Does the thought of buying new tires send you into a panic? Are you unsure of what brand or type of tire to buy for your vehicle? Don’t worry. After reading this blog post, you’ll know everything you ever wanted to know about buying new tires.
Before deciding on the brand and type of tire to buy, it’s helpful to know how to tell if new tires are needed. It’s a good idea to get into the habit of checking your vehicle tires once a month. That way you’ll be able to see if the tires have enough tread, are wearing unevenly, or there are any bulges or cracks in the tire walls. There’s a very simple way to check the tread depth on the tires. All you need is a penny. Just place the penny into a tire tread groove, making sure Abraham Lincoln’s head is facing downwards and toward you. If you are able to see his head, you need to buy new tires. If you notice uneven wear, you may want to have an alignment done.
What are the right tires to buy for your vehicle?
The answer to that question depends on your needs and your tire budget. Do you like the way your current tires perform? You should buy the same tire brand and model. If you weren’t so happy with the way they felt on the road or budget is a consideration, you should think about the following:
- The Load Index: This is the amount of weight a set of tires can support at their maximum air pressure. As you can imagine, a passenger car will have a lower load index than an SUV or light-duty pickup. The important thing to note is that the new tires should not have a lower load index than those that were factory-installed.
- The Rim Diameter: Car rims (also known as wheels) come in different sizes. Make sure you purchase the right size diameter tire for your rims.
- The Speed Rating: Every tire that is approved for highway use is required to have a speed rating. The speed rating is a measurement of a vehicle tire’s ability to prevent buildup of heat. When buying tires, it’s important to make sure they coincide with your vehicle’s original speed capability. They should meet or exceed the speed rating on the tires that were factory-installed. If you mix tires of different speed ratings, you will reduce the maximum safe speed.
Still a little confused? The simplest way to select the right tires for your vehicle is to ask your certified auto technician at Geller’s Automotive. It gets even easier when you have your vehicle regularly serviced at our auto repair shop – we’ll let you know when it’s time to buy new tires. Contact us now to buy new tires for your vehicle.
How to the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) relate to buying new tires?
If you ever went out on a cold winter morning and saw a tire pressure warning light on your dashboard, that alert is coming from the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). Whenever the tire pressure in the tires gets too low, the system will trigger the light to let you know to add air. When replacing the tires, the TPMS needs to be reset. Also, if you are receiving an alert that a tire pressure sensor is faulty, you will have to have it replaced when you buy and install your new tires.
Should you have the wheels aligned when the tires are replaced?
Absolutely. You don’t want to be driving on new tires with a bad alignment. They’ll end up wearing out quicker and costing you more money in the long run. We don’t do alignments in our shop, but we can refer you to a shop that does.
When it comes to buying new tires, Geller’s Automotive can offer you many choices for competitive prices. If you prefer to buy your tires from an on-line vendor, like Tire Rack, have them shipped to us and we can install them for you. Click here now to schedule an appointment to buy new tires.
