Rockland & Rockport Auto Repair

The construction of the modern tire is a testament to how far engineering and technology have come over the centuries. No more are the days of an air-filled donut comprised of rubber. Years of research by the world’s top tire companies have resulted in the tires we have today, which are full of state-of-the-art materials and technology.   Tread   The outermost layer of your tire is called the tread. This is the patterned rubber layer you can see. The pattern of the tread will depend on the type of tire you purchase and what use it is intended for.   Belts (or Belt System)   Directly below the tread of your tire are the belts. Most commonly, belts are constructed of steel. Their primary purpose is to provide stability and strength to the tread so that the tires will handle better and last longer.   Body Ply   One of the most important parts in the construction of the tire, the body ply, is located ben ... read more

You’ve probably been told at some point in your driving career to not drive your car while the gas tank is on empty, but did you know why that is? This recommendation is more than just an old wives’ tale—you can damage your car by ignoring that gas light for too long.Driving with no Gas   First, you should understand what your fuel light indicator really means. When you hear the familiar “ding” that accompanies your fuel light, your fuel tank has reached “reserve” levels, or around 10-15% capacity. It is possible to calculate how long that will last using your car’s average range, but we would advise against it, just to be safe. Avoid doing the math if you know you are the type of person to risk it and drive on empty anyway.   One reason it’s not advisable to drive on an empty tank is the potential damage to your fuel pump. The fuel pump is responsible for transporting gasoline from the tank to the engine, and it depends o ... read more