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Driver safety is a priority in rough weather conditions and starts with having the right equipment for your vehicle. When driving in the snow and ice, you may want to think about some extra tire protection, like; snow chains or snow cables.
What is the difference between Snow Chains vs. Snow Cables for your tires? Is one better than the other?
Although snow chains and snow cables perform a similar job, there are several differences between them, enough to affect which one you should ultimately choose:
- Snow Chains are made of large and heavy steel links and are often used for 2WD vehicles. Although snow cables are effective, snow chains seem to provide more traction.
- Snow Cables are made of steel aircraft cable, encased in alloy traction coils, and are often used for 4WD vehicles. Due to their makeup, snow cables are lighter in weight than snow chains and are easier to apply/remove. They are also less expensive than snow chains.
To find out if your tires can be equipped with chains, check your vehicle’s maintenance or owner’s manual to verify that it contains no warnings advising against the installation of snow chains.
Some cars and trucks have very little clearance between the tire and other internal components, which may restrict your options to cables only.
If you have any questions or would like assistance shopping for snow chains or cables, please see a location near you and one of our Tire Specialists will be happy to help you.
Not sure what to gift friends and family for the holidays?
We have GIFT CARDS available for Repairs, Smogs, and Gas. Finally, a gift card YOU KNOW WILL GET USED! Just ask the cashier at any one of our five locations in the Reno and Sparks area!
STOP BY ANY OF OUR 5 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS TO ENTER
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Lakeside Service
(775) 825-1185
190 W. Plumb Lane & Lakeside
(1 block West of So. Virginia)
Northwest Service
(775) 747-1345
1300 W. 7th & Elgin
(1 block W. of Keystone)
Village Service
(775) 348-7508
1101 California Ave. & Booth
(S. on Keystone to Booth St.)
Sierra Car Care Sparks
(775) 358-6186
800 Prater Wy. & Pyramid Wy.
(1/2 mile N. off I-80 exit)
Mill Street Tire
(775) 329-6434
3180 Mill Street & Telegraph
(2 blocks East of Terminal)
Here are a few vehicle maintenance tips to keep your family on the road, while saving you money this summer.
Whether you choose to perform minor check-ups and repairs yourself or you prefer a professional mechanic look it over, here are a few tips that can keep you safe before you hit the road.
We want your journey to be as carefree as your vacation.
Tire Pressure
Check tire pressure to make sure all tires, including the spare, are properly inflated and have been rotated. You will benefit by getting higher gas mileage and a decreased chance of blowout.
Also, if your tires have been filled with nitrogen, we suggest re-filling with nitrogen as well. You can see our MST Tire Center (formerly known as Mill Street Tire) for Nitrogen Services.
Tire Tread
Check the tread depth of all your vehicle and trailer tires before you go.Put a penny in the tread and if you can’t see Lincoln, you are safe to hit the road. But if you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, the tire tread is likely too low.
You may need to invest in new tires before any long road trips or off-roading. Go to any of our 5 locations for new tire recommendations and check out our current tire specials here.
Brakes
Do your brakes squeak, squeal, or grind, or does your pedal feel “soft”? If the last inspection was more than 24,000 miles or 12 months ago, you may need your brakes inspected by a professional ASE certified technician.
Oil
Make sure the oil in your vehicle is filled up to the fill line and you can still “see through” it. An oil change is recommended every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. But, if the oil is black, that is usually an indication you need to change the oil and filter.
We offer a Buy one, Get one oil change FREE Deal. See the yellow coupon below for details.
Transmissions and Gear Boxes
Are you hauling a trailer or any toys, like; boats, ATVs, or motorcycles? You may want to check and/or change the transmission fluid in your vehicle before you make that long haul.
Lights and Windshield Wipers
Walk around the vehicle and make sure all lights are in working order and your light casings are clean. If your wiper blades are worn out, they may need replacing.
Learn more
In many cases, early detection of engine or tire problems can be the difference between $ and $$$. Bring your vehicle into any of our Reno or Sparks locations for a FREE Vehicle Inspection. Includes: test antifreeze, battery, charging system, belts, hoses, fluids, and tires!
Our fully qualified ASE Certified Technicians will do everything possible to keep your vehicle running safely and efficiently.
Please visit: www.sierracarcare.com
for a location nearest you.
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SPECIAL OFFER: Buy One Oil Change, Get One FREE!
Come in for an oil change and receive a free oil change voucher good for up to one year. Pass it to a friend, loved one, or keep it for yourself.
Offer Expires: June 30, 2013
Mention Coupon Code: FREE OIL
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Gas for goodness
Every Wednesday in June, we’ll make a donation to a local charity for every gallon of gas sold from our Sierra Car Care/MST Tire Centers. And we’ll donate $1.00 per tire sold each Saturday at MST Tire Center on Mill Street.
All donations in June will support Scoutreach. This sponsorship will allow 45 boys to go to day and overnight summer camps that would not be able to attend otherwise.
The Scoutreach Division gives special leadership and emphasis to urban and rural Scouting programs. Scoutreach is the Nevada Area Council’s commitment to making sure that all young people have an opportunity to join Scouting, regardless of their circumstances, neighborhood or ethnic background.
“I think that being a scout is good for learning about sportsmanship, responsibility, and team work. Some skills that I have learned being a scout are tying knots, jamboree, and teamwork.” Andy, Anderson Elementary
“Cub Scouts is helping me in everyday life because it has taught me about team work. It teaches me to how be a leader, and I just like it because we learn to work together as a team. That is why I like being a cub scout.” Jordan D., Alice Maxwell Elementary
So when you need gas or new tires, you can also support our local Nevada Scoutreach Division by visiting any of our 5 locations on Wednesdays for gas and Saturdays for tires (Mill Street location only).
For more information,visit: www.Scoutreach.org
Thanks for supporting our community!
Do you know a local charity you’d like us to consider supporting?
Please see details here.
We’re often asked, “What’s a coolant flush, and do I really need one?”
In short, yes! Here’s why…
The name coolant is misleading because it does more than heat or cool your engine, and protect your engine from freezing in the winter.
Coolant keeps your car running and prevents expensive bills like replacing radiators, head gaskets, and heater cores.
These repairs could run you $400 -$1500. But a simple coolant flush done every 2-5 years can help you avoid those high bills.
How Coolant Works
Today’s engines run hotter than older cars. And to meet government fuel mileage regulations, manufacturers make most engine parts out of aluminum. This includes your cooling system, radiator, and heater core.
The problem is, aluminum corrodes easily, especially when heated. So, our hotter-running cars mixed with aluminum parts combine to break down your engine coolant faster.
Engine coolant contains inhibitors that protect metals from eroding and corroding. It does this by raising the boiling point and lowering the freezing point of your engine’s cooling system.
So, just like the carton of milk in your refrigerator, engine coolant breaks down over time and needs changing.
When Should I Change My Coolant?
If you want to avoid hefty car repair bills, change your coolant regularly. It’s best to have a professional check your coolant and recommend your next change.
So come into any of our 5 full service auto repair stations in the local Reno Sparks area to have one of our ASE certified technicians give you
a FREE Vehicle Inspection.
Includes: test antifreeze,
battery, charging system,
belts, hoses, fluids,
and tires!
Please visit: www.sierracarcare.com
for a location nearest you.
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SPECIAL OFFER: SAVE $60 off a Complete Coolant System Flush
Only $109.95 for most cars and light trucks
(Plus tax and $3.95 environmental fee)
Offer Expires: May 31, 2013
Mention Coupon Code: COOL
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Please Meet….
Katie Frazier, Account Manager
Sierra Car Care and MST Tire Center – Reno
“I’ve been working for Steve and Laurie for over 12 years and I can honestly say that I love my job and the people I work for and with. Steve and Laurie are committed to customer service and building customers for life. They also feel that way about their employees. I feel truly blessed to be a part of the Sierra Car Care team.”
Gas for goodness
Every Wednesday in May, we’ll make a donation to a local charity for every gallon of gas sold from our Sierra Car Care/MST Tire Centers. And we’ll donate $1.00 per tire sold each Saturday at MST Tire Center on Mill Street.
All donations in May will support Sierra Association of Foster Families (SAFF).
SAFF in Reno, Nevada, a 501c3 non-profit organization, focuses on the education of children and teens in foster care, as well as that of their birth parents and foster parents, by creating and facilitating educational programs for reducing the catastrophic statistic of:
- 85% of adults in American federal and state prisons
DO NOT have a high school diploma and… - 70% of those adults were once-upon-a-time children
and teens in foster care.
So when you need gas or new tires, you can also support our local Sierra Association of Foster Families by visiting any of our
5 locations on Wednesdays for gas
and Saturdays for tires (Mill Street
location only).
For more information,visit: www.EducateFosterYouth.org
Thanks for supporting our community!
Do you know a local charity you’d like us to consider supporting?
Please see details here.
Much like your body, your car needs a regular check up to keep it running smoothly and prevent big problems.
That’s the job of a tune-up.
Depending on the mileage and type of car, a tune-up generally includes replacing
a few small parts that don’t
cost much, but they wear down easily and lower your car’s performance. And these parts can cause very expensive damage when they’re worn.
Typical tune-ups include replacing spark plugs, fuel induction service, changing the air filter and fuel filter, as well as inspecting other system components for wear or damage.
If you’re not sure when your car needs a tune-up, check your owner’s manual for a schedule. Or call us for advice.
Like your health, it’s a lot less expensive and much easier to do a little preventative maintenance now, than pay to fix a bigger problem later.
Laurie Yarborough
President, Mill Street Tire Center
Please visit: www.sierracarcare.com for a location nearest you.
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SPECIAL OFFER: INSTANT $25 OFF a Full Ignition Tune-Up
Keep your car running smoothly and reliably for many years ahead.
Offer Expires: March 31, 2013
Mention Coupon Code: IT25
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Please Meet….
Jake Koeber, Store Manager
Sierra Car Care – Sparks
(on corner of Prater and Pyramid Way)
“I work for Sierra Car Care because it’s a local shop where the big boss knows your name and truly cares about your family. You can’t ask for more than that in today’s world, where it’s everyone for themselves. Here at Sierra Car Care we are about the customer, the customer comes first.”
Gas for goodness
Every Wednesday in March, we’ll make a donation for every gallon of gas sold from our Sierra Car Care/MST Tire Centers. And we’ll donate $1.00 per tire sold each Saturday at MST Tire Center on Mill Street. All donations in March will support the Shakespeare Animal Fund.
For many elderly and disabled their animals mean everything in the world to them, and when their animals become ill or injured they have no money for emergency veterinary care. That’s where Shakespeare Animal Fund steps in.
Founded in January 2004 in memory of a dog named Shakespeare, the organization’s mission statement is to stop the suffering of animals by paying emergency veterinary bills for elderly, disabled and other low income individuals. And to date the fund has paid out more than $275,000, most in the northern Nevada and northern California areas. A registered 501©(3), all donations are tax deductible.
So when you need gas or new tires, you can also support our local, Shakespeare Animal Fund by visiting any of our 5 locations on Wednesdays for gas and Saturdays for tires (Mill Street location only).
For more information,visit: www.ShakespeareAnimalFund.org
Thanks for supporting our community!
Do you know a local charity you’d like us to consider supporting?
Please see details here.
Sierra Car Care & Tire Center 