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Do you feel like your tires don't bite the road quite like they used to? It's very disconcerting to lose confidence in your tires. The Toyota tire care tips below will ensure your tires stay strong on all road surfaces. more Measure Tread Depths For optimal grip strength, your tire treads will need void depths of over 2/32 of an inch. Once tires wear down to this level, they're unsafe to use. Measure the tread depths of each tire monthly and prepare to replace tires with overly shallow treads. Many drivers replace their tires even before the treads reach 2/32 of an inch, just to be on the safe side. Check Air Pressure Your tires are designed to function at a very specific PSI. It's essential to keep them inflated at precisely the air pressure stipulated in your owner's manual. Once a month, measure the air pressure in each tire; if the PSI is off, add or remove air. If a tire seems to be losing air persistently, have it examined for faults or hidden punctures. Rotate Your Tires Don't allow your tires to wear down unevenly. Uneven tread wear shortens tire lifespan, reduces traction, and increases the risk of weaker tires blowing out. Most drivers need a tire rotation twice a year. In addition, when checking your tires each month, look out for uneven wear patterns. Get Tire Alignments Tires can come out of proper alignment due to worn suspension components or knocks against potholes. This exacerbates uneven tire wear and leads to serious handling issues. Routine alignments will keep your tires properly parallel and safe to use; twice a year is suitable for most drivers. Balance Each Tire Tires naturally develop slight imperfections in weight distribution around the rim. This creates vibrations, uneven wear, and tire damage. You can resolve this problem with regular balancing every six months or so, where the technician adds weights to the rim at precise points to distribute weight effectively. Maintain Your Suspension Worn suspension parts will usually cause tire trouble. As these two components are so closely linked, try to keep your suspension in great shape, which will also preserve the tires. It's wise to have your suspension inspected and tuned once a year. Drive Patiently Aggressive driving puts unnecessary strain on many car parts, including the tires. When you accelerate and brake harshly, the rubber is worn out faster. Sharp corners at speed strain both the tires and suspension. Instead, drive more gently, and try to avoid potholes and rough road surfaces as much as possible. Schedule tire maintenance today with our experienced technicians at Toyota of Kingsport in Kingsport, TN. With prompt, courteous service and state-of-the-art methods, we'll keep your car safe and sure on the road.

Hybrid cars, like your Toyota, combine the power of combustion engines and electric motors. This means you're driving an environmentally friendly car that doesn't just burn less gas but is also cheaper to maintain. To save money every time you hit the road, follow these great Toyota hybrid maintenance tips from your Toyota dealer. Drive Your Car Regularly The high-voltage battery pack stores energy from the engine and regenerative braking system. The car battery supplies power to the electrical system. Regularly driving your hybrid for a few miles will help maintain a proper charge. more Look After Both Your Batteries Taking care of both your hybrid and car batteries will keep them in top condition and make them last longer. Check your hybrid's owner's manual for the recommended maintenance intervals for both these batteries and stick to them. Our certified technicians will expertly handle all the necessary battery inspections and tests to make sure both batteries work perfectly and won't let you down. Don't Forget Your Engine Taking care of your hybrid's engine is still a very important part of maintenance. Even though your hybrid uses less oil, your engine will still need proper lubrication to minimize the wear. Check the oil level regularly and change the oil and the filter at the intervals recommended by Toyota to keep contaminants out and your engine clean. Change the Air Filters Your hybrid has an engine air filter and a fan filter for the air-cooled hybrid battery pack. The engine air filter keeps dust and dirt away from the engine, but when the filter gets dirty and clogged, your engine works harder and burns more gas. The fan filter keeps the battery cool and clean. By regularly replacing these filters, your battery and engine will last much longer. Check Your Brakes Regularly The regenerative braking system not only helps slow down your car but also recharges the hybrid battery. Even though hybrid brakes tend to last longer, they still need regular check-ups. Ask your Toyota technician, who knows and understands the regenerative braking system, to inspect your brakes regularly for your safety. Inspect and Rotate Your Tires Make a habit of inspecting your tires regularly for wear and damage, maintaining the correct pressure levels, and rotating them every time your car comes for an oil change. Hybrids have particular tire needs, so check your owner's manual for details and talk to us about the best tires for your car. Follow these tips and count on our certified Toyota technicians to keep your hybrid running at its best. For expert hybrid services, swing by Toyota of Kingsport, TN, today. Our team will answer all your hybrid questions and help you keep your Toyota in top shape.

Toyotas are pretty legendary for their reliability and staying power, but even these road warriors need regular TLC to keep ticking along happily for as long as possible. Getting into a regular groove with your Toyota maintenance is key to keeping your car in top-notch shape. Here's the rundown on the essential upkeep your ride needs at the Toyota dealer. Toyota Maintenance to Keep Your Car Running Like New Oil Changes Oil changes are non-negotiable. Hitting that oil change reliably every 5,000 to 7,500 miles keeps your engine humming smoothly. Oil changes prevent premature wear on engine components, help keep your engine from overheating, and even keep things cleaner under the hood. Your Toyota's manual is your guide for nailing down the specifics. more Tire Care Tires are a big deal since they literally keep you rolling. An air pressure check every month and regular rotations when you change your oil makes sure your wear stays even and your gas mileage stays its best. Brake Checks Since stopping is an important part of every drive, keeping an eye on your brakes is crucial. Peek at those brake pads every so often (every 10,000 miles or so should do) and plan on swapping them out if they're worn, usually by 30,000 miles. Fresh brake fluid every couple of years keeps the whole system responsive. Keep an Eye on Your Battery The battery's got a lifespan of about 3 to 5 years, but life (and weather) happens. Check it yearly once you hit the three-year mark to avoid getting stranded. Look for signs like dim lights or slow starts as clues that it might be time for a new one. Fill Those Fluids Your Toyota's got a bunch of fluids coursing through it, from coolant to transmission fluid. Keeping them topped up and fresh is vital. Stick to the schedule for flushes and replacements to ward off overheating and other mechanical woes. Check your manual for the proper timeline for your car. Filter Changes Clean air filters mean a happy engine and a pleasant cabin. Swap out the engine air filter every 15,000 to 30,000 miles and the cabin air filter every 20,000 to 25,000 miles to keep dust and debris at bay. It's a simple switch that keeps performance and air quality up. Replace Your Spark Plugs Spark plugs might be tiny, but they pack a punch in starting your Toyota and keeping it running efficiently. If your ride starts getting a little sluggish or the fuel economy dips, worn spark plugs might be the culprits. They may need a refresh anywhere between 30,0000 and 90,000 miles, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. Team Up With Your Toyota Dealer for Maintenance Does all that maintenance seem overwhelming? It doesn't have to be! Head over to your local dealership for assistance scheduling all the maintenance your car needs to keep it running smoothly for miles and miles. Loving your Toyota means looking after it, so if you stick to the plan it will keep rolling reliably, just like it's supposed to. Call Toyota of Kingsport in Kingsport, TN, to schedule your next service today.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​In the old days, identifying a problem in your car could take time. A mechanic had to carefully examine one or more systems and test them to find the source of trouble. Since the 1980s, cars have had computers, and the computer makes diagnosis faster, easier, and cheaper than ever before. As your Toyota dealer, we want to tell you about how an engine diagnostic works and some of the potential faults it can reveal. Computer and Sensors Your computer has a vast network of sensors that connect to it. Each of these sensors is connected to an important system, like the alternator or the fuel injectors. These sensors receive instructions from the computer and also scan their attached components for any sign of trouble. If something goes wrong with a component, the sensor sends the information to your computer almost instantly. more When your computer receives the information, it generates an error code pointing to the problem in the affected system and stores this information in its memory. The computer also causes one or more of the warning lights on your dash to illuminate. The warning light could highlight a specific system, for example, the brake pad warning, or identify a more general issue, like an illuminated check engine light. What a Diagnostic Does When you bring your car to us with an illuminated warning light, we can quickly identify the reason for the warning light by connecting your computer to our diagnostic machine. This machine will show a list of any error codes the computer has generated. Some error codes are generic and apply to many different makes and models, but most codes are specific to your Toyota. Our diagnostic system has been supplied by Toyota, and can rapidly identify any possible error code in your vehicle. Using the diagnostic machine saves you time and money, as we can identify and repair a problem far more affordably and save you lost time away from your Toyota. Benefits of a Diagnostic A diagnostic can reveal a wide variety of issues. Many drivers don't know that sensors can detect even a tiny change in their connected components. The changes a diagnostic reveals may be a long way from becoming a serious issue. Once we've identified what's wrong, we can repair the problem or replace the affected components before they can cause any damage. Most potential faults can be identified by a diagnostic check. These include brake malfunctions, transmission failures, exhaust blockages, and engine trouble. Many drivers also get a diagnostic to have the peace of mind of knowing that their vehicle is in great shape and has not reported problems at all. If you'd like to know more or to book a diagnostic, contact our service department today at Toyota of Kingsport in Kingsport, TN.

​​​​​​​​​​​​Your Toyota is designed to give you a comfortable, safe, and fuel-efficient driving experience. It's composed of numerous systems that work together to deliver the performance you deserve. These systems require servicing and maintenance to keep them working at their best. As your Toyota dealership, we want to give you some preventative maintenance tips. Protect the Paint It can be very easy to forget that your car's paint will get damaged over time if it's not protected. The paint is exposed to grit, dirt, mud, and water. While snow and ice are not usually a problem here in Kingsport, TN, the sun's UV rays can cause your paint job to turn dull over time. Fortunately, these problems can be prevented with very little effort. One of the best ways to protect your paint is to wash your car regularly. Washing removes grit and dust that can scratch the paint, and it makes your car look brighter already. Waxing is also an essential tool for your paint, as it adds a protective coating between your paint and the environment.  We advise waxing your car at least twice a year, at the end of spring and the end of fall. more Check Your Tires Tire condition affects your safety. If your tires are in good condition and have a healthy tread, they'll work efficiently. Good tread allows them to grip the surface, and this translates into faster braking. Good tires also reduce strain on the braking system, axles, and even your engine, and this can prevent many avoidable repairs. Regularly checking the condition of your tires will allow you to identify problems that can be quickly and easily fixed. If your tires show excessive wear, we can rotate them for you to reduce damage and extend their life. Another important part of tire maintenance is to make sure your tires are correctly inflated. Over or underinflated tires generate extra wear and tear, which reduces tire life. Replace Windshield Wipers Most drivers don't notice their windshield wipers until it's raining. The wipers have rubber blades that allow water or mud to be quickly and efficiently removed without damaging the windshield glass. The wipers can become damaged over time, and this could cause them to fail or damage your windshield. The rubber blades will become less flexible over time as the rubber loses its flexibility, and pieces of the rubber can break off. The lack of flexibility makes it more difficult to remove water as quickly as you need it to. Missing chunks of rubber from damaged blades can cause the wipers to scratch your glass. We can easily replace your wipers to prevent these potential problems. There are many other types of maintenance. If you'd like to know more, visit us today at Toyota of Kingsport.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Brake pads are an important part of your Toyota's braking system. They generate the friction that brings your car to a stop. These pads wear down over time and will eventually need replacement. As your Toyota dealer, we want you to know some of the signs that you need to visit us for new pads. Screeching Brakes A set of pads fits into each caliper, and a caliper is positioned above each of your wheel rotors. When you hit the brakes, the calipers clamp on either side of the wheel rotors. The pads generate friction against the smooth wheel rotors, and this action brings the rotors to a stop. Each time you apply the brakes, tiny parts of the pads fleck off. When a pad's friction material covering has worn down, a tiny metal spike will become visible. This spike will scratch against the rotor surface and produce a loud screeching noise. The spike won't damage the rotor, but it serves as a loud reminder that it's time to change your pads. Our technicians can quickly and easily replace them for you. more Grinding Brakes A harsh metallic grinding noise is a sign of trouble. As we saw above, the friction material covering slowly wears down. Screeching noises are a sign that the covering has worn down sufficiently to need replacement. If the pad isn't replaced, the material covering will continue to wear off. Once the material covering has gone, only the bare metal of the pad will remain. The next time you apply your brakes, the metal pad will gouge into the softer metal of the rotor and produce grinding noises. Parts of the metal pad can also scour rings in the rotor surface. If this happens, your pads need to be replaced immediately before they cause further damage. We'll also examine your rotors and resurface them if necessary. Glazed Pads Glazed pads are caused by the pads being in contact with moving rotors for an extended period. This can happen if you regularly need to ride your brakes, for example, by driving downhill. When the rough friction material of the pads is held against the smooth rotor surface, a pad will develop a smooth, glass-like exterior. A glazed pad can't generate any friction, and the lack of friction means the affected brake won't work. When you hit the brakes, your car can veer toward the side opposite to the glazed pad. This happens because the pad prevents the brake from working. We'll examine your pads and replace any glazed ones. Pads are quick and easy to replace, and new pads reduce wear and tear on your braking system. Call our service department today at Toyota of Kingsport.

If you want your Toyota to look as good as new for thousands of miles, it's essential to protect the paint. To help you preserve your vehicle's appearance, your Toyota dealer provides helpful tips on the best car paint protection techniques. 1. Regularly Wash Your Car Washing your car at least once a week is your first defense against damage. Dust, dirt, and insects can damage the paint job, and due to their acidic nature, tree sap and bird droppings can eat away at the clear coat and the paint. To prevent this from happening, wash your car regularly with specialized cleaners to avoid stripping the wax. Use a microfiber cloth for drying to prevent streaks and scratches. more 2. Protect the Paint From the Sun Protect your car from the sun by parking in the shade or under cover. Prolonged exposure to the sun's harmful rays can cause fading and oxidation of the color, which can ruin a car's finish faster than you think. To avoid damaging the paint, park under a carport or in a garage whenever possible. If you park in the shade, watch out for tree sap that will damage the paint. 3. Make Use of a Car Cover If you have to park your car in direct sunlight for extended periods, a high-quality, water-resistant car cover can work wonders to shield your car's paint from sun damage. Consider a metallic cover in a lighter color in summer, as it's the best option to reflect the sun's heat. 4. Wax Your Car Protecting your car's clear coat with paste wax, liquid wax, or detailing spray every few months will protect the paint against pollution, street salt, and the sun's harmful rays. Paste wax can remove fine scratches, liquid wax is easier to apply and buff off, and detailing spray offers quick protection but is less effective. 5. Apply Long-Lasting Protection There are a few options that will protect your vehicle's paint over a long period. Synthetic waxes or sealants in spray or liquid form can give your car a glossy finish, and the protection can last up to six months. Ceramic coating comes in a convenient spray bottle, is easy to apply, offers excellent protection against dirt, chemical damage, and minor scratches, and, although a bit more expensive, lasts longer. If you want to safeguard your vehicle's vulnerable areas against minor scratches and chips, applying a paint protection film to the hood, bumpers, and doors is a great option. Although costly, it provides the ultimate protection against wear and damage. If you want to protect your vehicle's paint from the elements and keep it looking shiny and new, drop by Toyota of Kingsport today. Our knowledgeable staff can provide more information on protecting your paint job and help you choose the best paint protection technique.

Driving your Toyota feels like a dream with its smooth handling, purring engine, and unmistakable reliability. But like every good relationship, your bond with your Toyota needs regular check-ins. One piece of maintenance you should be doing at your Toyota dealer is tire rotation. If you've been skipping this step, think again. It can make a big difference to your ride. 1. Ensure Even Tire Wear Every time you set off on a journey, be it a quick dash to the grocery store or a lengthy road trip, your Toyota's tires wear down a little. However, they don't all wear down at the same rate. The front tires, for instance, wear out more quickly, and at uneven rates. The rear ones, on the other hand, tend to wear slower and more evenly. more So, without a rotation, you might end up with two tires looking older than their age and two looking comparatively fresh. By rotating your tires regularly, you can make sure all four tires wear out evenly, offering you consistent traction and handling. It's kind of like giving your tires a mini-vacation from their usual position. 2. Save Some Green By regularly rotating your tires, you can stretch out the lifespan of your entire tire set. Even wear means they'll hit their retirement point together, allowing you to replace the entire set at once. Often you'll find deals when buying a set of four, which can be kinder to your bank account than replacing them one at a time. Unevenly worn tires can also make your car work harder, reducing its fuel efficiency. More trips to the gas station really add up over time. Additionally, tires with uneven wear can have a reduced lifespan, leading to earlier-than-expected replacement costs. 3. Smoother, Safer Rides Have you ever felt your car vibrating oddly at higher speeds, or found it pulling to one side? Uneven tire wear might be the culprit. Tires that have worn unevenly can lead to an unbalanced car, affecting its handling and performance. It can also impact brake efficiency, especially in tricky situations like wet roads. Visit Your Toyota Dealer to Rotate Your Tires Regularly rotating your tires helps pamper them and ensure that they last a long time. Generally, the sweet spot for tire rotations is every 6,000 to 8,000 miles, but your Toyota's manual or the experts at the dealership can provide specifics tailored to your model. Next time you're thinking of a little TLC for your Toyota, pop over to the dealership. If it's time to get those tires rotated, schedule a service appointment with Toyota of Kingsport today.

We get it. You're busy. Between work, family, and the many other obligations you have, life is hectic. Sometimes it's easy to let car maintenance slide, but staying on top of the recommended services for your vehicle will keep it in tip-top shape, and your local Toyota dealership can help. 1. Stick to a Regular Schedule of Oil Changes Regularly changing the oil in your car is an easy way of keeping it in good condition. Clean oil lubricates the engine and keeps it working efficiently. Conventional wisdom is to schedule an oil change every 3,000 miles, but if you're using synthetic oil you can go for longer intervals. more Each time you take your car in for an oil change, the mechanic will inspect the vehicle, replenish any automotive fluids that are low, and alert you to any emerging problems. So the oil change appointment also serves as a general wellness visit for your vehicle. 2. Check Your Tire Pressure Keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure offers a host of benefits. It ensures that your vehicle is burning fuel efficiently and that your tires are wearing evenly. Tires that wear unevenly are unsafe to drive on and can strain the vehicle's suspension, brakes, and other automotive systems. In addition to monitoring your tire pressure, you should have the tires rotated at regular intervals. 3. Read Your Owner's Manual It may not be the most exciting thing you ever read, but your vehicle's owner's manual is a great resource for maintaining your vehicle. This manual spells out when manufacturer-recommended services should be scheduled. It also contains information on what type of gasoline and motor oil should be used, and how to diagnose vehicular problems. Every Toyota model is a little different, so your owner's manual is the best way to understand your vehicle. 4. Use the Right Octane Some drivers are tempted to use a higher octane fuel with the theory that more is better. But sticking with the octane that your car was designed to run on keeps it functioning at optimum efficiency. 5. Visually Inspect Your Car Take a few minutes every once in a while to look at your car, noting anything about the exterior that needs to be addressed. Are there cracks in the windshield? Are the tires fully inflated? Are your headlights emitting bright, clear beams of light? Small maintenance concerns can grow into big ones if they aren't addressed, so it's important to pay attention to the parts of your vehicle that need repair. Maintaining your vehicle doesn't have to be difficult. Following a few simple tips will keep your car, truck, or SUV on the road for years to come. When you're ready to schedule your next service appointment, call Toyota of Kingsport.

We all know how much love and care we pour into our Toyotas. From taking it to the Toyota dealer to ensure the oil is fresh to checking the tire pressure, regular maintenance can help keep your car running smoothly. There's one little component under the hood that may escape regular attention, however: the car air filter. What Does the Air Filter Do? The air filter of your vehicle acts a bit like its lungs. Just like we need clean air to breathe, your Toyota's engine needs clean air to function at its best. The air filter ensures that the air entering the engine is free from contaminants like dirt, dust, and other pesky particles. Having a clean air filter allows for better combustion, improves fuel efficiency, and overall, helps you have a happier, healthier engine. more Signs Your Toyota May Need a New Car Air Filter Not sure when it's time to swap out that old filter for a new one? There are a couple of signs that you can watch out for to be sure you don't leave your car struggling with a dirty filter. Drop in Fuel Efficiency If you've noticed that your car's miles per gallon have taken a little tumble, it might be due to a dirty air filter. When it's clogged, the engine has to work harder, using up more fuel in the process. Weird Engine Sounds When idling, your Toyota's engine should purr like a contented cat. However, if it's making odd noises or sounds rougher than usual, it might be gasping for cleaner air through a dirt-clogged filter. Reduced Horsepower Remember the oomph you feel when you press down on the accelerator? If your car has started feeling sluggish when accelerating, a choked air filter might be the culprit. Black Smoke or Flames From the Exhaust If your exhaust is emitting black smoke or even small flames, it's a pretty clear sign that something is wrong. The engine may be getting too much fuel and not enough it, leading to unburned fuel escaping through the exhaust. Check Engine Light If your check engine light flashes on, don't panic. While the light can turn on for a variety of reasons, a clogged air filter can be one of the simpler causes. Visual Inspection Sometimes the simplest way to tell is just to take a peek! If you open up the air filter and it looks dirty, clogged, or dark, it's a clear indicator that it's time for a change. Replace Your Air Filter at Your Toyota Dealer While it might seem like an air filter is a minor piece of your car, it plays a pivotal role in keeping your Toyota running smoothly. Fortunately, checking and replacing it is a straightforward task that won't break the bank. The experts at your local dealership will have you and your car in and out in no time! Give your Toyota the breath of fresh air it deserves! Not only will it reward you with better performance and fuel efficiency, but you'll also know you're doing your part to keep it running smoothly. If you think it's time to make the change, visit Toyota of Kingsport to give your car the care it needs.

Modern synthetic motor oil performs several vital functions, including lubricating moving engine parts, reducing friction and wear, cleaning out debris, dirt, contaminants, and deposits, keeping the temperature down, maintaining hydraulic pressure, and more. If you allow your oil to grow too old and degraded, you're putting your engine at risk in multiple ways. With this in mind, let's look at how often you should visit your local Toyota dealership for a routine oil change. Change Your Oil At Least Every Six Months For the average driver, synthetic motor oil will usually stay in good working condition for 5,000 to 7,500 miles. This usually works out to about six months of driving. If you're on the road much more than most drivers, consider having your oil refreshed more frequently than this. more Keep Your Warranty Valid By Changing Oil Often If you have a valid powertrain warranty, it's wise to change your oil as regularly as the warranty stipulates. This provides you with the reassurance that your engine is covered in the unlikely event of a serious malfunction. Consider the Severity of Your Driving Conditions When a car's engine and motor oil are put under excess pressure by tougher, more severe driving conditions, the oil wears down faster and needs to be replaced more frequently. Severe conditions might include regular short drives of under five miles; these short trips don't give the oil enough time to properly warm up and lubricate, thereby causing additional wear and tear. Signs That You've Already Left It Too Long If you're unsure how long ago you last changed your oil, you can use the dipstick to check the condition of the oil's condition. New motor oil is amber and translucent. As the oil ages, it becomes thicker and dirtier, so if you can't see the dipstick through the oil, it's probably time to have it changed. A few more warning signs include strange scraping or knocking sounds from the engine as friction rises, dropping engine power, and dark smoke emitting from the tailpipe. Degraded oil is also likely to cause your dashboard's check engine light to come on. Schedule Routine Servicing at Your Toyota Dealership The best way to stay up-to-date with your oil servicing visits is to schedule them at your local dealership. The technicians can judge how severe your typical driving conditions are, set up a suitable schedule, and send you reminders whenever the arranged date is approaching. Visit Toyota of Kingsport today to have your oil refreshed by qualified professionals. We're a local award-winning, family-owned dealership that's been providing the drivers of greater Kingsport with top-notch vehicles and customer service since 1978.

With over 11,000 crashes caused each year by blowouts or skids, tire failure is a risk that every driver should take seriously. New tires are far less likely to experience problems than old, damaged, or worn-down tires. If you notice any of the following signs of tire trouble, head to your local Toyota dealer for a new set of tires without delay. Aging Tires No matter how good the condition of your tires, it's wise to replace them after they reach a certain age. Most tire manufacturers will recommend tire replacements after six years or so. Check the recommended age limit for your own particular brand. Even if you drive less frequently and far than the average driver, tire rubber tends to wear down and lose strength over time, eventually becoming unsafe to drive on. more Well-Traveled Tires Another metric to pay attention to is how much usage you've put your tires through. After a certain number of miles, all tires eventually need to be replaced. It's best to know the mileage limit on your tire manufacturer's warranty and replace your tires once you reach that number. This is often around 60,000 miles, though the figure will vary from brand to brand. Shallow Treads No matter the age or mileage, if a tire's tread depth becomes too shallow to grip the road reliably, it's time for replacement tires. The minimum safe tread depth is usually considered to be 2/32 of an inch. During winter, when you need more tread depth to maintain traction on slippery surfaces, you may want to replace your tires before their treads become this shallow. Bulging Rubber Internal damage can sometimes cause the external rubber of tires to bulge. If you ever notice a bulge in one of your tires, have it checked at once by a technician. An internal puncture may have caused the bulge, meaning the tire is no longer safe to use. Excessive Cracks Small cuts of holes in a tire may be reparable, but multiple cracks spreading throughout the sidewalls usually mean the tire has to go. Cracks are often caused by the rubber's chemicals and moisture dissipating, leaving the rubber brittle, inflexible, and susceptible to damage and blowouts. Plummeting Pressure Tire pressure should always be maintained at the optimal level recommended by the vehicle's manufacturer. If your monthly air pressure checks or automatic tire pressure monitor ever shows you that a tire is steadily losing air, you may have a hidden puncture on your hands. Any tire that can no longer hold air reliably will usually have to go. Have your tires checked, rotated, or replaced today at Toyota of Kingsport. Since 1978, our award-winning family-owned dealership has been taking care of the region's drivers with excellent vehicles and customer service.