10 Expert Tips For Buying New Car Tires

The first step to getting new car tires is to ascertain that you need them. This isn’t always as simple as it sounds. On the one hand, ascertaining whether or not a tire needs replacement can be quite technical. A simple visual inspection might not reveal the tire’s true condition, and car owners might need a more detailed study — or professional help — to determine the tire’s current state. On the other, car tires can be quite costly. Depending on the tire size, vehicle type, and driver budget, tire buyers could find themselves spending between $400 and $1500 on a new set of tires (via MechanicBase)

That said, the average car owner can usually discover the condition of their tires by simply examining them. The most telling characteristics of a worn-out tire are loss of color (or fading), bulging and bubbles, cracks on the tire’s sidewalls, and shallow or uneven treads. In addition, drivers can check for unfamiliar vibrations or noises emanating from the tires.

With respect to treads, the tire might have tread wear indicators, which are little protrusions in the tire’s treads. If the indicators are at the same level as the treads, then the tire is worn out and needs replacement. Car owners with tires that lack an indicator can perform the classic coin test, which involves placing a U. S. penny into the tread with Abraham Lincoln’s head going in first. If the top of Lincoln’s head remains visible, then the treads have become shallow and unsafe for sustained use.

The first step to getting new car tires is to ascertain that you need them. This isn’t always as simple as it sounds. On the one hand, ascertaining whether or not a tire needs replacement can be quite technical. A simple visual inspection might not reveal the tire’s true condition, and car owners might need a more detailed study — or professional help — to determine the tire’s current state. On the other, car tires can be quite costly. Depending on the tire size, vehicle type, and driver budget, tire buyers could find themselves spending between $400 and $1500 on a new set of tires (via MechanicBase)

That said, the average car owner can usually discover the condition of their tires by simply examining them. The most telling characteristics of a worn-out tire are loss of color (or fading), bulging and bubbles, cracks on the tire’s sidewalls, and shallow or uneven treads. In addition, drivers can check for unfamiliar vibrations or noises emanating from the tires.

With respect to treads, the tire might have tread wear indicators, which are little protrusions in the tire’s treads. If the indicators are at the same level as the treads, then the tire is worn out and needs replacement. Car owners with tires that lack an indicator can perform the classic coin test, which involves placing a U. S. penny into the tread with Abraham Lincoln’s head going in first. If the top of Lincoln’s head remains visible, then the treads have become shallow and unsafe for sustained use.