Have you noticed how foggy and cloudy your headlights look?

Maybe they used to be crystal clear, but now they look dull and almost like they're always dirty, right?

That's because the plastic headlight cover has oxidized from wear and weather. The oxidation sits stubbornly on the plastic like rust on top of metal. And no amount of washing will get
them off.

That's dangerous because cloudy headlight covers
prevent light from shining through. This makes it
harder for you to see at night.

And when your headlights are caked with snow
and winter road grime, your already dimmed
lights seem weaker.

But there's a way to get your headlights looking
shiny and new again without replacing any parts.

Depending on how oxidized your headlights are,
you can try the do-it-yourself headlight cleaning
kits found at any auto parts store.

Be careful with those though. Some work well.
Some don't do much of anything and all are
extremely toxic.

So if you do it yourself, be sure to wear rubber gloves
and safety glasses.

Or you can try this homemade formula for lighter oxidation:

1. Wash and dry headlights dry with a towel.
   
2. Mix 3 parts toothpaste to 1 part baking soda into a paste.
   
3. Apply paste mix to headlight with a soft polishing rag
   using small circular motions.
4. Then thoroughly wash with soap and water and rinse well.
5. Mix 1/2 cup baking soda in 1 gallon of water and re-wash
   the polished surface. Rinse and dry.
   
   Depending on how much oxidation you have, you may need to
   repeat steps 1-5 again.
   
   Another option is to take it into Mill Street Tire for a
   professional headlight clean and polish.
   
   We use professional-grade solutions and a thorough 3-step
   process that will get those dull, cloudy headlights looking
   crystal clear and new again.
   
   Our professional headlight cleaning is only $75.95. And for
   a limited time, we'll also replace your worn windshield wipers
   as an additional safety gift to you!
   
   With dangerous winter driving conditions and all of the extra
   driving you do around the holidays, it's important you do
   keep your loved ones safe.
   
   So come in for a professional headlight polish PLUS get a
   free pair of windshield wipers while the offer lasts.
   
   Then you'll be able to see clearly and safely (and others can
   see you better too) throughout the winter.

You probably heard people say use a penny to test how much life you have left on your tires. But the latest safety research shows with today's tire technology, you must use a quarter instead.

That's because studies show your tire tread should measure at least 4/32 of an inch to prevent sudden blowouts, flats, or braking accidents. And to maintain control during sudden movements.

Here's how to do the quarter test: Place a quarter head first (that's upside down) into the groove between the tire treads. If the tread stops at the top of George Washington's head, you're at the legal minimum and should plan to get new tires soon. 

If you see any part of his head covered, then you're fine. 

But if you see more than the top of his head exposed  then come into Mill Street Tire immediately for a free Tire Life Test. It only takes a few seconds.

Remember, to prevent sudden blowouts, braking accidents, or loss of control, use the quarter test or come by Mill Street Tire for a free Tire Life Test.

It only takes a few seconds to keep you and your loved ones safe!

(in the margin, a graphic that says the following)

Only Mill Street Tire gives you the Safe Tire Guarantee™

• Guaranteed expert service 
• Guaranteed tire quality
• Guaranteed the ideal tire for your needs and budget

Most of us like to save money whenever we can. So it’s tempting to take advantage of those “$99 brake job” specials. After all, a brake job is a brake job, so there’s no sense paying more, right?

Wrong. Many times, those specials are designed to pull you in thinking you’ll get a deal. But chances are, you’ll  walk out paying more.

But it’s possible to find an honest brake job at a fair price once you know the common tricks to avoid:

• Starting the work without testing the car first

No matter what the braking symptom (shaky steering wheel, squealing, etc.), don’t let anyone assume they know what needs fixing before they get all of the information first.

For no extra charge, this should include: a test drive, taking measurements, a thorough inspection, and asking you questions like how the car feels, sounds it makes, when those sounds occur, and so on.

Otherwise, you could likely be paying for something that doesn’t need repair. Or worsen a condition that could jeopardize your safety.

• Replacing more than needed A brake job usually involves: replacing the brake linings

(which means replacing the brake pads and/or shoes), resurfacing the rotors and/or drums, adding new brake fluid and bleeding the system if needed. Plus checking other components for wear.

Many times, your rotors or drums can be resurfaced (smoothed) instead of replaced. There are times when they’re so worn, you can’t legally smooth it down anymore. But anytime a garage says you need more than brake pads or shoes replaced, ask for proof.

• Using generic, cheaper pads

Many garages use generic, less expensive brake pads so they can make more profit. Although generic pads are safe, they have disadvantages:

• They wear out faster so you may have to replace the pads again within a year instead of the usual 4-6 years.
• You’ll always hear squeaking or other noises because the pads don’t fit properly and never “break in.”

• Charging more as a sign of quality

After you’re told what kind of brake repairs you need and how much the repairs cost, call three other shops (from independents to chains and dealerships).

Let them know what you need and ask for an estimate. You’ll be surprised to see how a job can range from $99 to $500 for the same work!

For a typical passenger car, a standard brake job using quality parts (see list on #2) should cost around $180 – $240.

Remember, a reputable shop should always:

• Gather all information before starting
• Report their findings with a clear estimate
• Have your approval before doing any repairs
• Use quality (not generic) parts
• Only use properly trained mechanics
• Get the job done right the first time
• Stand behind their work

To your safety, Patty

Did you know if you buy a set a tires and never bother to rotate them, your front tires will last around 15,000 miles? And your rear tires should last at least 45,000 miles?

This means you can replace your front tires 3 TIMES before your rear tires wear out. That's expensive!

Why your front tires usually wear out faster All of those three-point turns, right turns, u-turns and parallel parking put a lot of pressure on your front tires. If you have a front-wheel drive car, the turns cause more friction and heat, which wear down the tires even faster than the rears.

How to make your tires last up to 3X longer Because your front tires bear so much burden, you should rotate your tires from front-to-rear several times during their life cycle.

This lets all four tires wear evenly, which can:

• Increase gas mileage
• Improve ride comfort
• Give you maximum life for each tire
• Improve handling during sudden stops or turns

 

How often should I rotate my tires? With new car engineering and tire technology, you can sometimes wait up to 5,000 miles between rotations. Your car owner's manual will tell you what's best.

Here's the easiest way to make sure it's done timely: Rotate your tires every time you get an oil change. That's every 3,500 – 5,000 miles on most vehicles.

This way, you can get both done in one convenient stop.

And if you come Monday-Friday between 2-5 pm, our certified mechanics will change your oil and rotate your tires for only $25! 

Just ask for our Happy Hour Oil Change special.

To your safety, Patty

P.S.  At Mill Street Tire, we automatically check your spare for proper tire pressure and safety.

When buying tires, most people base their decision on the lowest price. But many times, this fools you into paying more.

When buying new or used tires, you’ll always choose the best deal when you look at the cost per 1,000 miles of tread life.

Example: Tire A costs $50 and lasts 45,000 miles Tire A = $1.11 per thousand  ($50/45,000miles = .001 x 1000 = 1.11)

Tire B costs $60 and lasts 65,000 miles Tire B = $0.85 per thousand

Tire B is the better deal.

When you just look at the price, Tire B looks like it costs $10 more. But if you look at the lifetime use of the tire, Tire B is a much better deal because it actually costs 31% LESS!

What if you’re buying used tires? When you’re trying to save a few dollars, used tires often look like a great deal. But most of the time, they’re not.

Consider this:

A used tire may cost $30 and give you 5,000 miles of use. Pay just double that for a new tire and get 65,000 miles of use.

This means, for a few bucks more, you can get 13 times more tire life. And you ensure the safety of you and your loved ones.

Now that’s a deal!

To your safety, Patty

You probably heard people warn, “Always keep your tires properly inflated!”

But what does “properly inflated” really mean?

And is it that important?...YES!

Tire pressure dangers: Having your tires even slightly over inflated or slightly under inflated can:

• Increase your chance of a flat or blowout

 

• Prevent you from stopping in time

• Severely shorten the life of your tires. You’ll end up buying new tires earlier than you expected.

 

• Lower your gas mileage

Quick tips for safe tire pressure:

• Buy a tire gauge. You can get a decent one for under $5.
• Keep your tire properly inflated according to the sticker decal inside your car’s door jam, glove compartment or trunk.

 

• NEVER exceed the PSI number on the tire’s sidewall. That’s the maximum inflation number.

• Check your tire pressure once per MONTH. Your tires lose an average of 1-2 psi month.
• Check your tire pressure BEFORE and AFTER a road trip.
• Fill your tires with nitrogen for significantly less tire pressure loss, better tread life and better mileage.

 

Keeping your tires properly inflated will:

• Improve tire performance
• Improve ride smoothness
• Increase your safety

If you see any warn parts on your tire, stop by any time for a free, no obligation inspection from one of our tire experts.

Protecting you and your loved ones is our #1 priority.

To your safety, Patty

P.S.  Be sure your spare tire is safe to use when you need it. When you rotate your tires at Mill Street Tire, we automatically check your spare’s tire pressure and wear. And yes, we have nitrogen for your tires. J