How to Buy New Tires for a Vehicle
A lot of things need to be considered when buying new tires for your vehicle. Every vehicle on the road has a specific tire for shape, size and rating. Price alone is a minor consideration. Because the tires are one of the most important features on your car, skimping on price and quality can lead to serious consequences. Qualified tire wholesalers will be able to select the correct tire for your vehicle, but to make sure you're not being under or oversold, it's a good idea to learn what kind of tire your vehicle calls for.
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Instructions
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Locate the tire specification label on your vehicle. Most often this label is located on the driver's side door jamb. Some models may display the label in the glove compartment, owners manual or gas filler door. The label will dictate the size, load rating, speed rating and the manufacturers suggested air pressure for front and rear tires--which may be different.
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Learn the type of tire you have on your vehicle by the first digit of the tire number indicated on the tire specification label. A "P" would indicate it's a passenger-rated tire for most passenger vehicles. An "LT" would indicate that you have a specific SUV or truck that specifies a certain criteria for load range and air pressure.
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Discover the size of the tire by reading the next eight digits displayed on the tire specifications label. After the "P" or "LT" will be a series of numbers such as 215/85/R15--or a number of variant numbers. This shows the recommended height, width and tread width of the tire. These numbers display the recommended dimensions of the tire for your specific vehicle. Although they can be manipulated to a degree, only qualified tire specialists should compare these numbers to their tire charts. Otherwise, width and height can compromise the effectiveness of the tire as well as the spaced allotted in the tire well. Tires too large or too small can affect the odometer and miles per hour display as well as striking the fender well. The "R" displayed in the number sequence simply indicates "radial-ply" tire. Most tires on the roads today are steel-belted radial-ply tires.
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Read the last two to three digits of the tire number sequence: load and speed rating digits that will most often be displayed in a number and a letter. Sport vehicles will have a higher speed rating then typical vehicles, and some SUVs and trucks may indicate higher load ratings. This means the tires are manufactured for the vehicle to comply with certain speed velocities and or higher payload capacity of the vehicle. Specialty tires may require different air pressure ratings.
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Locate the air pressure rating suggestions from the manufacturer on the tire specifications label. This will inform you what the manufacturer recommends for the air pressure set for the front and rear axle. Because the air pressure is an important aspect of the longevity of the tire, by learning this, you can maintain proper air pressure to check the tires more often and experience the maximum lifespan of the tires.
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Inspect the tread depth of the tires using a tire-depth gauge. This will show you how much tread you have left on the tire. Insert the tip of the depth gauge into the shallowest tread groove by eyeballing the tire. National standards of service indicate a tire at the end of its life when it reaches 2/32 of an inch. Tired used in severe weather should be replaced the tread depth reaches 4/32 of an inch. Take several readings of each tire with the tread depth gauge and use the lowest number on each tire as its tread life.
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Write the information down and read it to a qualified tire wholesaler/installation center By providing this information you can learn what tires are in stock, the type of tread you need for the specific season, and then determine the price and availability of tires in stock or ones that can be ordered. This is when price can be discussed. As a rule of thumb, tire ratings of load and speed can always be upgraded, but should never be downgraded; whether price is the issue or not.
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