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Buying a new set of tires can seem overwhelming. With various sizes, tire types, and brands, it’s easy to feel confused about what kind of tire you need. Tires are one of the priciest maintenance items your car will need during its lifetime, but they are crucial for safety and performance. These tips will help you find a set of tires that fits your vehicle, driving style, and budget, ensuring you drive safely and efficiently.
Tips for buying new tires
- Assess your current set of tires. Use the “Lincoln test” to check tread depth. If you can see the top of Abe’s head when you place a penny upside down into the tread, your tires need replacing immediately. If the tread falls somewhere on his forehead, plan to buy new tires within a few months. Additionally, check for uneven wear, flaking, cracks, bulges, or other damage. If your tires are over six years old, manufacturers recommend replacing them regardless of their condition.
- Get to know tire types. The type of tire you need will depend on the weather conditions you drive in and how you use your vehicle. Understanding tire ratings such as speed ratings, load ratings, traction grades, and temperature grades is important to make an informed decision.
- All-season tires: Designed to work reasonably well in most weather conditions, handling some mud, snow, and slush.
- Winter tires: Ideal for climates with frequent snow and ice, providing better performance in deep snow.
- Summer tires: Best for warm weather climates; should not be driven in freezing temperatures.
- All-terrain tires: Suitable for four-wheel drive vehicles and off-roading but not for extended highway driving.
- High-performance tires: Designed for high-speed handling, these wear out quicker and are better suited for sports cars rather than daily driving.
- Check out tire warranties. Found on the tire’s sidewall, higher tread numbers indicate longer-lasting tires. Some tires come with tread life warranties, offering credits toward new tires if they wear out before reaching the mileage or kilometer number. In addition to tread-life warranties, retailers and manufacturers may offer different types of warranties such as road hazard warranties, workmanship and materials warranties, manufacturer special warranties, and uniformity warranties. It's important to assess your needs and choose a warranty that makes sense for you.
- Shop around. Consider cost, convenience, and customer service when choosing where to buy your tires. Warehouse clubs, online sellers, tire dealers, car dealerships, and local shops all sell tires and have their pros and cons. If you’re looking for something specialized and unique, a local tire shop might be your best option, though you’ll probably pay a little more. Warehouse clubs and online sellers may offer more competitive prices, but their selections might be limited. Car dealerships provide convenience, but they aren’t the cheapest option, and you’ll likely have no choice but to buy original equipment tires. In the end, where you purchase your tires will depend on the kind of tires you want and your personal preferences.
- Only purchase tires from a reputable seller. Visit BBB.org for BBB Accredited Businesses, see business ratings, and read customer reviews. Make sure you only do business with a tire vendor with a good reputation and plenty of positive reviews. A little research goes a long way in finding out if a company is trustworthy or if they employ questionable business practices. Speak with someone on the phone or in person and ask plenty of questions about tire selections, installation, and warranties. Note the level of customer service you receive during this initial interaction to determine how you’ll be treated during tire installation and after the sale.
- Keep an eye on the fees. You’ll probably have to pay some extra fees on top of the cost of the tires. You’ll likely see installation charges, disposal fees for your old tires, and taxes on your final bill. Some vendors may ask you to pay for new tire stems and resetting the Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Still, others might offer add-on services like filling the tires with nitrogen and road hazard warranties. Review all the fees and add-ons carefully before you agree to buy.
- Inspect new tires upon installation. Take a good look at your new tires before you leave the shop. Look for any signs of damage and make sure the directional tread is facing the same way on all four tires. After you’ve driven a few miles on the new tires, check the tire pressure for each tire to make sure it matches the numbers indicated in the car’s door jamb. If tires are not within the suggested range, take the vehicle back to the shop for inspection.
- Maintain your new tires to extend their life. Regularly check your tire pressure, inspect the tires for signs of uneven wear and damage, and get regular tire rotations. Perform additional checks before long trips and seasonal changes. These are all easy ways to keep your tires in good shape and make them last for as long as possible.
By following these tips, you can make an informed decision when buying new tires, ensuring your vehicle’s safety, performance, and value for your investment. Regular maintenance will keep your tires in good condition, providing you with peace of mind on the road.
For more information
Visit the BBB Auto Resource Center for more advice on buying, selling, repairing, and maintaining your vehicle. See these BBB tips for choosing a car mechanic, buying a new car, and buying a used car.
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