“Tires are what win races,” said Harry Hogge, played by Robert Duvall in Days of Thunder. Which tires are right for you? Here are some tips for buying new tires.
The race you’re running isn’t on the track and doesn’t involve a NASCAR pit crew. Your race is the daily grind and the wear and tear that comes with it. Your tires go through a lot every day and need to perform for you in a way that makes your ride smoother and more confident.
When it’s time for a new set, you’ll want to use these tips for buying new tires.
1. Do you actually need new tires?
Before you start shopping for new tires, you should make sure you actually need them. Check the tread depth using an upside-down penny. If Lincoln’s head is covered, you might not need new tires. If something seems off about your tires, ask a technician to inspect them for you. Sometimes, your tires wear unevenly, which means your car is likely out of balance. If it is time to get some new tires, you can move on to the next tip.
2. What size and tire type do you need?
Your vehicle performs best when you use the right tires. One of the most important tops for buying new tires is to make sure you have the right size and type for your vehicle. There are many brands and styles, but your car’s manufacturer built it to ride in a specific tire type. The type you need depends on the terrain, use, and driving conditions and the size is determined by your wheels and vehicle model. Once you know this information, its time to move on.
3. There are more factors in buying tires
The right tires will have proper tread depth, load capacity, and speed ratings. For the most part, if you’re replacing the tires on your daily ride, it shouldn’t be too hard to find tires that work right for your vehicle. On the other hand, if your vehicle needs to perform in a specific arena, such as the track or off-road trails, you’ll want to have the right tires. Your tires are the only part of your vehicle that’s meant to touch the ground.
4. The tire codes tell it all
You don’t want to put a set of tires marked LT on your compact car, and it won’t be good to have tires marked P on your heavy-duty pickup. The codes stamped on the sidewalls tell you everything you need to know about the tires. If you need special tires for going through mud and snow, you’ll want models marked M+S. Other information stamped on these sidewalls includes the date of manufacture, maximum inflation pressure, composition, materials, tread wear, traction, and temperature grades.
5. Read some reviews
How will you know if the tires are any good? Check out the reviews. One of the most important tips for buying new tires, or any product, is to learn what other customers have experienced with the same item. Reading reviews gives you insight into what you should expect with a set of tires. Check the star ratings and number of reviews, and read a few of them. You have to determine what the minimum ratings and number of reviews you will accept for a product, including tires.
6. Make sure all four tires match
Some small businesses sell used tires, which means the tires have been retread, repurposed, and recycled. There’s nothing wrong with used tires when you need one tire in a pinch, but you shouldn’t rely on these tires for very long. Instead, purchase all four tires from the same brand at the same time. This ensures your tires wear evenly, handle properly, and give you the best possible performance. Tires are meant to work as a set of four working together.
7. Shop around
Once you determine the tires you want to buy, find the best deal. One of he most important tips for buying new tires is that you can find some great deals if you look for them. Sure, you can go to your local dealership and have the tires purchased and installed at that location, but it might cost a lot more than if you buy the tires from a reputable online dealer and bring the tires to the dealership to have them installed. Shop around for the tires and the installation services.
These are just a few of the tips you might need for buying new tires. Hopefully, these tips will help you get the tires you need to enjoy a confident and smooth ride.
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