Tires are a big investment. When shopping for tires, you basically want two things – 1) the best tires for 2) the lowest price. But is it really that simple? It can be, if you look at it in a slightly different way – you want the right tires and the best value. Read on for some quick tire buying tips to help you find the right tires for your vehicle and get the best value for your investment.
Choose the Right Tires
Start your selection process with a basic understanding of tires. Here are some points to consider:
- Manufacturer Recommendations – Follow your vehicle’s specific manufacturer recommendations for tires that deliver the best performance and safety for your car.
- Ride Quality – Not all tires will provide a smooth ride or solid handling – keep in mind that the best looking tires may not perform the best.
- UTQG Rating -Manufacturers are required to grade tires under the UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grading) system and provide ratings for tread wear, traction, and temperature resistance.
- Tread Design – Tread choice should depend on the type of driving you do. For example, some treads are noisier than others, and may not be a great choice if you do a lot of highway driving.
- Regional Climate – The kinds of weather you get in your area should be a consideration – choose the safest selection to handle the road conditions you will encounter.
- Buy a Full Set – Replace all of your tires at the same time for optimal performance and even tread wear.
Get the Best Tire Value
When shopping for tires online, you may find a lot of “too-good-to-be-true” price options. But what are you not getting for that price? A reputable, trust-worthy tire retailer in your area will not only assist you in the tire buying process, but also provide after sale service and support. They are not just looking for a quick sale, they want to strengthen their reputation in the area and establish ongoing customer relationships. An experienced tire dealer can recommend the type of tire that will best fit your vehicle, driving style, and desired price point. A good tire dealer will ask you questions about the type of driving you do and guide you in understanding factors such as tread wear, ride and handling, and driving conditions.
Once you’ve made your tire investment, be sure to have related tire checks such as alignment and balance. Don’t allow a vehicle maintenance problem that caused your old set of tires to wear out too soon also ruin your new tires.