Suggestions to Consider When Visiting a Tire Shop to Get New Tires for Your Car

If you've owned the same tires for several years, it could be time to have them replaced. Tires should always have enough tread for good traction and handling. If you're concerned about the condition of your tires and wonder if they need to be replaced, visit a tire shop and have them checked. The mechanic will check the depth of the tread as well as wear patterns to determine the condition of your tires. Here are some tips for getting new tires if you need them.

By All Four at Once

For the best performance from your car, it's best to have four new tires put on at the same time. This helps with balancing and aligning of your vehicle since all tires are identical. However, if four tires are too much for your budget, then talk to the tire shop about replacing two at a time as long as you have at least two good ones left on your car. When you just buy two new tires, the new ones go on the back of your car so you get the best traction. Also, don't forget about the spare. Your spare should be in good condition too. You may want to use the best old tire you have for a spare, but if none of your tires are suitable, then buy a fifth new tire so you have a spare you can depend on.

Consider All-Season Tires

You have a choice in the type of tires you buy. A common choice is an all-season tire that you can leave on your car until they wear out. A different option is to buy a set of summer and winter tires. Then, you put the winter tires on before snow starts falling and put the summer tires back on when the snowy weather is over. Talk to a mechanic at the tire shop for advice on choosing the best tires based on the way you drive, how much you drive, and where you drive.

Get the Same Tires as Your Old Tires

If you have no complaints about how your current tires have performed over the years, then the easy way to buy new tires is to have the shop put on the exact model you have now. If for some reason that tire isn't available, the mechanic can find a near-exact match by reading the code on the side of the tires. There's a string of numbers on the side of each tire. These numbers give a mechanic a lot of information such as the height, width, height to width ratio, load capability, maximum speed, type of tire, inflation pressure, material composition, and manufacturing lot. Plus, the tire also has the brand marked, so an exact match can be found if it is still available, and if not, a very close replacement can be chosen.

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