As you spend a good portion of each day in your car traveling to and from work or chauffeuring your family around, it is essential that you make sure you are safe on the road. Your tires can mean the difference between stopping safely on a dime or sliding into a dangerous situation. So, today we are going to look at the important choices you need to make when shopping for new tires.
Created to handle rough terrain and harsh weather conditions, the average tire has a life expectancy of around 40,000 miles. As they approach the end of their functional mileage, you absolutely must get them replaced. They no longer keep the ability to do their job on water and ice, which means everyone in your car and sharing the road with you is in danger. It is necessary that all motorists take this rule to heart because a weak tire can easily lead to a fatal accident for you, your passengers, or other drivers on the road.
I know many friends and family members that put off shopping for new tires because they are not sure what to look for and always feel like they are paying too much. Hopefully, this article will help them to get a better perspective on the process, as nothing good comes from waiting too long to find replacements. The truth is that equipping your car with the right tires is just as important as choosing the specific type of vehicle to buy. No matter how powerful or fast or safe your car is, it won’t amount too much if your tires are unable to establish a good grip on the road.
The role of tires in your car safety cannot be understated. For this reason, we have taken a look at a few of the most common assumptions to allow you to make an informed decision when choosing your tires.
1. You Always Have Options
Assuming that you have very limited tire choices for your car is far from the truth. The fact is that consumers can choose from roughly 30 – 80 brands to meet their varying needs, region, driving style, and basic preference.
Rather than rely on what your closest tire dealer has in stock, it is best to spend some time doing your own research. Going online will quickly connect you to an extensive list of references and resources to help you understand how one brand differs from the other. If it is not in stock locally, you can always order online and have the neighborhood mechanic install them for you.
2. Not All Tires are the Same
It seems obviously, but many people do think one tire is just like the other. Stop and really consider the type of terrain you cover each day on the road. Is you part of the country incredibly rainy? Then tires designed to cut through water can mean the difference between a safe stop and hydroplaning.
Each car and driver has their own unique needs, whether functional or aesthetic. Some of the other qualities that you need to consider in buying new tires include tread life, traction, handling and naturally, its tag price.
3. It is Not All About the Price
Most consumers think that the higher the price, the better the quality. When it comes to tires, however, price is not the only factor to consider. The best way to attack shopping for new tires is to first determine what you need and then find a few brands that can deliver all these requirements. Websites like consumer reports can then help you to narrow further. That is the point when you want to start taking a closer look at the pricing.
4. Sticking with What You Have is Not Always the Best Choice
To save on time and money, many drivers simply choose to stick with what they have. While this is not entirely wrong, the fact that technology is always evolving means it is a good idea to keep your options open.
The tires that your dealership first placed on the car are there because they are short term economical, not necessarily the best set for long term driving, safety, and value. Also, you should make sure to look at recall numbers for the different brands, so that you can be confident in the tire you purchase.
Hopefully, this information will help you keep your tires safe for your and for those around you.
When not talking auto maintenance, you can find Bryan at TruckertoTrucker.com helping business owners answer the question of “how do I sell my trailer.” If you are feeling social, you can also say hello at @semitrucks.