Smart Woman - Tire Tips for Women

Do you know when it's time to change your tires or what air pressure is best for them? If not, you could be putting yourself at the mercy of shady mechanics looking to take advantage of you.

Treds Tire and Wheel in San Antonio, Texas sits right across the street from "Pep Boys." And if it wasn't for the fingernail polish and polka dot tools you'd never know this is not your typical tire shop.

Margaret Rodriguez's girl Andrea came up with the idea, and while most people have positive reactions, they've actually had one man leave. But Andrea Rodriguez says women feel comfortable coming here. She said, "They'd rather not have, you know, a man saying 'oh you need your tire balanced' because they're not sure if they can trust them." If you want to know if you really need new tires, "Honest Abe" can help test your treads. "You get your penny, you flip him upside down and you stick him between the tread. If the top of his head is showing then you have to replace your tire," said Rodriguez. 

The right tire pressure can make your tires last longer, save fuel, and prevent accidents. But Andrea says what's recommended on the sidewall might not be ideal for your car. And Rodriguez said, "If you have any questions about the tire pressure for the spare, the rear, or the front, the answer is right here." Make sure to question potential problems you can't see. Like if you're told your tire has a leak, ask to see the leak then ask to see the repair.

And Rodriguez added, "I've had this lady who's actually come in and said that she had a patch done to her tire. I took the tire off and there was no patch in that tire at all."