Great Tires: How To Buy Them?
The Short Answer
Have money. If you’ve got $1,000 to spend on tires, you’ll get the ones you need for harsh environments. However, not everybody’s got that kind of cash to spend. In this writing we’ll go over a few tips to preserve your budget and vehicle in winter, and throughout the year, as regards your choice of tires.
First: Maximize Financial Value From Existing Tires
You want to get as much use out of your tires as possible before replacing them. One good test is the George Washington exam. Essentially, you stick a quarter in the tread with George Washington’s head toward the tire. If you can see the top of his head, you need new tires. That’s a generality; if you’re in a cold climate with lots of annual snow, you want to replace them sooner.
Keep in mind, depending on who you ask, they may advise using a penny instead of a quarter. It’s a minor distinction given the actual distance involved, but you’d be better to err on the side of caution; you’re only saving a few bucks if you push things to the absolute max.
Second: How Old Are Those Tires?
Generally, there isn’t a specific expiration date for tires. However, after five years, you’re in potentially inconvenient territory. Especially in dry climates, or owing to a lack of use, they can lose air, become cracked, and swiftly quit being safe. After ten years, forget about it, you want new tires. If you’re driving regularly, though, the tire will be worn out prior aging out.
Third: The Sort Of Tires For Where You Are
This is where you choose to acquire winterized or non-winterized tires. If you’re in a climate that gets a winter, you’re wise to winterize. If you’re not, then this isn’t strictly necessary. However, if you drive off-road, then the higher the ply on your tires, the better. However, some vehicles will ride too low for high-ply tires; so know the situation before buying.
Different tire types and size come into play here. Blizzak tires can be very good for winter, with an emphasis on the Blizzak; there are competitive tire brands out there, so ask the seller the latest options if you don’t like associated pricing. Since Blizzak are the big gorilla in the club, competitors must under-cut them in terms of price.
Fourth: Size
You can put the wrong-sized tires on your vehicle if you’re not careful. There should be a plastic sticker inside your door, or advisements in your driver’s manual pertaining to tire size. It will also be printed on the tire itself, but it can be worn off with use or poor parking too close to a curb; so it’s worthwhile to confirm. If you can’t find the sticker, manual, or size on the side of the tire, use a search engine query to search the proper tires for the make and model of your vehicle.
Fifth: Shop Around
You can get good tires from primary sellers that have nationwide branded outlets, but there are also worthwhile local options. Additionally, used tires aren’t always a bad buy. Often a vehicle is totaled but its tires are fine, so they make their way to used tire sellers, and you can pick them up at a fraction of the “new” cost. They won’t last as long, though, generally.
The Tires For You
Get the most from existing tires, figure out their age, choose tires to match your region and weather, get the right size, and shop around. In this way you’ll acquire the safest, most cost-effective, long-lived tires for your vehicle.
Expect to pay from $200 to $1,000 for all four tires, depending on the kind they are and whether they’re used. $500 to $700 is a good average for total replacement. It’s best to get them all replaced at once if you can.
Barring that, do them two at a time; front and back—otherwise they’ll “wear” funky, and might affect how you drive. It’s best not to do one at a time unless you have no choice.
To learn more about this and other key pieces of information pertaining to vehicular maintenance, choosing the right car for your area, and winterization, be sure to explore our blog at Anybody’s Autos!