Tire trouble?

Got car questions? Here are quick, practical answers to common issues drivers are facing right now—from wheel vibrations and squeaks to bright headlights and license plate mounting.

Steering wheel vibration that changes with speed

If a vibration shows up around 55 mph, disappears by 65 mph, and stops after rotating the suspect front tires to the rear, you’re likely dealing with a defective tire (often a belt separation or an internal radial runout issue). This can get worse and become unsafe. Have the tire inspected and replaced. A road-force balance can confirm the bad tire, but if there’s visible cupping, bulges, or uneven wear, don’t delay replacement. Check alignment after installing the new tire.

Squeaky front end after sway bar link replacement

Greasing sway bar links usually isn’t a lasting fix, and petroleum-based lubricants can damage rubber components. Silicone spray is gentler but typically only quiets the noise briefly. Sway bar links and bushings often squeak as they age, especially with budget parts or harsh climates. The noise is annoying but not usually a critical safety concern. Inspection should also include the sway bar bushings, strut mounts, and control arm bushings. If the sound persists and bothers you, replace the links (consider higher-quality parts) and torque them at ride height.

Those bright red parts in the wheel well

You’re likely seeing brake calipers. Many high-performance brake systems come in red (it’s a signature color for premium brands), and some owners paint standard calipers red for the look. It doesn’t necessarily indicate better brakes unless the vehicle is equipped with an upgraded performance package. If painting calipers, use high-temp coatings applied properly to avoid flaking or contamination of brake components.

LED headlights that seem to blind oncoming drivers

Modern LED headlights can produce intense, sharp beams that feel glaring to others—even when you’re on low beam. Common fixes:

• Check headlight aim. Even slight misalignment can cause glare. Ask a shop to verify and adjust.
• Remove heavy cargo or adjust headlight leveling (if equipped) so the nose isn’t tilted up.
• Ensure auto high beams aren’t inadvertently engaged and that daytime running lights aren’t mistaken for high beams.
• Keep lenses clean and free of film.

Properly aimed LEDs should give you great visibility without blinding others.

Front license plate screwed directly into the bumper

Mounting the front plate by driving self-tapping screws into the plastic bumper cover is common practice and typically holds well. That said, a cleaner, service-friendly approach uses rivnuts/well nuts or push-in threaded inserts with stainless hardware. If the holes are already there, you can still retrofit inserts to improve retention and corrosion resistance.

Fuel injector cleaning recommended at 20,000 miles

Injector cleaning at such low mileage isn’t usually necessary unless you have symptoms like rough idle, hesitation, a noticeable drop in fuel economy, or diagnostic trouble codes indicating misfires or efficiency issues. If your engine runs smoothly and mileage is normal, you can skip it for now. To help keep injectors clean, use quality fuel and occasionally run a top-tier or detergent-rich tank. Follow the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual rather than aggressive upsells.

TPMS valve stems leaking after a few years

Many factory tire pressure monitoring sensors use metal valve stems that can corrode or leak over time. You don’t have to give up TPMS to avoid metal stems—aftermarket sensors with rubber valve stems are available and can be more durable in harsh climates. If you choose to switch to plain rubber stems without sensors, expect a TPMS warning light and, in some regions, potential inspection or legal issues. The best compromise is to replace aging sensors with new units that have rubber stems.

Bottom line

• Vibration that moves with tire rotation usually means a bad tire—replace it.
• Sway bar link squeaks are common; avoid petroleum grease, consider better-quality parts, and check related bushings.
• Red calipers are often performance brakes—or just paint.
• LED glare is often an aiming issue; a quick alignment check helps.
• Plate screws into plastic are common; inserts are a nicer upgrade.
• Injector cleaning is symptom-driven, not mileage-driven at 20k.
• Keep TPMS with rubber-stem sensors to avoid premature leaks.