
Checking yoru lights and signals on a routine basis will help keep you from having burnt out bulbs. Always remember to replace them in pairs.

Check Every Six Months

Finally, every six months you'll want to perform a few extra tests and checks to make sure a few neglected areas don't go unattended.

Wiper Blades
If these are brittle, worn, or smeary, you'll want to have new ones put on. While you're inspecting these, you can also take a rag and wipe them off. If there is any form of debris on your blades it can scratch your windshield.

Horn
If you haven't tried your horn out in a while, test it and make sure it's still working. You'd hate to not have that next time someone cuts you off!

Brakes
Have your brakes inspected, and make sure there is not unsual wear and tear on them. Of course, if your brakes aren't working at all, bring it out to Bledsoe's!

Spare Tire
If your spare tire isn't fully inflated, it's not going to do you much good when you're stranded. Check the air level and fill it if needed. If you do find yourself stranded, don't forget to call the best towing company at the Lake of the Ozarks - we would love to come rescue you.

Exhaust System

Your exhaust system needs to be inspected ever six months for rust, damage, or loose parts. While you may not know what you're looking for on your own, you can bring it out to us and we'll take a look.

Shocks
Oil seepage or wear are two of the things you'll want to have looked at every so often. This can save you some trouble in the long run.

Vehicle Maintenance in Camdenton, MO

Are you looking for a trustworthy company to take a look at your vehicle and check all of the necessary details? Here at Bledsoe's, we've been working on vehicles since 1964, and we would be honored to take a look at your car. Give us a call, or bring it and out let us work our magic on it.

Serving the Lake of the Ozark with all towing & automotive 

needs - big or small!

www.BledsoesTowing.com

322 South Business Route 5

Camdenton, Missouri 65020

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7 Fun Facts About Tires

There are four, sometimes more, but they always get you where you need to go. The tires on your vehicle have a HUGE impact on where you go and what you do because if they're flat, you're not going to get very far! At Bledsoe's Towing, we know how important it is for your wheels to be rolling, so we work hard to provide the best tires at the Lake of the Ozarks. Before you give your tires a little TLC, here are some fun facts you may not have realized about those rubber donuts you've been riding on.

Fun Facts About Tires

1. In 1961, Goodyear experimented with an illuminated tire. Lit from the inside by glass incandescent bulbs, the softly glowing white tires never left the show circuit.

2. The natural color of rubber is white, not black. Manufacturers of tires add carbon black to rubber to increase various qualities that prolong the life of the tire. The carbon black increases road-wear abrasions of the produced tire by as much as 100-fold. It also improves the tensile strength by as much as 1,000 percent to rubber left untreated. Carbon black helps conduct heat away from troubled spots, such as tread and belt areas. Considering heat is one of the tires biggest enemies, this is a great advantage.

3. The World’s Largest Tire is in Allen Park, Michigan. The tire is a 12-ton, 80-foot-tall tower of rubber that was built to withstand hurricane-force winds. It served as a Ferris wheel at the 1964-1965 New York’s World Fair. The tire was later moved to Allen Park in 1966. Urban legend has it that the tire broke loose and rolled across I-94. But, there’s no evidence of such a thing ever happening.

4. More than 250 million tires are discarded each year. Recent recycling programs melt the rubber for asphalt or shred them for garden mulch. Some companies even make new tires out of old ones.

5. Despite their seemingly simple construction, tires are actually a highly engineered piece of technology. Tires use an advanced blend of rubber and polymers to maximize traction and minimize road noise in all weather and road conditions. However, developing this kind of technology takes time – two to four years of development to be precise! Who knew tires were so advanced?

6. Don't have a spare tire in your car? Turns out they may become a thing of the past. In an effort to make cars lighter and more compact, they are including tire repair kits and even a can of air so you don't have to carry a spare around

7. Because tires are filled with air, the outside temperature can affect your tire’s pressure more than you might expect. On average, experts say that for every 10 degrees (Celsius) of temperature shift, your tire’s pressure can fluctuate by up to 1.5psi. So as the seasons change, be sure to check your tire pressure!

Best Tire Company at the Lake of the Ozarks

Who knew that those little rubber wheels had so many unique and fun details about them! It's important to always take care of your tires, because when you take care of them, they take care of you. At Bledsoe's Towing we can not only come out and change your tire when you find yourself stranded with a flat, you can bring them out to us for tire rotations at the Lake of the Ozarks, repairs, and replacements. Visit our website to learn more about our services and don't hesitate to give us a call at (573) 346-7050.

Serving the Lake of the Ozark with all towing at automotive 

needs - big or small!

www.BledsoesTowing.com

322 South Business Route 5

Camdenton, Missouri 65020

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