Car ownership comes with lots of responsibilities, from insurance and tax to servicing and repairs. Every car owner will need to replace their vehicle’s tires at one point or another, this can be because of a puncture or typical wear and tear.
Either you can buy your new tires locally or you can often save money on tires online. There are lots of factors to consider when selecting them. In this post, we look at how important tires are and why it’s important to check the tires you’re buying.
How do I know when it is time to get new tires?
Tread wear
One very important feature you need to regularly check on your tires is tread depth. The depth of your tire tread wears down over time and you will need to check that it is above the legal minimum. Poor tread depth is a safety concern as your tires have less grip on the road.
Sidewalls of the tire
Check the sidewalls of your tires regularly too. If there is a bulge or a blister on either or both sides of the tire this is a sign of danger. In this instance, you should get your tire replaced as soon as possible.
Foreign objects
Are there any foreign objects embedded into your tire? Look out for nails, screws or pieces of metal embedded into the rubber. Sometimes these can be removed and the puncture replaced, or you might need to replace the tire with a new one.
Pressure
If the pressure of your tire keeps decreasing beyond the recommended value, this could be an indication of a low puncture. In this instance, it might be time to invest in a new tire.
Before buying, here are some things you will need to consider:
There are a few things you should think about before you head to the store or log online to find your new tires. Being prepared ahead of time will help to ensure that you are getting the right tires and prevent buyer’s remorse.
Firstly, find out what type of tires you will need. You can look to see what tires your car came with, check with the manufacturer or check the paperwork that came with your car. The type you need depends on lots of factors including type of vehicle, the type of driving you are doing and even the season.
How many miles do you want your tires to last for? The more mileage the new tires are capable of doing the longer they will last. Of course, those with higher mileage potential will cost more.
Budget is an important consideration too. You do not want to spend more than you can afford on your new tires, however buying cheap options could be less safe and cost you more in the long run. Cheaper tires are more likely to need to be replaced frequently.
How to select new tires:
You need to make sure you are choosing the right tire size as there are lots of different variations. The professional installing your new tires should be able to help you get the right size. It will also be in your vehicle’s handbook.
You should also look at the new tire’s speed rating. At a minimum, the speed rating need to be at least the same value as the original tires your car came with. You can opt for tires with a higher speed rating if desired.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) might also be something you need to consider for some types of tires. This grading takes into account treadwear, traction and temperature. Temperature represents the tire’s ability to resist and dissipate heat.
If you are in any doubt when choosing your next set of tires, consult an expert. You should also ensure that whoever installs them is qualified to do so.
