Latest Tire News, Wheel Guides & Car Tips | Performance Plus Tire Blog

Whether or not you’ve prepared to buy new tires for your car, the price of new tires will likely come as a shock. Really, it should be too much of a surprise, because we know tires wear out, just like brakes and engine oil wear out, but they take so long to wear out that we forget about them. Also, because they take so long to wear out, people simply forget to budget for them, perhaps dipping into the maintenance fund for more immediate needs. Still, whether you are prepared or not, you have som [...more]

When it comes time to buy new tires, most of us, especially girls, cringe on the inside.  Not only are tires expensive, but there are so many different types of tires out there for every road condition and vehicle type; it is nearly impossible to choose one. So how do you find the perfect tire that will fit your car and your wallet, as well as keep you safe? Fortunately, you do not always have to sacrifice quality for price.  Goodyear offers a triple-tred performance tire that has received exce [...more]

Toyo Tires are manufactured by a conglomerate of companies all over the world. These companies also distribute and market throughout North and South America, the Middle East, Asia and all over Europe. In the United States the brand is represented by the Toyo Tire United States of America Corporation. They are responsible for selling and marketing the tires for the American car companies and for the American consumers. Toyo Tire Holdings is the parent company, and it is this division that handle [...more]

There's nothing like the feeling of cruising down the open road in your hot rod. The wind in your hair, the sun on your face, and the rumble of the engine underneath you. It's a feeling that can't be beat. But what about the wheels? Hot Rod Hanks wheels are the perfect way to add a touch of class to your hot rod. These superior steel wheels have a sleek, modern look that is sure to turn heads as you drive by. But it's not just about looks. Hot Rod Hanks wheels also offer new school technology fo [...more]

According to an article from Earth911.com, tire maker Yokohama is selling a tire model now that is made of 80 percent materials that are not petroleum. They used orange oil as their primary ingredient to make the vulcanized rubber. The orange oil tire is called the Super E-Spec and it received the Popular Mechanics Editors Choice award in the year 2008.  The tires are going to be marketed for the Toyota Prius. The article states: "The eco-focused dB Super E-spec mixes sustainable orange oil a [...more]

Whether you’re sporting a ‘Vette, cruising in a Cobra convertible, or just hangin’ out in a Honda – you don’t have to be some famous rapper with billions of bucks to have a totally pimped out car, tricked out truck, or sweet SUV. Getting the bling for your vehicle is easier thanks to the many car parts and accessories site available on the Internet. Many of them have discounted pricing you just cannot find at a local shop or garage. Let’s look at some of the e [...more]

Watch Glenn from Performance Plus Tire review the Cragar Wheels 701B.  If you need new wheels for  for your mustang give us a call. 562-988-0211 Cragar wheels are tough. They've been a staple in the custom wheel industry since the 1960s. That's because they're built for real American muscle. From their key milestones in history to their high-quality performance and unique custom appearance, Cragar wheels have earned their place as one of the most popular brands among auto enthusiasts. If you [...more]

When considering car customization, before the ground effects, aerodynamic pieces, and suspension tweaks come into play, custom wheels are the most common and most visual upgrade. Realizing this, Frank Hodges and his team of entrepreneurs established Lexani Wheels in 1996, whose custom wheels and grilles quickly became sought after for vehicles of all kinds, from Honda to Lexus to Range Rover to Rolls-Royce. Quickly, however, Hodges realized the best strategy was to design a wheel and tir [...more]

Lowriders have been a thing almost as long as there have been cars. That slammed Chrysler 300C on 22” Forte wheels got its start decades ago in the counter-culture youth scene of southern California. This is a quick look at where lowriders have scraped their way through history. Today, the lowrider culture is wide open. Shows are accepting of old school Impalas and brand new slammed diesel pickups. The interior could be ‘70s retro shag carpet, nerdy plaid, or cutting edge carbon fiber and touch [...more]

There’s something about really appealing about vintage goods- they just never lose that enduring quality over time. One piece of vintage history that still retain that timeless appeal are American Classic Whitewall tires. Whitewall tires were once the standard for car tires in the early to mid 1900’s. In fact, the first automobile tires were actually completely a milky white color- the color of natural and unaltered processed rubber. The only problem with all the early all white natural tires we [...more]

American Racing Wheels has been designing and manufacturing steel and alloy wheels for the custom automotive industry since 1956, one of the first in aftermarket automotive customization. At first, American Racing Wheels centered production in Northern California, but eventually moved manufacturing to Southern California. By 1971, Hank Feldman’s Performance Plus Tire & Auto, based in Long Beach, would provide American Racing Wheels to Southern California and, eventually online to the res [...more]

Genius, determination, and passion are just a few words that could be used to describe the man behind the name, Mickey Thompson Tires. Born in 1928 California, Marion Lee "Mickey" Thompson found his calling on the streets and strips as early as the 1940s. A “hot-rodder” by nature, a determined man, and veritable genius, Mickey Thompson was making and breaking endurance and speed records by the 1950s. The 1950s saw Thompson drag racing, innovating the “slingshot” dragster, in which the driver s [...more]

Good quality off-road tires need to be strong enough to put up with the toughest of wear and tear. They should have solid traction, sturdy control and be long-lasting. With that said, it's difficult to find a tire maker who doesn't claim to incorporate these important tire qualities with all of their models. So, for those of us on the hunt for the perfect outdoor tire and don't know the exact specifications to look for, here are a few details you should be examining when purchasing a new set of [...more]

The best way to ensure that your chrome rims will last for a long time, and not incur any damages is by regular and proper maintenance of them.  One of the problems with chrome wheels, can that be a costly issue to deal with, is that once a chip happens in the rim--a chip that goes through the chrome plate and down to the metal, the only way to repair it is to remove the wheel entirely, sand it down and get it re-dipped in chrome. This can be a bit costly, but is necessary when one wants that p [...more]

Quality on-and-off road tires are the object of every driver’s affection.  Unfortunately, a tire that's capable of taking on dual terrain is not easy to find. Ironman tires are the perfect choice for anyone looking for a reliable all-terrain tire. They offer a variety of sizes and styles to choose from, so you can find the perfect fit for your vehicle. Ironman tires are also known for their quality and durability. You can trust that they will last for many miles, without breaking the bank. Ironm [...more]

Muscle cars didn’t change American culture as much as they became a part of it. Maybe muscle cars are such an integral part of American culture because they represent the truest of American ideals – freedom. Controlling the raw power and speed of a muscle car creates a sense of freedom like no other. Behind the wheel of a muscle car the entire world becomes one big race track; there are no checkered flags, or pace cars, but just open roads as far the eye can see. You can go anywhere you want and [...more]

Unless you ride in a desert, even when the forecast is dry, you can never really be sure it won’t rain. For many riders, riding in the rain is exactly the opposite of what riding is all about – it’s cold, wet, uncomfortable, stressful, and hard to see. Still, rain can happen almost any time, so it’s best to be prepared for it. When prepping your motorcycle for riding in the rain, your tactics and gear are just as important as your motorcycle tires. Rubber and Road Just a few square inches keep y [...more]

The Internet really is the ultimate one-stop shop. There you can find everything you need; from clothes to toys to books and even groceries. While many of the traditional brick and mortar stores have complained about online retailers driving prices down and them out of business, it has been a great asset for consumers. Even for some less traditional items, like tires. There are some local tire dealers that offer good discounts and packages; however, many can't compete with the low prices you can [...more]

Why is it that all of the great things about cars involve the letters GT ? There’s Grand Turismo, the Nissan GT-R, the Pontiac GTO, and General Tires. A general is one of the highest ranks obtainable in the military institution around the world, and coincidentally General Tires are some one of the highest quality of tires available today. But who makes General Tires? As the name might suggest, General Tires are made by the General Tire Company. The end. Alright, the real truth is that the [...more]

Car restoration can be a rewarding hobby, and sometimes even a lucrative job. Unfortunately, it can also be a massive headache and a financial loss for those that rush into it. Here are the first steps you should take when thinking about restoring a classic car. The first step is fairly obvious: what car are you going to restore? If you already own the vehicle, great, problem solved. If not, you should probably find something you like, that way it is a hobby instead of just more work. Keep in m [...more]

Many longtime owners of low-grade alloy wheels notice on occasion that the chrome plating on their wheels has started to scratch and flake or simply look less than pristine. Luckily the chrome plating on alloy wheels can be removed fairly effortlessly. You should only try to remove the chrome plating on your alloy wheels if it is already peeling or flaking and you’re not concerned with permanently altering the look of your wheels. To get started you'll need: Alloy wheels, of course A car j [...more]