Cars need tires and it is best to buy new tires. The key is to get high quality car tires at low prices. The market online and offline is filled with a huge variety of tires. Choose tires with care and get a set of tires that are most suited to your car.
The first step in buying car tires is to follow recommendations made by the car manufacturer. Unless you are an auto mechanic or formula one car racer what the manufacturer recommends as suitable tires for the car are the best choice.
1. Get all the parameters right. From the side of the tires or your car manual jot down : vehicle application; tire width; aspect ratio; radial designation; wheel diameter; load index; speed rating; DOT; ply construction; load and pressure limits; tread wear and traction ratings.
2. Be smart shop around for the best deal locally as well as online.
3. Check aspects like factory warranties and shop guarantees before paying for the tires.
4. Know which features are important and find tires that will give you safety, longevity, and peace of mind.
5. Find out if you are buying online how the tires will be delivered to you, who will mount and balance the tires. Many online sites offer tires for great rates but you will have to pay for shipping as well as for a mechanic to fit the tires. So well before buying check out the instructions on the website and find out exactly how much it will cost to get new tires fixed on the car.
6. While many recommend buying refurbished tires in the long run new tires will stand you in good stead. While you may save money on purchase the wear and tear will be quicker.
7. Most people buy all season tires but in case you live in a snow bound or very wet region you may need special car tires for specific seasons. If in doubt consult an automotive expert.
8. Check whether the tires you are considering buying are for passenger vehicles and radial. Tubeless tires are great for urban roads that are well maintained.
9. Always get the tires fitted by an expert and ensure that balancing is done. Ask about how to prevent new tire wear and tear by rotating the tires/wheels.
10. Always replace tires in pairs. It is best to replace all four but in case of budget constrains then do the needful two at a time. The front wheels first followed by the back wheels. Never replace one in the front and the other at the back.
Read up about tires on the internet. When in doubt ask the manufacturer. If you care for your car and its tires then the car will serve you well.
Timothy Rudon is a writer for Tires , the premier website to find tires, discount tires, motorcycle tires, truck tires, cheap tires, wheels and tires, wholesale tires, tires online, general tires and many more.
Can I actually save enough money buying tires online to make it worth it?
So I need 4 new tires for my car 205 55 15 size. The 2 cheapest places I know of (les schwab, and discount tire) want roughly $80 per tire (for their budget tire), and the total cost after all stems/mounting/balancing comes out to roughly $400. And I’m wondering if there is any way to save money?
I have heard from quite a few places that you can save money on tires online, however after alot of searching, I haven’t had much luck. Sure I might be able to find more tires in about the $80 range, but they want tons for shipping, not to mention I’m left in the dark as far as getting them installed. Sounds like alot more expensive and a bigger hassle so far. Unless there are sites that are partners with actual installers, It seems like I’d probably have to take them to a tire store anyways to get them installed, unless I find a way to do it myself?
Which leads me to my other question. Is it actually worth it to try to install your own tires to save money? I’m guessing that you probably need to purchase some sort of wheel balancing machine/jig, tire irons, weights etc. Assuming you only get tires every couple years, are you able to save enough money to make it worth the cost of the equipment (not to mention worth the trouble of doing it)?
Answer
I considered this the last time I bought tires. Yes, I could save money on the tire purchase by buying online. BUT that would result in the tires being deposited in my driveway. Taking them to a good shop to have new valve stems installed, the tires mounted and balances, would have left me with about a $35 saving on four tires.
But buying from a local dealer, and spending the $35 there, gave me free rebalancing and alignment check twice per year for the life of the tires. Now I just call the local dealer to come pick up my car and rebalance the tires and check the alignment and it costs me nothing.
I think I came out ahead.
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