How to Buy Auto Tires
You can buy tires at specialized tire shops, online, at wholesale and discount outlets like BJs and Wal-Mart, and even at small used tire operations on the street. No matter where you go to buy them, there are a few important steps to take to assure that you get the right tire to match your driving habits.
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Instructions
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Check your old tires to see the exact size that you need. A tire size is made up of four main parts: the type (such as for a passenger car or light truck), the tire width (measured from sidewall to sidewall), the aspect ratio (height to width percentage), construction (direction that the tire layers run) and the wheel diameter (thickness of the tire).
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2
Decide if you want to go with a specific tire brand. Some of the most popular brands of tires include Pirelli, BF Goodrich, Goodyear, Firestone, and Bridgestone. Consider going with a lesser known brand with similar specifications to the brand name tires if you want to save some money.
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Tell your sales representative how much driving you plan to do and if most of that driving will be in bad weather like snow or rain. If you plan to offroad in the car, be sure to mention this as well. Ask about the tread, traction, and handling of each tire that you are considering.
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Select a tire based on your needs and uses. A high performance all season tire is best if you will be driving in all types of weather or on rough roads. A grand touring all season tire combines high performance with a smoother ride. A performance summer tire is for consumers who do not normally drive in snow or rough conditions. The tread is not as deep and there is less traction.
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Find out what type of warranty is being offered on the car tire that you chose. Many tire warranties last from four to six years (or until the tire tread reaches 2/32 inch) and cover you in case the tire has poor workmanship. In some cases, you will also be covered in case a road hazard causes an unexpected blowout.
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Allow the tire center to install your new tires or bring them to your favorite auto mechanic. Many repair centers will only charge you a few dollars per tire.
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Tips & Warnings
Rotate your tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles to maximize the utility of the tire. This is also required by most warranties. Take note of the tire's load index, which is the maximum weight that the tires can comfortably hold, so that you can avoid overloading the vehicle.
