Most people might agree that they don’t enjoy the process of buying new tires.
They are one of the most expensive auto maintenance items. Picking the appropriate ones for your vehicle may be difficult, and getting them fitted can take up a significant portion of your day.
However, you must do it because driving on worn tires with minimal tread is dangerous and can leave you stuck on the side of the road. You should budget at least a few hundred dollars for a set of tires and their installation on your vehicle.
If you’re in the market for new tires, use this guide to learn how to select tires that will fit your vehicle, complement your driving style while staying on budget.
Check to See Whether You Require New Tires
You should determine whether you need to change your tires before doing so. It might not be your tires if your car is dragging to one side, skidding around, or not stopping correctly when you brake. Or, it could be a simple fix that’s in order, like filling underinflated tires.
In general, you should always inspect your tires for uneven wear, punctures, and worn tread by checking tire pressures and physically examining them. Plus, regular car maintenance in general, is a must.
A Tip to Test Your Tire’s Tread
Insert the head side of a small coin into the most worn section of your tire. It’s time to get new tires if you can see the top of the head. Some tire experts recommend using larger coins to perform the test.
Getting new tires before they are unsafe and worn is a smart option. You can save money if you take the time to shop around for the right tires instead of purchasing whatever the retailer has in stock. You might find yourself in such a situation due to a heavy puncture, stuck in the middle of nowhere. And you won’t be able to be so picky then about the pricing or the tire type.
Are They Just Too Old?
Tires should be deemed safe for a limited period. Every tire has a number on the sidewall that indicates when it was manufactured.
Tires do not have an expiration date, but they should be tested after five years. After a decade or so, the tire’s compounds deteriorate to the point that you should replace the tire.
Your tires will wear out well before they become too old in most circumstances, but if you don’t drive the car often, check the date on the side of the tires to determine if they are still good.
Choose the Correct Tire Type
There is much more to choosing the right tires than just finding a pair that fits and slapping them on your vehicle.
You should consider the minimal requirements of your vehicle and how you drive. As well, think about your tire life expectations, the weather where you conduct most of your driving, and the surfaces you travel on.
Your tires do more than support your vehicle’s weight.
They should provide traction when you need to get going. They should also allow the car to maneuver well and provide optimum grip when braking. Plus, they must accomplish this in dry and wet situations without causing excessive noise or compromising your fuel economy.
Manufacturers tend to equip passenger cars with all-season tires. Summer tires are fitted to some performance models, which have poor traction in wet weather and poorer performance in winter. Keep in consideration the typical weather conditions where you drive to avoid selecting tires that put your safety at risk.
The minimum tire specifications for your vehicle, as well as the air pressures that the tires should have, are spelled out on the sign on the driver’s door pillar and in your owner’s handbook. Other requirements are more subjective, and you must determine which characteristics are the most significant.
Question Your Current Tires
What did my existing tires do well, and how could they be better?
This is an excellent question to ask. If your existing tires, for example, are excessively noisy, then you can work with your tire dealer to select tires that roll more quietly.
You should recall how the tires looked when they were first installed. Your existing ones aren’t an appropriate baseline to use when considering replacements because they’re worn out.
You could search for more aggressive, high-performance rubber if they didn’t corner well. Was traction a problem in the winter? Perhaps you require more capable all-season tires or a set of winter tires solely for usage in the winter. If your current tires were in perfect condition, the purchasing process would be simple.
You can figure out the properties of your existing tires by deciphering the numbers on the sidewall. You’ll want to be sure your replacement tire meets or exceeds the load-carrying and speed standards of your vehicle.
Choose the Correct Tire Size
To determine the appropriate size and dimensions for your vehicle, consult the manual or the plaque to the rear of the driver’s side. Don’t glance at the sidewall of your current tires: they might not be the same size as the ones that came on your automobile or truck originally.
When you put the right size tire on your automobile, the speedometer will be accurate. Also, the transmission and other driveline components will be loaded appropriately, and the tires will not rub on the suspension or body pieces.
Adding wheels without the same diameters as your factory wheels are one of the rare instances you can deviate from the car manufacturer’s specifications. Even so, make sure the total diameter of the tire/wheel package is as similar to the original as feasible and that the new tire width doesn’t rub when you compress the suspension or tightly turn the car.
Check Out the Treadwear Warranty
Manufacturers will provide a treadwear warranty with the majority of mainstream tires. While that figure may give some insight into the tire’s predicted life compared to others from the same manufacturer, it is frequently a number devised by the company’s marketing department.
A treadwear warranty isn’t likely to pay out a lot of money. Most tire warranties are prorated, so you’ll only get a fraction of what the tire cost. In most cases, you’ll have to put any money you earn back toward the purchase of a new tire. Why would you want to rebuy the exact tire if it didn’t last the first time?
And keep in mind, a road hazard warranty is not the same as a treadwear warranty.
Where to Buy Your Tires?
There are numerous places to purchase car tires, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Finding a shop you can trust that will provide you with a decent deal without cutting corners is the most critical consideration.
You may have to give up specific brands or types to buy replacement tires quickly and cheaply. You’ll have to wait a while and spend more if you want something special.
Before you accept any tire offer, read online evaluations, particularly from owners of the same vehicle for which you are purchasing tires. While it’s simple to obtain cheap tires for a low price, they may wear out fast, offer a poor ride, or have other flaws that explain their low cost.
Online Stores
You can save a lot of money by purchasing tires online, and you can get the specific tires you need. This is especially true if you need unusual tire sizes or varieties, which are unlikely to be available at the other tire sellers we will mention next.
Just ensure they are a reputable company from who you’re ordering from. Plus, expect to wait a little longer than if you were going to buy your tires in a physical store. Although, there days delivery times are much faster than they used to be.
Ultimately, the wheel and tyre packages you can come across online can offer astonishing value for the money. Plus, comparing tire costs is much easier online.
Car Dealers
Many vehicle retailers now market tires to buyers who place convenience at the top of their wish lists. Buying tires from a dealer can save you a lot of time because you can have them put on simultaneously as an oil change or other repair.
At a dealer, you’ll most likely be limited to original equipment tires. These are the ones that arrived on your new car or something comparable. They might not be the ideal spot to acquire new tires if you’re trying to switch models.
The cost of tires at a dealership tends to be higher than online bought tires. But, the convenience of the process may be worth it.
Physical Local Tire Shops
Your local tire shop, whether it’s family-owned, an outlet, a national retailer, or a tire manufacturer, can provide you with customized service and a wide selection of tires. While you’ll pay more than you would online, the customer service may be worth it.
Local tire stores are also a fantastic option if you’re looking for uncommon tires, have a unique application, or require a lot of assistance choosing the right tire. To make the process as simple as possible, they will often schedule appointments.
If you acquire tires online, you might need to find a local professional to help you with the installation.
Install Your Tires
Replacing old tires is a simple process; you’ll only need to set aside some time to complete it. You might be able to get them to put in less than an hour if you have an appointment. If the shop is busy, you may have to keep your car there for the entire day.
Examine each of your wheels and new tires before leaving the shop. Wheels can be damaged during the installation procedure, and any damage should be reported.
If your new tires have a directional tread pattern, double-check that they’re all pointing in the same direction. Everyone makes mistakes now and then, and it’s best if you catch them before driving away.
The air pressure in fresh tires is detected after a few kilometers by tire-pressure monitoring systems. Return to the shop to have the air pressures changed or to figure out what’s wrong if your pressures don’t match the right numbers or if a tire is off.
Wheel Alignment
Misalignment of the wheels is a common cause of uneven tire wear. Acquire a four-wheel alignment around the same time as you get your new tires to protect your investment. The equipment to execute the service is available at some tire shops and most vehicle dealership service departments.
Checking your shocks or struts for excessive wear or damage is also a smart idea. Their failure might result in quicker uneven tire wear.
Tire Maintenance
You want to take good care of your new tires now that you have them. That means keeping an eye on your tire pressures and inspecting them for uneven wear, sidewall damage, and punctures that could turn into leaks and leave you stranded.
If your vehicle pulls to one side or the other, it could indicate misaligned wheels, which you should have checked before your tread wears in an uneven manner.
Buying New Tires the Right Way
By now, after reading through all the advice and tips, you should be clued up and ready when it comes to buying new tires. The process is simple, as long as you know where to go and how to start.
If you found this article useful, then please consider checking out our other auto-related articles!
