Do you service commercial fleets?

Yes. Fleet and commercial work is our core, including trailers, box trucks, delivery fleets and construction equipment, with scheduled service and blowout repair.

Which tire brands do you carry?

All major brands, including Goodyear, Cooper, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Michelin, Bridgestone, Toyo, Continental, Pirelli, Hankook, Falken and Uniroyal.

Tread, safety and scheduling, answered by Empire Tire

Knowing when tires are done, reading uneven wear, why Texas heat matters, and everything about booking a visit. 27 answers, for tire service across Northwest Houston, Texas.

How do I know when I need new tires?

Check the tread depth, look for uneven wear, cracking or bulges, and pay attention to how the vehicle feels in the wet. If you are asking the question, it is worth having someone look.

What is the penny test?

Put a penny into the tread with Lincoln head down. If you can see the top of his head, the tread is worn to the point where the tire should be replaced. It is rough, but it is better than guessing.

What are the wear bars on a tire?

They are raised strips set into the tread grooves. When the tread wears down level with them, the tire is at its legal and practical limit and needs replacing.

How long do tires normally last?

It depends far more on how and where you drive than on the badge. Heat, load, pressure and surface all shorten tire life, and this part of Texas is hard on rubber.

Does Texas heat wear tires faster?

Yes. Sustained high temperatures accelerate rubber ageing and raise running temperature, which is why correct pressure matters more here than in a cooler climate.

Why are my tires wearing on the edges?

Wear on both shoulders usually points at underinflation. Wear on one edge only usually points at alignment. They are different problems with different fixes, and replacing the tire without fixing the cause just repeats it.

Why is my tire wearing in the middle?

Centre wear usually means overinflation, where the tread crowns and only the middle touches the road. It wears the tire out early and reduces grip at the same time.

What is cupping or scalloping on a tire?

Uneven dips around the tread, usually caused by worn suspension components or a persistent balance problem. It gets noisy before it gets dangerous, but it is telling you something is wrong beyond the tire.

My tires have cracks in the sidewall, is that serious?

Fine cracking is rubber ageing, and it means the tire is deteriorating whether or not it has tread left. Deep cracks mean it needs replacing rather than watching.

How much tread do I need for wet roads?

More than the legal minimum, because tread depth is what clears water. Wet stopping distance degrades noticeably well before a tire is legally worn out.

Do I need to replace all four tires at once?

Not always, but on all wheel drive and four wheel drive vehicles matching rolling diameters matters and replacing in pairs or sets is often the right call. Tell us your vehicle and we will be specific.

If I only replace two, where should they go?

New tires go on the rear, even on a front wheel drive vehicle. It sounds backwards, but worn tires on the rear are what causes a vehicle to lose the back end in the wet.

Is it safe to drive on a donut spare?

Only for a short distance at reduced speed, exactly as marked on the spare. A temporary spare is designed to get you off the road, not to keep you on it.

Should I check my spare tire?

Yes, and almost nobody does. A spare sitting unused for years is often flat or aged out, and you find that out at the worst possible moment.

How do I make my tires last longer?

Correct pressure first, because it is free and it is the single biggest factor. Then avoid harsh curb impacts, keep on top of alignment and act on uneven wear early instead of after the tire is finished.

Does alignment affect tire wear?

Heavily. A vehicle out of alignment can destroy an edge of a tire in a fraction of its normal life, and no tire brand will save you from it.

How do I book an appointment?

Send us your vehicle, your location and the times that suit you, and we will confirm a slot. There is no branch to call in to and no queue to sit in.

How far ahead should I book?

The sooner we know your tire size, the sooner we can have the right set on the unit. Tell us your timing and we will tell you the soonest realistic slot rather than a promise we cannot hold.

What happens after I request service?

We confirm your tire size and the set you want, agree a time and a location, then arrive with everything needed to finish the job in one visit.

Can I change or cancel an appointment?

Yes, just tell us as early as you can so the slot can go to somebody else. Things come up and we would rather reschedule than have you feel stuck.

Will you tell me when you are on the way?

Tell us how you want to be contacted when you book. Knowing when a technician is arriving is the difference between planning your day and waiting on it.

What do I need to do to get ready?

Park somewhere firm and level with room to work around the vehicle, and make sure we can get to the keys if you will not be there. That is genuinely it.

Do you need my keys?

Usually yes, so the vehicle can be moved or released if needed. Tell us how you want to handle that when you book and we will work around it.

Can someone else be there instead of me?

Yes, as long as they know the job and can give access to the vehicle. Tell us who to expect so nobody is caught off guard.

What if I need to reschedule because of weather?

Heavy weather is not safe to lift a vehicle in, so we would rather move the appointment than rush an unsafe job. We will contact you rather than leaving you wondering.

Can you service more than one vehicle at my address?

Yes, and it is more efficient for everyone. Tell us how many vehicles and their tire sizes when you book so we arrive with everything.

What if my vehicle is lowered or modified?

Tell us before the appointment. Lowered vehicles and unusual setups can need a different lifting approach, and knowing in advance means the right equipment arrives.