0:00 / 0:00
Wheel Bearing Basics, Time to Check Tire Pressure, Summer Tires vs. Winter Tires

Wheel Bearing Basics, Time to Check Tire Pressure, Summer Tires vs. Winter Tires

WCCO's Car Care Nov 01, 2025 27 min
0:00
0:00

About this episode

Exploring essential car maintenance, this episode dives into wheel bearing issues, tire pressure checks, and the differences between summer and winter tires. Expert technician Nick Stoffel shares insights on diagnosing wheel bearing problems, the importance of timely repairs, and how to handle tire pressure warnings as temperatures drop. Listeners also learn about the benefits of seasonal tire changes and the significance of regular tire rotations. With practical advice and real-life examples, this episode equips car owners with the knowledge to keep their vehicles safe and efficient.

Filter:
|
Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Part

wheel bearing

"I was thinking, I think I got a wheel bearing problem. Judging from our show, which I do listen once in a while, you know, as we're talking, maybe learning a little bit here and there, I thought this is kind of a humming sound."

A wheel bearing helps the wheels turn smoothly. If it's damaged, it can make a humming noise and make it harder to drive the car.

Part

brake rotor

"...shifting and moving and rubbing into a brake rotor or a caliper. And those situations can also be very dangerous."

The brake rotor is a metal disc that helps stop your car when you press the brake pedal. If it gets worn out, your brakes might not work as well, which can be dangerous.

Part

caliper

"...rubbing into a brake rotor or a caliper. And those situations can also be very dangerous."

The caliper is the part of the brake system that holds the brake pads and squeezes them against the brake rotor to stop the car. If it's not working properly, your brakes won't work well.

Part

drive axle

"...you get the drive axle out of the way, sometimes you have to remove some of the steering suspension..."

The drive axle is a part that helps turn the wheels by carrying power from the engine. It's important for making the car move forward or backward.

Part

bearing assembly

"...but that whole bearing assembly will slide off of the chassis of the vehicle, you'll install the new one and then just reverse order..."

A bearing assembly helps the wheels spin smoothly. It's like a set of small balls inside a ring that lets parts move easily without rubbing against each other.

Part

bearings

"You take the bearings in new grease and you know, either you have a pump or you do it by hand..."

Bearings help parts of a car move smoothly without rubbing against each other. They are important for things like wheels to turn easily.

Part

cotter key

"...install the nut and the cotter key."

A cotter key is a small metal pin that keeps nuts and bolts from coming loose. It helps hold parts together safely.

Part

dust shield

"...is he had to straighten out whatever the term is. I think they called it a dust shield or some kind of protector. Tell me about what that is."

A dust shield is a part of the car that keeps dirt and dust from getting into important areas, like the brakes. It helps the brakes work better and last longer.

Part

tin shield

"...when they designed these vehicles to kind of protect the brakes and some of those rotating components, they put a tin shield on the inboard side..."

A tin shield is a metal cover that protects important parts of a car, like the brakes, from dirt and damage. It helps keep those parts working properly.

Car

Nissan Altima

"2015 Nissan Altima at highway speeds, a loud hum is created."

The Nissan Altima is a car that many people use for everyday driving. The 2015 version is known for being comfortable and good on gas.

Part

all-season tires

"I have older all-season tires on the car that show uneven wear."

All-season tires are types of tires that can be used in different weather, like rain or light snow. They are good for everyday driving but might not be the best for extreme weather.

Term

uneven wear

"They mentioned uneven wear. Maybe if there's some cupping or abnormal wear, they can rotate them in a manner where they're spinning in the other direction."

Uneven wear means that some parts of the tire are more worn out than others. This can happen for various reasons, like not having the tires aligned properly or if the air pressure is off.

Term

cupping

"Maybe if there's some cupping or abnormal wear, they can rotate them in a manner where they're spinning in the other direction."

Cupping is when parts of the tire tread wear down unevenly, creating a bumpy surface. This can happen if the car's suspension isn't working right or if the tires aren't inflated properly.

Term

tire rotation

"Maybe if there's some cupping or abnormal wear, they can rotate them in a manner where they're spinning in the other direction. See if they know it goes away."

Tire rotation means changing the position of the tires on your car, like moving the front tires to the back. This helps them wear evenly and last longer.

Term

tire aging

"If the tires are aged, sometimes that rubber does start to dry out a bit and create that uneven wear and it might be due for a set of tires."

Tire aging is when tires get old and the rubber starts to break down, even if they look okay. This can make them unsafe to use, so it's important to check their age.

Term

tire replacement

"...and it might be due for a set of tires. So even though they might not be worn out, due to the age of the tires."

Tire replacement means getting new tires for your car when the old ones are worn out or too old to be safe. It's important for keeping your car safe and running well.

Car

Toyota Prius

"...2008 Toyota Prius, the tire pressure light came on. Let me see, it's kind of jumped all over..."

The Toyota Prius is a car that uses both gasoline and electricity to run, making it very efficient on fuel. The 2008 version is known for being environmentally friendly and has some advanced features for its time.

Term

psi

"...They are all at 35 psi, but it's been two days now and the light is still on..."

PSI means pounds per square inch, which is how we measure the air pressure in tires. Keeping the right PSI helps your tires work better and keeps you safe while driving.

Car

Volvo XC70

"Here's a 2016 Volvo XC70 90,000 miles on it."

The Volvo XC70 is a type of SUV that looks like a station wagon but is built to handle rougher roads. It's known for being safe and comfortable for families.

Term

tread

"Does not appear to have any punctures, has good tread. Could it be the seal on the rim?"

Tread is the pattern on the tire that helps it grip the road. If the tread is worn down, the tire won't perform well, especially in rain or snow.

Term

valve stem

"It actually could be the seal, could be the valve stem. You may not see a puncture, but there's still maybe one there."

The valve stem is the part of the tire where you pump air in. If it's broken, your tire can lose air even if there are no visible holes.

Term

tire pressure

"...when the tire is low on pressure, when we're driving it, that sidewall is taking much more load..."

Tire pressure is how much air is inside your car's tires. It's important to keep it at the right level so your car drives safely and the tires last longer.

Part

tire sidewall

"...when the tire is low on pressure, when we're driving it, that sidewall is taking much more load..."

The sidewall is the side part of the tire that helps hold it together. It protects the inside of the tire and keeps it strong.

Car

BMW X5

"Bought a BMW X5 SUV this summer here, she says. It came with high performance summer tires on it."

The BMW X5 is a fancy SUV that combines luxury and performance. It's known for being comfortable and having lots of tech features.

Term

high performance summer tires

"It came with high performance summer tires on it."

High performance summer tires are special tires that help your car handle better in warm weather. They are great for driving fast and making sharp turns.

Term

oil change

"...I need to do the oil change only every 10,000 miles and the tire rotation every 5,000 miles..."

An oil change is when you replace the old oil in your car with new oil. This helps keep the engine running smoothly and can help it last longer.

Term

variable valve timing

"...They use it for variable valve timing, a lot of things, and there's a lot of small passages that need good clean oil."

Variable valve timing is a system in engines that changes when the valves open and close. This helps the engine run better and use fuel more efficiently.

Car

Buick Lucerne

"My son, Texter says, has a 2008 Buick Lucerne, when he turned on the heat for the first time this year, an engine light showed up on the dash..."

The Buick Lucerne is a large car made by Buick, a brand of General Motors. It was made from 2005 to 2011 and is known for being roomy and comfortable.

Term

thermostat

"...an engine light showed up on the dash and indicated that the thermostat was at fault."

A thermostat is a part of the car that helps control the engine's temperature. It opens and closes to let coolant flow, keeping the engine from getting too hot or too cold.

Car

Chevrolet Corvette

"...ad a picture of Dan Burns changing the oil on his Corvette? Yes."

The Chevrolet Corvette is a fast and stylish sports car that many people love to drive. It's famous for being powerful and fun, and lots of car enthusiasts enjoy taking care of them, like changing the oil to keep them running well.

6 cars featured

Request an Explanation

Heard something you'd like explained? We'll add it to this episode.

Sign in to request explanations for terms you heard.

Want to learn more?

Browse our glossary for plain-English explanations of automotive terms, jargon, and concepts.

Explore Terms

Help improve this episode

See something that's not quite right? Our annotations are AI-generated and can sometimes miss the mark. Click the flag icon on any annotation to suggest a correction.

Report incorrect info
Suggest better explanations
Flag missing cars