Poway calls itself the City in the Country, and anyone who drives there knows why. Within a few miles you go from the traffic lights of Poway Road to horse properties, canyon roads and trailheads. R B Tire & Brake is not in Poway. We are an independent shop just to the north at 11645 Iberia Place in Rancho Bernardo (92128), and Poway drivers can reach us without a long trip across the county. This page looks at the roads, grades and errands that shape how cars in Poway wear.
Routes from Poway
Most of Poway connects north to Rancho Bernardo on one of two roads. Pomerado Road runs north from central Poway into Rancho Bernardo. Espola Road heads north past Lake Poway Road and the Blue Sky Ecological Reserve entrance and continues into Rancho Bernardo as Rancho Bernardo Road. Twin Peaks Road links many Poway neighborhoods to both of them. From the south and west parts of town, some drivers prefer Poway Road west to I-15 and then north.
What Poway driving does to a vehicle
Stop-and-go on Poway Road
Poway Road is the city’s main commercial strip, with a long run of signals, shopping centers and turn lanes between I-15 and the east end of town. A few miles of light-to-light driving is harder on brakes than a much longer freeway trip, because each stop turns speed into heat in the pads and rotors. Errand-heavy driving also keeps automatic transmissions working through constant shifts. If your brakes squeal, grind or pull to one side, start with our brake repair page.
SR-67 and the climb toward Ramona
Poway Road meets State Route 67 at the east edge of town, and SR-67 climbs toward Ramona and the backcountry. On the way up, the engine and cooling system work hard, especially on a hot afternoon with the A/C running. On the way down, the brakes take the load. A hot-brake smell or a pedal that feels softer after the descent is a sign the brakes or brake fluid need attention. Using a lower gear on long downhill stretches helps.
Trucks, trailers and horse country
Poway has a strong equestrian streak and plenty of properties with room for trailers, so pickups and SUVs here often pull horse trailers, utility trailers or campers. Towing adds heat to the transmission fluid, more weight on the brakes and more load on the tires. Most owner’s manuals list towing under the severe service schedule, which shortens fluid change intervals. If you tow, tell us when you book so we can look at the right things. Our transmission service page explains why fluid condition matters so much for towing.
Trailheads, heat and parked cars
Poway is a hiking town. The Iron Mountain trailhead sits near the junction of Poway Road and SR-67, and many hikers start the climb to Mount Woodson and Potato Chip Rock from Lake Poway. A car left in the sun for a long summer hike bakes. Heat is the main reason batteries fail in inland San Diego, and it also strains A/C systems when you climb back in and run the air at full blast. See our battery and A/C service pages.
Rural roads and driveways
Parts of Poway have long private driveways, unpaved roads and steep grades. Dirt, ruts and potholes knock wheels out of alignment and wear suspension parts faster. If the steering wheel sits off-center or the tires are wearing on one edge, read our wheel alignment page.
Booking from Poway
Whether you live near Old Poway Park and Midland Road or up off Espola Road, we are close by. Neighbors to the west can see our page for Rancho Bernardo auto repair.
Poway drivers can book through our contact page or by calling (858) 485-8550. Let us know if the vehicle tows, so we can plan the inspection around it.
Frequently asked questions
Is R B Tire & Brake located in Poway?
No. We are in Rancho Bernardo at 11645 Iberia Place, San Diego, CA 92128, just north of Poway. Pomerado Road and Espola Road both connect Poway to Rancho Bernardo.
Does towing a horse trailer change my maintenance schedule?
Usually, yes. Most owner’s manuals treat towing as severe service, which means more frequent transmission fluid, oil and brake inspections. Towing heats the transmission fluid, and heat is the main thing that breaks it down.
Why do my brakes smell hot after driving down SR-67?
Long downhill stretches turn a lot of speed into heat in the brake pads and rotors. A brief smell after a long descent can happen, but if it is strong, happens often, or the pedal feels soft, have the pads, rotors and brake fluid checked. Using a lower gear on the way down takes some load off the brakes.
What tires should I use if I tow with my truck?
Use tires with the load range and load index your vehicle’s placard calls for, and inflate them to the pressure on that placard, which is on the driver’s door jamb. Underinflated tires run hot under a heavy load.
Can a summer hike hurt my car battery?
A single hike will not, but heat is the biggest reason batteries fail in inland San Diego. Repeated hours parked in direct summer sun speed up the chemical wear inside the battery. Parking in shade when you can and having the battery tested once it is a few years old helps avoid surprises.