How to Buy Car Tires

From LoveToKnow Buy

Has the time come when you need to know how to buy car tires? There's good reason to experience trepidation about buying new tires because most people don't know what to look for when buying them, nor do they know which ones will suit their driving needs best. Tires are the single most important safety feature of any car, and being a knowledgeable consumer will help you purchase tires that suit your car, driving habits, and budget.

When to Buy Car Tires

The penny test allows you to check your tire's treads.

The first step to properly buying tires is knowing when your tires need to be replaced. The “penny test” is the most common method: Insert a penny into the tire’s tread, and the top of Lincoln’s head should disappear. If it does not, the tread is low and the tires need to be replaced. When using the penny test, check each tire in the center of the tread as well as on both the interior and exterior edges to check for uneven wear.

Another indication that it is time to buy tires is to note any uneven wear, particularly on the sides of the tire where the interior belts may poke through in extreme cases. If tires are uneven, the car may pull to the side or there may be excessive vibrations or other handling difficulties. Most new tires come with wear indicator bumps – small threads of rubber along the tread. When these bumps have worn off, it is time to consider purchasing new tires.

It is best to purchase new car tires in the fall, before the wet, slippery winter weather sets in. As tires wear, the surface area of the tread increases, which gives tires better traction in dry conditions but makes them more hazardous in wet or icy weather. Newer tires will provide better traction and control during the winter.

Types of Tires

When understanding how to buy car tires, it is important to know what types of tires should replace the worn ones. Always choose tires that meet or exceed the load capacity and safety ratings of your original tires, and be sure to choose tires that are a suitable fit for the size of the wheel and type of vehicle. There are more than a dozen basic types of tires to choose from, and it is vital to select a style that matches your driving needs. The most popular types of tires are:

All-season or all-weather tires. These are some of the most affordable tires and are engineered to perform well in all types of weather to a moderate degree, though extreme weather conditions (regular flooding, frequent snowstorms, etc.) may require specialized tires.
Performance or touring tires. These tires are engineered not only for exemplary performance, but also for aesthetic appeal and style. They are often chosen for sports cars or luxury vehicles.
Heavy duty or heavy load tires. These are typically more durable than regular tires and are meant for vehicles undergoing considerable stress, such as rough roads, heavy hauling, or changing terrain.

Purchasing Car Tires

Before you make any purchases, try to find a mechanic, car dealer, or car enthusiast who can give you solid, trusted advice on proper tires. If you don't know any mechanics, ask your friends or co-workers if they know any who give dependable, honest advice. Be prepared to shop around for the best price and tire quality, and remember that while buying new car tires may be expensive, it is an investment in safety and dependability.

Tires must perform well in poor weather.

Think about the terrain you cover frequently as well as the weather in your area. For instance, if you live in the Pacific Northwest, you'll want tires that have good traction in rainy conditions. If you live in Chicago, you're going to want tires that have good traction in the snow. For most cars, all season or all weather tires are a great choice.
Try to replace tires with the same ones that came with your car. You will find design, size, and brand information printed on your current tires, including the height, width, diameter, speed rating, load rating, and other crucial measurements.
Research where to buy your new tires. Check out the automotive section of your local newspaper and see if any auto shops are offering good sales or deals on the tires you want to purchase. Also look online for good tire deals.
Always have tires professionally installed. Auto shops have machines specifically designed to place your new tires over the car's wheels without inadvertently causing damage. This is also the perfect time to have the tires balanced and aligned if necessary. Be sure that if you are buying tires from someplace other than your dealer that you are not voiding warranties or other protection programs covering your car.
Be sure you know how to change the tires, and don’t forget to inspect and replace your spare tire at regular intervals.
Care for tires by regularly checking the inflation to optimize performance and gas mileage, as well as scheduling regular balances and rotations. Properly cared for tires have a significantly longer lifespan and promote fuel efficiency that results in hefty savings for savvy drivers.

Caution

Avoid buying mismatched tires. If you buy mismatched tires you'll have to replace them individually at different times, which means more trips to the auto shop. Also, you may get an uneven ride, excessive wear on different tires, and other handling difficulties. To avoid mismatched tires, replace tires in pairs and put new tires on the rear tires first to provide the best possible traction with the brakes and to avoid fishtailing and other out-of-control situations.

Where and How to Buy Tires Online

These are a few of the terrific online resources for buying car tires:

Tire Trends offers all kinds of wheels for all kinds of cars.
Discount Tire will set you up with new tires by year, make, size, brand or style.
1010tires is "the absolute tire and wheel authority" and provides forums, ratings, and reviews on all major tires, plus a glossary of tire terms.
Kal Tire is a Canadian tire retailer with extensive information about buying and caring for tires, as well as an online tire finder and other helpful hints.