Air quality affects us wherever we are in North Kansas City. Many decades ago, North Kansas City residents began to become aware of how air pollution negatively affects health. But what about the air inside your vehicle?

Cabin air filters are now coming on most new sedans since the 2000 model year. These filters clean the air in the passenger compartment. They can filter particles down to three microns, so that’s good enough to clean out dust, pollen and most pollutants. If you suffer from allergies in North Kansas City, this is very good news.

You can look in your sedan owner’s manual to see if you have a cabin air filter. If you do, there’ll be a recommendation for replacing it when it gets dirty. If you live where there’s a lot of dust, pollen or pollution, you may need to change it more often. You can also ask your honest service advisor at Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake in North Kansas City.

How hard it is to change a cabin air filter depends on your vehicle. Some are quite accessible; others take some doing to get to them. They’re usually in the sedan engine compartment or under the dashboard.

Because cabin air filters are so new on the scene, some North Kansas City motorists haven’t heard of them – even people who have cabin air filters. Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake service advisors report customers complaining of an unpleasant odor in their vehicle and it turned out to be a dirty cabin air filter.

An important note for North Kansas City hybrid owners: there is a special air filter that cleans the air that cools the hybrid battery pack. This filter should be inspected every time the cabin air filter is inspected and replaced if it is dirty so that the battery pack doesn’t overheat.

Give us a call

Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake
816.471.5540
101 Armour Rd
North Kansas City, MO 64116

At Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake in North Kansas City MO (64116) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 816.471.5540. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

A lot of Liberty drivers get custom wheels. When you do this yourself (over the internet . . .) you could run into trouble if you’re not careful. Sometimes, once they’re mounted, they just didn’t fit right. The tires rub in turns or on bumps. You don’t want that.

Consulting a tire professional at Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake can ensure you get the right fit. First he’ll ask you a series of questions about your driving needs in Liberty and what you want in your new wheels.

At Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake, we advise Liberty tire buyers that not every wheel can go on every car. Care must be taken so that tires and wheels are not too large or that the wheel is centered too far towards the outside or the inside so the tires rub.

If you don’t want to make any modifications to your sedan, you need to focus on the wheels that fit. With trucks, some Liberty people like much bigger tires so they need a suspension lift.

Also, most Liberty people don’t realize that you need to keep the rolling diameter of your new tires – that’s, like the overall height of the tire – very close to what came from the factory in order for your anti-lock brakes and stability control systems to work properly.

The sedan’s computers that control these systems are calibrated to a certain size tire. When you go bigger or smaller, the computer doesn’t know what changes you made so it can’t tell how fast you’re going. This, of course, means it sends commands to the brakes and traction control that are based on the wrong speed. If you go with a different rolling diameter, your sedan’s engine control computer can be reprogrammed for the new tire size. For information on reprogramming the engine computer, call us at 816.471.5540.

Either way, there are hundreds of wheel and tire choices to choose from in Liberty. You can pick the style of wheel you want and then talk with your Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake tire professional about how big the wheel should be – and select the right tire to meet your style, performance, ride and handling needs.

At Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake in North Kansas City MO (64116) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 816.471.5540. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

You may not be familiar with all of the items on Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake’s menu board so here is a quick description of some of the typical services that might be listed. Remember, the board is there for reference; speak to your Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake Service Adviser about other possible needs or services.

Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake Fuel System Cleaning: Over time, the fuel system gets gum and varnish built up. A fuel system cleaning at Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake gets rid of that and cleans out the fuel injectors. Saves gas as you drive around North Kansas City and on North Kansas City freeways, by the way.

Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake Headlamp Replacement: Halogen and standard headlamps gradually fade. When one burns out, replace both so they’ll have the same brightness. Also, if your headlamp lenses are yellowed or cloudy, you can have them professionally restored to like new-condition. As your honest Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake advisor for information.

Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake Inspections: North Kansas City drivers get inspections for many reasons. Maybe they’re going on a trip or just want to make sure their vehicle’s ready for summer or winter in North Kansas City. Maybe they just bought a used car and want to give it the once over. An inspection at Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake may reveal some things that are broken or are getting close to having a problem.

Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake Oil Change Service – there are several options: Some North Kansas City auto service centers offer just an oil change and new filter as an option. Most will also check and top off all of your other fluids and do a quick visual inspection with a full service oil change. There may also be options for higher mileage fluids or an upgrade to synthetic oil.

Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake PCV Valve Service: PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve. It’s a little part that releases pressure from the engine. It can get gummed up and that can lead to engine damage. Just needs to be changed now and then.

Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake Power Steering Service: Often overlooked. Your Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake technician will evacuate the old fluid, clean out the system and replace it with clean fluid. Keeps the system running well for a long time.

Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake Serpentine Belt Replacement: That’s the belt that powers the engine’s accessories like the alternator, air conditioner, power steering and brakes. You’ll want to replace the serpentine belt at Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake before it breaks or wears down too much, because that’ll lead to other problems.

Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake Shocks and Struts Replacement: This starts with an inspection of the suspension components. Shocks last a long time and wear out slowly, so many North Kansas City motorists don’t notice when it’s time to change them. If they’re worn or leaking, they need to be replaced.

Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake Transmission Service: This involves removing the transmission fluid and replacing it with clean fluid. It’s like an oil change for your transmission.

Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake Tire Rotation and Wheel Balancing: The tires are rotated from front to back using the recommended rotation pattern. This helps tires wear more evenly. Wheels need to be balanced from time to time to keep them turning without any wobble or bounce. Helps the ride and saves tire wear as you drive around North Kansas City.

Give us a call

Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake
816.471.5540
101 Armour Rd
North Kansas City, MO 64116

At Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake in North Kansas City MO (64116) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 816.471.5540. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The Check Engine Light strikes fear into the hearts of some North Kansas City drivers and is totally ignored by just as many. Just what it means is a mystery to most of us in MO.

First, if your sedan check engine light is flashing, that means that something is wrong that could cause severe damage to the catalytic converter or other components. Get that taken care of right away. If your check engine light is flashing, you shouldn’t drive at North Kansas City highway speeds, tow or haul heavy loads. Take it easy all the way to Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake in North Kansas City.

If the light is glowing steadily, you should keep an eye on it for a day or two. If the light doesn’t go off, schedule an appointment with your North Kansas City service advisor to get it checked out.

Some more information from Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake on how the Check Engine Light works may be informative. Most of your sedan engine functions are controlled by a computer, not surprisingly, called an engine control computer. The computer is able to adjust many engine parameters for environmental conditions, engine condition and even the way you drive in North Kansas City.

In order to make these adjustments, the sedan computer relies on a network of sensors to provide data. The computer knows the proper operating range for each sensor. When a sensor reading is out of range the computer runs some tests and may turn on the Check Engine Light.

The sedan computer will also try to make adjustments to compensate for some readings. If it can do so, it’ll then turn off the Check Engine Light.

If the problem can’t be resolved then the light will remain on and you should get your sedan looked at at Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake. Your honest service technician will plug a scanner into the on-board diagnostic port and read the trouble code stored in the computer. The trouble code will give your Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake technician a starting place as he diagnoses the cause of the problem.

At Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake, we also offer tires and wheel.

Give us a call

Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake
816.471.5540
101 Armour Rd
North Kansas City, MO 64116

At Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake in North Kansas City MO (64116) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 816.471.5540. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Car batteries wear out just like any other battery and need to be replaced. There are a couple of things North Kansas City sedan owners should know when looking for a new car battery: one is cold cranking amps and the other is reserve capacity.

Let’s start with cold cranking amps. This can be thought of as the power output used to start a cold sedan engine. The number of cold cranking amps you need depends on your vehicle and where you live around North Kansas City, specifically how cold it is where you live. The two factors are that the colder an engine is, the more power it takes to turn the sedan engine over to get it started. It has all that cold, sluggish oil to contend with. The other factor is that the chemical reaction in the battery that creates electrical energy is less efficient in the cold.

So the colder it gets in North Kansas City, more power is needed, but the available power drops.

If you live where it’s cold, you need a battery with more cold cranking amps than you do where it’s moderate or hot. You should always get at least as many cold cranking amps as the manufacturer recommends, but may want to upgrade at Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake if you live where it gets real cold.

An important note: Batteries may also list the Cranking Amps – CA – number. It is the Cold Cranking Amps – or CCA – that is the important number here. CCA is the number to use in your comparisons.

Now with all this talk of cold temperatures in North Kansas City, it’s important to note that heat is the real enemy of long battery life. In other words, the damage that’s done over the hot summer months in North Kansas City shows up with the increased demands on the sedan battery when the weather turns cold.

Now on to reserve capacity: It’s a measurement of the number of minutes of reserve power the battery has at a given load. The number is more important these days because of parasitic drain. Parasitic drain is the battery energy that’s used when the key is off. So the power drawn by the sedan security system, the remote start system, even the power the sedan computers require to maintain their memory.

Reserves are also needed when you make very short trips around North Kansas City. You’re not driving long enough for the battery to recover the energy it used to start the sedan engine.

So go with the minimum recommended by your manufacturer and upgrade if you need more. Talk with your honest Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake service advisor about options. If you need more from your battery, a larger capacity battery may be called for.

Batteries are a big ticket item for most North Kansas City motorists, so the warranty gives peace of mind. Be sure to ask about the car battery warranty at Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake so you know what you’re getting. At Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake, we have been providing quality auto service in North Kansas City for 26 years.

Give us a call

Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake
101 Armour Rd
North Kansas City, MO 64116

At Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake in North Kansas City MO (64116) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 816.471.5540. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

First, the serpentine belt drives your air conditioning system. Next, the belt powers the alternator.

The serpentine belt may also run the pumps for both the power steering and power brakes. In some sedans, power steering may have an electric drive and power brakes can be vacuum driven.

And, on many vehicles, the serpentine belt powers the water pump (on some cars, the water pump is powered by the timing belt).

Your Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake service technician can perform a visual inspection of the belt to see if it has any cracks that signal the belt could fail soon and will measure the amount of belt material to make sure there is enough.

North Kansas City drivers should be aware that there’s a special, spring loaded pulley attached to the engine called the tensioner pulley and sometimes an extra pulley call the idler pulley. Their job is to make sure there’s a constant tension on the serpentine belt so that it doesn’t slip. The spring can become worn and no longer provide the necessary pressure to keep the belt tight. That’s why it’s often recommended that the tensioner, and the idler pulley if so equipped, be replaced at the same time as the serpentine belt.

All in all, the serpentine belt’s an important part for the function of your sedan. And it’s not that expensive to replace at Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake – so it’s good to do so before it fails.

At Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake in North Kansas City MO (64116) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 816.471.5540. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Now when you hear “severe service”, you may think it doesn’t apply to you because you don’t feel your driving conditions are severe or extreme – it’s just normal everyday driving around North Kansas City. At Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake, we discuss the conditions that manufacturers classify as severe so that you can make the judgment on your own driving.

• Most trips are less than four miles
• Most trips are less than ten miles and outside temperatures are below freezing in North Kansas City
• You drive in very hot MO weather
• Driving at low speed most of the time (under 55 mph)
• Stop and go driving
• Operating your vehicle in dusty, polluted or muddy conditions
• You tow a trailer, regularly carry heavy loads or carry a car-top carrier on your sedan

Most North Kansas City drivers operate under severe driving conditions at least some of the time. How do you know which schedule to follow for your sedan?

Carefully think about your driving conditions and decide if you should do your preventive maintenance closer to the severe service recommendation or the regular recommendation. Of course, your Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake advisor can help you with your decision.

At Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake in North Kansas City MO (64116) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 816.471.5540. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The crankcase is the bottom area of the engine that holds the oil. When the sedan engine’s running, fuel is burned to generate power. Most of the exhaust from combustion goes out through the exhaust system. But some exhaust blows by the pistons and goes into the lower engine, or crankcase.

These hot gases are about seventy percent unburned fuel. This can dilute and contaminate the oil, leading to damaging engine oil sludge. It can also cause engine corrosion in your sedan. At high speeds, the pressure can build up to the point that gaskets and seals start to leak.

Kansas City car owners need to know that over time, the vented gases will gum up the PCV valve and it won’t work well. That can lead to all of the problems I’ve already described, oil leaks, excessive oil consumption and wasted gas.

Fortunately, it’s very easy to test the PCV valve and quick and inexpensive to replace it at Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake. Even so, it’s often overlooked because many Kansas City drivers don’t know about it.

Check your sedan owner’s manual or ask your Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake advisor. If this is the first time you’ve heard of a PCV valve, you might be in line for a PCV valve replacement.

Please ask us about your PCV valve. For the price of a couple of burger combo meals, you can avoid some very expensive deep engine repairs.

At Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake in North Kansas City MO (64116) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 816.471.5540. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

In addition to just wearing out, Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake customers need to know that suspension components can be damaged in an accident or by a hard impact – like a pothole, hitting a curb or a rock in the road.

Because the life span of shocks can vary so widely, your sedan manufacturer and Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake recommend periodic inspections. During an inspection, your Liberty service technician will check for worn, broken or missing parts.

Signs that shocks or struts are wearing out: The tires may have a cupped wear pattern. This is from the shocks bouncing unevenly as you drive around Liberty. You may notice a floaty or drifting sensation when cornering. If the front of your sedan dives excessively when stopping, or rocks back and forth after you stopped, your shocks may be worn out. And if they are leaking fluid, it’s definitely time to replace them.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, come into Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake for a suspension inspection. Same if you’ve been in an accident that involved one of your wheels. Worn or broken shocks can cause premature wear or failure on other sedan suspension parts such as ball joints and other steering components as well. If your suspension actually fails, it could lead to a serious accident, so let us take care of your suspension components at Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake.

When you replace your shocks, it’s usually a good idea to replace all four at the same time. That’ll give you more even handling. Talk with your service advisor at Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake because you don’t want a big difference between the performance of your shocks from wheel to wheel, and replacing all may be the safest bet.

At Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake in North Kansas City MO (64116) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 816.471.5540. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Let’s focus on stopping in wet North Kansas City conditions. In order for a tire to have good contact with the road, it has to move the water out of the way. If it can’t move the water, the tire will actually ride on top of a thin film of water.

That’s called hydroplaning. At Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake we want our customers to know that if it’s really bad, you can actually spin out of control. At best, you won’t stop as fast.

So how does a tire move water? It has channels for water to flow through. Look at a tire and you’ll see channels: channels that run around the tire and channels that flow across the tire. They’re designed to direct water away from the tire so it can contact the road better.

And the deeper the channel, the more water it can move. A brand new tire has very deep channels and can easily move a lot of water. As the tire wears down, the channels become shallower and can move less water. When it wears down enough, it can seriously affect your ability to stop on wet North Kansas City roads.

So that’s why it’s so important for North Kansas City drivers to replace the tires on their sedans when they get worn. Consumer Reports and other advocate groups call for a standard of 3/32 of an inch and they have the studies to prove it.

By comparison, you’ve probably seen the wear indicator that’s molded into tires. When tires are worn 3/32 of an inch, the tread wear bar is visible. So the recommended standard has twice the tread depth as a completely worn out tire.

And that little bit of additional tread makes a big difference. Stopping distances are cut dramatically on wet roads. A safe stop from MO freeway speeds with 4/32 of an inch of tread would result in a crash with worn out tires.

There’s an easy way to tell when a tire’s worn to 4/32 of an inch. Just insert a quarter into the tread. Put it in upside down. If the tread doesn’t cover George Washington’s hairline, it’s time to replace your tires. With a Canadian quarter, the tread should cover the numbers in the year stamp.

You’ve probably heard of this technique using a penny and Abe Lincoln’s head. That measure gives you 2/32 of an inch – half the suggested amount.

Of course, tires are a big ticket item for North Kansas City car owners. Most of us want to get as many miles out of them as we can. But there’s a real safety trade-off. It’s your choice.

At Jim’s Discount Tire & Brake in North Kansas City MO (64116) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 816.471.5540. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.