Quality Tires near Prince Frederick, MD
Whether you are in the market for tire repair or replacement, our Certified Service experts can handle all of your tire needs. Use our Tire Finder Tool to start shopping for tires - simply enter your vehicle's year, make, model, and tire size. Not sure about your tire size? It's the combination of letters and numbers located on the side of your tire. Once you've selected the right set, schedule an appointment at Bayside Chevrolet.
Maintaining Your Tires
What Causes Tire Wear?
There are many factors that can cause tire wear, such as your driving style and tire maintenance habits. Tire replacement is absolutely needed when the tread wear indicators appear. Built-in tread wear indicators look like narrow strips of smooth rubber across the tread and become visible as the tire surface wears.
Measuring Tread Depth
A quick and easy way to check your tire wear is with a tread-depth gauge. These tools come in either digital or mechanical versions. The easiest way to check wear on your tire is with a penny. Place a penny upside down in between the tire tread as shown on the right. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, the treads are worn and tire replacement is needed.
When To Replace Tires
Tread wear indicators appear when the tires only have 2/32” or less of tread remaining. Rubber in tires ages over time. Other warning signs include:
- You can see three or more tread wear indicators around the tire
- The tire cord or fabric is showing through the rubber
- The tire tread or sidewall is cracked, cut, or snagged deep enough to show cord or fabric
- The tire has a bulge or split
- The tire has a puncture, cut, or other damage that can’t be repaired correctly
Wheel Alignment
Proper wheel alignment is key to prolonging the life of your tires. If your vehicle is misaligned, it can cause your tires to wear unevenly, and you may experience handling problems such as pulling or abnormal vibration.
Consider a wheel alignment check if there is unusual tire wear or the vehicle is significantly pulling to one side or the other. A tire that is out of balance often affects ride quality and can shorten the life of tires, bearings, shocks, and other suspension components. If the vehicle is vibrating when driving on a smooth road, the tires and wheels may need to be rebalanced.
Tire Rotation
It’s a known fact that regular tire rotation extends the life of your tires and improves performance. Tires are rotated to achieve a uniform wear for all tires. Each tire performs different tasks (such as steering in front- versus rear-wheel drive), therefore tires wear at different rates. Tires should be rotated every 7,500 miles to prevent irregular tire wear.
It’s important to rotate your tires according to the correct tire-rotation pattern. Doing so will prolong the life of your tires and will reduce the risk of sudden tire failure. Front tires encounter different tasks than the rear tires. A front-wheel-drive car's tires perform different tasks than those on a rear-wheel-drive vehicle.
Tire Pressure
Check your tires at least once a month when the tires are cold, meaning the vehicle has not been driven for at least three hours or no more than 1 mile. The Tire Information Label located on the inside of your doorframe has the recommended cold tire pressure for your vehicle.
Inflation pressure maintenance of tires is critical for overall tire and vehicle performance. Maintaining the correct inflation pressure allows the tire to perform as intended, including for comfort, fuel economy, stopping distance, cornering, traction, tread wear, and noise.
Tire FAQ
Q: Why is tire rotation so important?
A: Each tire on a vehicle performs a different task, causing them to wear at different rates. Regular tire rotation allows tires to wear evenly, maximizing tire life and allowing tires to be replaced in sets of four, which is preferable.
Q: Why is tire pressure important?
A: Improperly inflated tires are a leading cause of tire failure. Proper tire pressure helps a tire have optimum tread contact with the road, which improves traction and braking and reduces tire wear. Underinflated tires generate heat, which is the tire’s worst enemy, so maintaining the right amount of air keeps temperatures where they should be.
Q: How will I know when I need new tires?
A: You’ll need new tires when the tread wear indicators—called wear bars—appear. These wear bars look like narrow strips of smooth rubber across the tread and appear when it’s time to replace your tires. If you can see three or more tread wear indicators, you should replace your tires. Other ways to know when to replace your tires include cord or fabric showing through the rubber, cracks or cuts in the tread or sidewall deep enough to show cord or fabric, bulges or splits in the tire, and punctures or damage that cannot be repaired correctly.
Q: There are a lot of places that sell tires. I need new tires. Where should I go to get the right tires for my GM vehicle at the right price?
A: Our Certified Service experts can recommend tires that are right for your vehicle, your driving habits, and your budget. You can start searching for new tires right now with our Tire Finder Tool above. It’s a quick and easy way to find tires for any vehicle. Once you’ve selected the right tires, you can schedule an appointment. We employ factory-trained technicians who use state-of-the-art technology and equipment to help keep your vehicle running like new.
Q: Does Bayside Chevrolet carry quality, major brand tires?
A: Yes, we carry most major brands of tires, including Goodyear, Bridgestone, Continental, General Tire, BF Goodrich, Dunlop, Hankook, Uniroyal Michelin, Pirelli, and Firestone. We intentionally do not carry poor quality, no-name brands that some tire stores use as price leaders.
Q: Why don't you carry some of the tire brands that are advertised at prices that seem too good to be true?
A: Experience has shown that some of these tires are inferior in ride quality and longevity. Ultimately, consumers who purchase these tires are disappointed. We do offer tires at "good-better-best" pricing to fit any budget.
Q: Does Bayside Chevrolet offer rebates from major tire manufacturers that I have seen advertised on TV?
A: Yes, in fact, Bayside Chevrolet promotes these rebate offers when they are available. Many of these rebates and special offers will be found on signage in our waiting areas and on our "Specials" page. All of our tire prices are offered to our customers at cost plus $10.00.
Q: Is there a separate charge for mounting and balancing?
A: The charge for mounting and balancing is $15.00 per tire ($25 for run-flat tires). Beware of some competitors who claim that mounting is free, only to charge $15 or more to balance your tires. We balance every tire we mount, it is included with mounting. Beware of those "on the rim and out the door" guys. They will have you "out the door" with additional charges added onto your bill. Bayside Chevrolet uses a High Definition Road Force and Lateral Force Balance (the only one in the area).
Q: Does Bayside Chevrolet have any additional hidden charges?
A: No, there are no hidden charges. Our tire price includes disposal of your old tires and wheel weights plus we do not charge for shop fees or EPA fees. It is common practice for most major tire chains to charge for these items.
Q: How do I find out if you have the correct tires for my vehicle in stock and get a price quote?
A: Call us at 410-535-1500. One of our representatives can match the perfect tire for your specific vehicle and offer you several options at different price points. Utilizing our Tire Finder link is another easy way to check on availability of tires and your cost.
Q: What if you don't have the tire I want in stock? Can you get it for me?
A: Bayside Chevrolet can usually get you the tire you need or want within 24 hours. If we don't have it in stock, we'll get it for you.
Q: Is it easy to see when my tire pressure is low?
A:Tire pressure is very difficult to judge by sight alone. Tires can be well under 50% inflated before it's noticeable to the eye. This is why it's so important to check your tire pressure monthly with an accurate tire gauge. Come into Bayside Chevrolet service anytime we're open and we'll check your tire pressure for you at no cost.
Q: What is TPMS?
A: TPMS, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, is an electronic system that alerts you with a dashboard indicator light when your car's tire pressure falls to the point of needing inflation.
Q: What should I do if my tire pressure warning light is illuminated on my dashboard?
A: The light signals that one or more of your tires may have lost pressure. This may include the spare tire as well. Our technicians can quickly inspect and diagnose the cause for the low pressure and reset the dashboard indicator light.
Q: Why did my tires wear so quickly?
A: Premature tire wear may be caused by many factors other than tire rotation. Some examples are as follows: improper inflation, driving conditions, misaligned vehicles, worn vehicle parts, and many other reasons. Without physically inspecting the tires it is difficult to make a determination as to why your tires wore prematurely. To help with your tire inspection come in and get a complimentary instant 4-wheel alignment check in 60 seconds with our Winalign Machine. Receive a color printout of your results while you wait. No appointment necessary. It could be the best invested 60 seconds you have ever made.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
The Tire Pressure Monitoring System is designed to warn the driver when low-tire-pressure conditions exist. A sensor measures tire pressure and temperature, then transmits data to the tire-pressure monitor. If the pressure in one or more of your tires is 25 percent or more below the vehicle manufacturer's recommended cold inflation pressure for tires, a warning indication will alert the driver.
Your Original Equipment TPMS sensor battery can last up to 10 years with normal use. When the TPMS battery fails, the sensor will need to be replaced.
If the Tire Pressure Monitor light appears as a blinking yellow lamp for more than one minute and stays solid, then diagnostic service is needed. If your TPMS is not functioning properly, it cannot detect or signal a low-tire condition.
If the Tire Pressure Monitor light comes on and stays solid with a check tire pressure, low tire pressure, or add air to tire message, then check and adjust all tire air pressures to the recommended levels. Next, drive the vehicle to turn the light off.