Most people know the penny trick when checking the tread on their car’s tires. It helps to determine if you need to go out and buy new ones or not. However, if you need to replace your tires, it will take more than just finding some cheap ones to slap onto the vehicle. 

There are four important things to remember when determining which tires you should buy. Let’s look at why having good tires is essential, what you need to consider when purchasing new ones, and how to replace them. 

Why are good tires so crucial to your vehicle?

Vehicle owners buy tires for performance. You want to keep them in the best shape possible so they can perform as they should for a long time before needing to replace them again. Tires in poor condition aren’t going to give you a smooth ride, and they’ll increase your risk of a blowout while traveling down the road.

While it’s not necessary to purchase a set of four, you should at least buy two and place the new ones in the rear of the vehicle. This way, the car is balanced on both sides to provide the best possible performance. 

When you’re not buying new ones for the vehicle, get your tires rotated at least once a year to help with wear. It’s recommended that it should be done at least every 5,000-8,000 miles, which is just about a year for most people. 

What you should consider when buying new tires

According to Access Auto Insurance, when buying new tires, there are four important things to keep in mind before deciding which ones you’ll put on your vehicle. 

1. Your car’s make and model– According to Goodyear, this will indicate if there are any specific requirements your tires need to have, like size, for example. 
2. Consider the weather where you live– Do you live in a snowy area, or does it feel like summer most of the year? Winter tires or all-season ones will work better in areas that see snow and ice, while summer tires perform better in warmer climates. 
3. How many miles do you drive in a week?– If you put on a lot of miles, you might want to consider all-season tires, as they tend to last longer. A regular set could do you just fine if you don’t put too many miles on your vehicle a week.
4. How much weight you put in your vehicle– If you add a decent amount of weight to your vehicle, you will need to make sure your tires are rated to carry the extra weight. 

How to buy and install the tires you choose

Armed with the information above, you can consult a tire professional to determine which tires will be the perfect fit for your vehicle. They’ll talk you through the options they recommend and discuss the prices a set of them would bring. If you have the company install them for you, they will also let you know of any labor costs and if tire balancing and alignment are included or if you have to pay extra for them. 

Installing them yourself would be quite difficult as you need some equipment to make the job easier. It’s not impossible, but it won’t be as easy to do as it would be for a mechanic with the right machinery. Also, you should have the vehicle’s front end aligned when the tires are replaced, which could take an hour or so for a professional to do. 

It’s not recommended to buy used tires, but if you must, be sure the ones you’re getting are of decent quality. Look out for:

• Poor tread
• No exposed cords
• Major imperfections (punctures, thinning areas)
• Tire’s age (Tire ID will help you with age and if there are any recalls on it)

Replacing tires takes more thought and research than finding a cheap set to install on your vehicle. You need to find ones that will meet your car’s specific needs, like weather, miles you drive in a week, and how much weight your vehicle will carry. Matching the right set of tires to what your vehicle needs will help your car ride smoothly and keep your tires going strong for a long time.