Car Tires

[ccyclonepower25]

How do I know when I should replace car tires? About how long should a new set of tires last?

I may need to replace a couple or all four car tires. What should I look for, and where can I get a good deal in the DM area?

Thanks,

 

[BigBake]

Research tires for your vehicle on Tirerack and other online sources.

If you purchase from a local retailer compare their price to the online source. Expect to pay more to buy from local retailer of course but you can at least get an idea if their price is "fair".

 

[Natejj]

I've found that Sam's Club is pretty hard to beat in terms of price.

 

[Stewo]

How do I know when I should replace car tires? About how long should a new set of tires last?

I may need to replace a couple or all four car tires. What should I look for, and where can I get a good deal in the DM area?

Thanks,

1. Take a penny, turn it so Abe's head is facing the tire. Place it between the treads. If the tread is only up to his head or below, you need new tires.

2. Different tires are rated for different things and different miles. You'll have to look around at different tires to find an answer.

3. Depends on your vehicle and the type of driving you do. My suggestion is to go to tirerack.com and find tires there and either have them sent to you or directly to a shop where they can mount them to your car.

 

[Ames]

1. Take a penny, turn it so Abe's head is facing the tire. Place it between the treads. If the tread is only up to his head or below, you need new tires.

2. Different tires are rated for different things and different miles. You'll have to look around at different tires to find an answer.

3. Depends on your vehicle and the type of driving you do. My suggestion is to go to tirerack.com and find tires there and either have them sent to you or directly to a shop where they can mount them to your car.

This. 100% what I would have said.

 

[M6WS6]

Look for the tread indicator bar that is on the tires . If you are down to the tread indicator (flush or smooth with the tread) you should be looking into new tires, especially if you drive in any kind of winter conditions. Law states tire manufacturers have these on all tires, and you can be ticketed I believe if you are at these (a friend had this happen).

The penny trick works good as well as that is about the same height of the thread indicators.

 

[Naughtius]

I would recommend getting the round ones.

 

[CarolinaCy]

3. Depends on your vehicle and the type of driving you do. My suggestion is to go to tirerack.com and find tires there and either have them sent to you or directly to a shop where they can mount them to your car.

If going that route, has anyone ever bought tires from DiscountTireDirect? Their prices are a little higher than TireRack, but they offer free ground shipping, so it ends up being a much better deal.

Home - Discount Tire Direct

 

[cymate]

get ready to take it up somewhere where you dont want it. its gonna be hella expensive

 

[Boxerdaddy]

I found a great deal online from walmart a year ago. Check there. You can order online and they don't charge shipping to the store (assuming they don't have them in stock locally)

Keep in mind if you buy tires from tirerack or somewhere like that you'll still need someone to put them on your rims...and balance them.

Also don't forget step disposal fees etc when figuring the price. Lots of people rip on walmart but when I told them how much I paid they were amazed...not saying you'll find a great deal for your car but worth a look.

EDIT:

Also...if you're looking at selling your car in a year or so and don't want to foot the bill for a brand new set of tires... Flatt tire center in des moines sells used tires. I got a set before this last set because I wasn't sure if i'd want to keep my car past the end of my 80k warranty. Figured i'd get about 25-30k out of them and was right and only cost me $160 installed for 4 tires. Just an option. Not for everybody or every situation but worked for me.

 

[Cutlass]

If going that route, has anyone ever bought tires from DiscountTireDirect? Their prices are a little higher than TireRack, but they offer free ground shipping, so it ends up being a much better deal.

Home - Discount Tire Direct

I've bought from DiscountTireDirect several times and will again. I've had good luck with them and good customer service. They've become my goto shop vs. Tirerack.

 

[MartyMcCy]

Just got tires installed about a week ago.

I used TireRack and ConsumerReports to pick out the top 2-3 tires that fit my preferences, then price compared those at Sams Club, WalMart, and TireRack. TireRack has "preferred" installers that will charge about $80 to install all 4 tires, and the tires will be shipped directly to them. Another bonus with TireRack is no tax, but the shipping costs are actually a little higher than what you save in tax. If you have the tires shipped to your residence, you can bring in the tires to WalMart and they will install them for about $60.

After all was said and done, Sams Club had a free install for Goodyear tires, so the price ended up being the same as going through TireRack and paying for the install.

 

[ruxCYtable]

I've bought from Sam's and tirerack and been happy with both. If you order from tirerack Walmart will install them cheap.

The penny trick is a good one. I don't like to go into winter with less than 4/32" of tread though so if I am getting close and winter is approaching I use a nickle instead of a penny.

As far as how long tires should last, look at the treadwear rating. A tire rated 500 should last five times as long as a tire rated 100, 600 is three times as long as 200 and so on. I'd recommend a traction rating of A or higher (AA is higher than A) and a temperature rating of B or higher. When you combine those three factors together, I'd look for a tire rated 500 A/B or higher.

Just one man's opinion. Hope you didn't find it mind-numbing.

 

[M6WS6]

Depending on your mechanical skills too, many places if you buy tires and have them do the work, you get lifetime tire rotations for free. I haven't had the experience of using this and I usually do my own work, but having that would be beneficial for anyone. Obviously that is more than likely put somewhere into the costs of the tires, but once you have all your quotes together, you can see how much that is worth for you.

 

[ccyclonepower25]

How do you size the tire? My Tires are 205/65/R15. Is that the only size you can get? Or can any of these Variables vary?

 

[ruxCYtable]

How do you size the tire? My Tires are 205/65/R15. Is that the only size you can get? Or can any of these Variables vary?

You might be able to get a slightly different size but keep in mind this could screw up your speedometer. I THINK tirerack has a thing where you can calculate alternate tire sizes (can't look right now). If not, google for it because I'm pretty sure there are calculators on the internet that will tell you what sizes you can use with your current rims and also how it will impact your speedometer.

 

[ccyclonepower25]

What about Road Hazard Warranty? I assume I don't need this.

 

[Stewo]

What about Road Hazard Warranty? I assume I don't need this.

That's up to you. I've never gotten it before, but that doesn't mean anything.

 

[Stewo]

Also, if I were you, I'd just find the exact same size tires for your car. No need to make it more difficult for yourself.

 

[ruxCYtable]

What about Road Hazard Warranty? I assume I don't need this.

When you find out how little a Road Hazard Warranty actually covers, I think you will find the added cost to be not worth it. I bought it with a set of tires a few years ago and two weeks later the tire was punctured by a nail and the RHW didn't cover it. It only covers if the tire is completely destroyed and unrepairable and even then it is prorated by mileage. I'll never buy road hazard again.