7 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying Tires

As you know: tires are expensive. Depending on the size, type, and brand you get, they can run well over $100 per tire. Plus, you usually need four of them, so it can be a little hard on your wallet. So obviously, getting new tires isn’t something you just do on impulse. You want to be prepared and you definitely want to make sure you get ones that’ll work for you. In order to help you determine when it’s time to replace your tires and what kind of things you should be thinking about when purchasing new tires, we’ve put together this handy list! So here are some questions you should ask yourself before you buy:

# 1: How much tread do I have left?

If you have a damaged tire or unrepairable issue or if a mechanic tells you that you need new tires, you can go ahead and skip this question. Aside from that, this question is extremely relevant. You don’t want to replace your tires if you have plenty of life left, otherwise, you’re wasting money. Checking your tread depth is pretty easy! You won’t get an exact measurement, but you will be able to tell if it’s time for a change. Put it head-down in the tread grooves, and if you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it’s time for new tires.

# 2: What’s my tire size and vehicle type?

Do you know your tire size? Probably not off the top of your head, but don’t panic! It’ll be right on the side of your current tires. You can also look in the door of your vehicle or your owner's manual. The other thing the size will tell you is your vehicle type. If your size starts with P you have what’s classified as a passenger vehicle. If you see an LT instead, then you’ve got what’s known as a light truck. You’ll want to pay attention to these, as you don’t want to put passenger tires on a light truck or vice versa. Sometimes the size won’t have any letters in front of it, and if that’s the case it’s pretty safe to assume it’s a passenger tire.

# 3: What type of tire should I buy?

The most common types of tires are all season tires, winter tires, summer tires, light truck tires, and performance tires. Some vehicles will have a suggestion for what type you should get. If not, it’s going to be down to pretty much where you live and what you drive. For example, if you live in Arizona, you probably won’t need winter tires, but if you live in Michigan and it’s December, winter or at least all season tires are probably not a bad idea. Or if you have a sports car you might want performance tires to get the most out of your drive, but they wouldn’t do many favors to your pickup truck. You get the idea. Just think about your situation and the kind of weather you’re usually driving in. You should also note that different tire types can also handle differently, brake differently in different situations, and have different levels of noise and different fuel efficiencies, so be sure to factor that into your considerations.

# 4: Do I need specialty tires?

Do you have a trailer? Are you planning to go off-road? Any racing in your future? Do you haul things across the country for a living? If you answered yes to any of these then specialty tires may be for you. Aside from the tire types discussed above, they also make tires that are specific to a variety of applications, be they commercial tires, racing tires, mud terrain tires, or tires specifically designed to go on trailers. However, these specialty tires are really made for their specific applications, so keep that in mind when considering them. Trailer tires, for example, are designed to be towed and they won’t do well in a driving position.

# 5: Do I have to think about cargo or towing capacity?

If you drive a light truck or certain SUVS, or if you’re hauling a camper, a boat, or other heavy loads around on a regular basis, then you will definitely need to take these into consideration. For instance, if you attach something to a trailer hitch, whatever you’re hauling is going to exert force on that hitch and therefore your vehicle. This is called a tongue weight, and depending on what that weight is, you may need a heavier ply tire than you normally would. This is the same principle with a light truck, if you’re putting heavy items in it every day, you’re going to need a tire that can support that. What’s more, some towing applications may require you to go up a size or even have special tread, so make sure to look into it if you carry heavy loads.

# 6: Is it better to purchase tires in pairs or all four at once?

Honestly, it kind of depends. You do want your tires to have a similar tread pattern and be the same type, but the rest depends on your vehicle. Some vehicles with AWD you have to change all 4 tires (or at least get tires that are exactly the same, down to the tread life). Other vehicles (either with 2-wheel drive or that aren’t as sensitive) you can change 2 at a time as long as you keep them similar. There’s also the tread wear to consider: if you change all 4, the tires will all have the same wear and the ride will be smooth. But let’s face it, you can’t always afford 4 tires at once, so if you have the option and you decide to get just 2, you’ll want to place those ones on the rear axle. That way they’ll wear a bit slower so there won’t be such a huge difference when you get the other 2. Just remember you can’t mix tire types and sizes (excluding staggered) on one vehicle. So if you’re planning to change your size, or switching to winter tires, you definitely want to do all 4 at once.

# 7: How old is my spare tire?

Even if you’ve never used your spare tire, if you’re buying tires anyway you should ask yourself this question. Why? Because tires do have a shelf life, and this goes for spare tires, too. After a while, the rubber is just naturally going to dry out, and this can be accelerated if it’s been sitting around in the heat. So if your spare is pushing 10 years old, you should replace it, too. You sure don’t want to be stuck without one!

When buying tires, you should look for the following things:

• Tire code.
• DOT code.
• UTQG code.
• The type of tire.
• Fuel economy.
• Warranty.
• Noise.

Besides that, you should consider the following things:

• Manufacturer’s placard information.
• Whether to buy a new model or the same tire you currently have.
• What your needs are.
• Whether to buy a new or used tire.

Buying Tires Check List: Things to Look for in a Tire

Tire Code

Before buying tires, it’s vital that you check the tire code; as it contains info about the main specs, such as load and speed ratings, rim diameter, etc.

• Tire type.
  The first letter of the code may be:
  • P for Passenger tires – regular tires fit most passenger cars.
  • LT for Light Truck – tires with enhanced load-carrying capacities.
  • ST for Special Trailer – tires with thicker sidewalls for larger vertical loads.
  • T for Temporary – spare tires.
• Thread width.
  This three-digit number represents the distance between sidewall edges in millimeters.
• Aspect ratio.
  The aspect ratio follows a slash and indicates the relation of section height to section width. For example, aspect ratio 65 means that the section height is 65% of the section width. The lower the ratio is, the better the steering of the tire will be.
• Internal construction.
  You may see:
  • R for Radial (the newest construction which has become widespread for the last 25 years; steel, nylon cords, or cords of other origins are placed under the tread in a radial pattern).
  • B for Bias-Belt (a transition from bias-ply tires providing a smoother ride due to the belt-like layer under the tread).
  • “–” for Bias-ply (cords are placed diagonally under the tread, providing a rather rough ride).

On some tires you may also see D for Diagonal, which is the same as bias-ply.

• Rim diameter.
  A one- or two-digit number expressed in inches identifies the diameter of the wheel the tire is designed to work the best on.
• Load rating (index).
  A two- or three-digit number will show how much weight the tire can hold. Be aware that the index is introduced for one tire only – to get the full number, multiply it by four. You may see numbers from 60 (250 kg or 550 lb) to 139 (2,435 kg or 5,357 lb).

It’s important that when buying tires, you don’t choose one with a lower load index than specified in the recommendations.

• Speed rating (index).
  This is a letter that indicates to what speed the tire dissipates heat efficiently. The more heated the rubber is, the faster it wears. And if you exceed the fixed maximum your tire has, you risk tire failure.

  The most common rates are T (118 mph or 189.9 km/h) and H (130 mph or 209.2 km/h). These will be the most suitable for you if you travel for long distances on highways. However, if you aren’t a traveler, the S (112 mph or 180.2 km/h) rating may be enough for you.

There are different variations of tire code indexes, and every number and letter has to be considered and checked with the manufacturer’s manual.

DOT Code

DOT stands for the US Department of Transportation and its code is usually a combination of 10-13 digits and letters.

• Plant code.
  Every manufacturer’s plant in every country has its own 2-3-symbol code. Tire Safety Group provides a database with all plant codes available, so you could check this information.
• Tire size.
  The two following symbols show tire size. However, this code translation isn’t for customers. It concerns manufacturers, and is mostly molded for them. These codes make it easier for them to find tires that have to be recalled. There is a document by the Rubber Manufacturers Association that is updated every now and then. However, it shouldn’t be considered as the main manual, as it isn’t full and not all manufacturers use this system.
• Manufacturer identity number.
  This 3-4-symbol code is molded solely for manufacturers’ purposes: they identify a tire by this code and recall it if necessary.
• Date code.
  The main thing for the driver is the tire’s 4-digit date code. The first pair of numbers means the week of manufacture, and the second pair indicates the year. In our case, the tire was made during the 39th week of 2009. To learn more about reading date codes before buying tires, read this article.

The date code is vital for any driver, as it says precisely how old the tire is. A tire lasts for a maximum of 10 years, no matter whether it’s ridden or stored in your garage/a store. Most manufacturers recommend buying tires once your old set turns 6 years old.

UTQG code

The UTQG code shows estimates of 3 tire characteristics based on the tests conducted by a particular manufacturer.

• Treadwear.
  This rating is a 3-digit code, where 100 is standard wear, 200 – twice as much, etc. This is an estimate that is based on the tests run by the respective manufacturers. In extreme conditions or improper maintenance, the index may become irrelevant.
• Traction.
  This quality is evaluated in letters: AA, A, B, C, from the best to the worst. Traction test assesses stopping a vehicle on wet asphalt and concrete, measuring the coefficient in g (g-force).
• Temperature resistance.
  This characteristic is also measured in letters: A, B, C. It shows up to what speed a tire can safely dissipate heat, and is measured in mph. A goes for over 115 mph, B – 100-115 mph, and C – 85-100 mph.

The Uniform Tire Quality Grade code isn’t required for tires less than 12” in diameter, spare, winter, and deep-tread LT tires. All other tires that are sold in the US are required to be coded.

The Type of Tire

The most common tire types are:

• All-season.
  These are the most common tires of 14-18” sizes that provide a driver with an all-year grip, comfort, and a long lifespan. They can go 40,000-100,000 miles and usually have speed ratings of S (112mph) and T (118 mph).
• Performance all-season.
  These tires will provide you with a whole-year traction and improved handling. They have speed ratings of H (130 mph) and V (149 mph) and a mileage of 40,000-80,000. Their sizes usually vary from 15 to 20 inches.
• Ultra-high performance.
  There are all-season and summer (three-season) UHP tires. The first type will give up some wet and dry traction to perform better in snowy conditions. The second has improved grip on wet and dry surfaces and none on snow and ice. Among the drawbacks, there are fast wearing and harsh rides – consider this when buying tires. Their speed ratings are ZR (above 149 mph), W (168 mph), and Y (186 mph). Their mileage is usually 30,000-60,000 miles. The common sizes are 17-22 inches.
• All-season truck tires.
  These tires are manufactured to withstand exceed loads, suitable for SUVs and pickups. Other characteristics like grip and wear are within adequate parameters. The speed ratings are usually S (112 mph), T (118 mph), and H (130 mph). The mileage can go from 40,000 to 80,000 miles, and the sizes vary from 15 to 22 inches.
• All-terrain truck tires.
  Such tires are designed for heavy duties and applications. Think of buying tires like these if your car is frequently ridden with high loads. They work well both on paved roads and off-road, providing adequate traction on all surfaces, including snow. The speed rating is usually S (112 mph), the mileage is 50,000-60,000 miles, and the sizes can be from 15 to 20 inches.
• Winter/snow tires.
  Winter or snow tires provide you with amazing grip, braking, and cornering on snowy and icy surfaces. The rubber keeps pliability in extremely cold temperatures, but it wears faster and brakes slower on clean roads. Speed ratings for these tires start at Q (99 mph), there’s no precise mileage guarantees. The sizes are quite diverse, going from 14 to 22 inches, so buying tires like these shouldn’t be a trouble.
• Performance winter/snow tires.
  Such tires come in 4 sizes to fit the cars that use UHP tires during all other seasons. They offer better grip on icy and snowy roads, with speed ratings starting at H (139 mph). As with regular winter tires, these also have no stable mileage.
• Truck winter/snow tires.
  As suggested by the name, best winter tires are manufactured specially for SUVs and pickup trucks. Their speed rating is usually S (112 mph), there’s no guarantee of certain mileage, and size range is 15-20 inches.

Fuel Economy

Bridgestone Firestone North America reports that buying tires of different types can show a difference of 15-20% in fuel usage.

Some things you can do to determine which tire will provide the best fuel economy:

• Look for tires with low rolling resistance.
• One of the best options for fuel saving on your particular vehicle is the original equipment tire.
• Check the tire’s specs for fuel efficiency grade – dome manufacturers provide this information.

There were attempts to implement a law that would demand fuel economy rates molded on tire sidewalls. However, it’s difficult to create standards, as not all the drivers know their tires can affect fuel usage.

Warranty

There are two types of warranty a tire manufacturer can provide you with: defect protection and tread warranty. The most popular world-class manufacturers usually provide both, offering a guarantee that the tread will last for several years.

However, think twice before purchasing a warranty. They are provided on a particular number of miles, and it often happens that the tire wears out faster. In such a case, there’s a possibility that you will get a replacement. However, most manufacturers will thoroughly check whether you have been taking good care of your tire(s). They will check whether you rotated them every 5,000-7,000 miles, whether they were properly inflated all the time, etc. So it’s not a given that you will eventually get the service you paid for.

Noise

When buying tires, choose less noisy models. When you’re driving in the city on low speeds, this factor doesn’t make much difference. However, you may want your car to be as quiet as possible when you drive on a highway, especially if you have an SUV.

All tires make some noise due to air flowing through the tread, but you can choose a quieter one. Treads of the same type can also differ in the level of noise, so it’s better to consult a shop assistant before buying tires.

Things to Consider Before Buying Tires

Such placards include recommendations on the tire choice according to the size, speed and load capacity, steering, on- and off-road specifications, etc. of your particular vehicle. Buying tires that are bigger or smaller in size or aspect ratio can change:

• The vehicle’s condition.
  Tires keep your vehicle over the ground, so mounting a tire that is smaller in size will put more pressure on the rubber and increase the risk of crashing the car. Both bigger and smaller tires may need new wheels to operate well.
• The speedometer reading.
  The reading of your car’s speedometer usually depends on a full rotation cycle of the tire. When you change the size of your tire, you change the length of one circle. And considering that such speedometers are manufactured for a particular rotation length, increasing or decreasing it will provide you with wrong readings.
• The automatic transmission shifts change time.
  Buying tires of a different size will give your wheels different rotation and speed, so smaller tires will have to rotate more to achieve the speed you need. And considering that your transmission shifts according to the speed, the shifting time may change. Aside from that, there may be an impact on your fuel consumption and uphill/downhill shifts.

It’s possible to change tire size while avoiding these problems, but you should still consult your manufacturer agent. Also, you will need to keep the load of your car within the established parameters and adjust your transmission and speedometer.

If you don’t have your vehicle manufacturer’s manual, the same information can be found on the car. You can find it at the door edge, glove compartment door, trunk lid, or door port.

If you bought a used car and the information is painted over, you can find it on the manufacturer’s website or third-party services.

Current Vs. New Tire Model

Same Model

If you are satisfied with your current tires, the choice shouldn’t be a problem. If you’re still using your original equipment tires, note that they are made to perfectly match your vehicle and show all its benefits. If you notice your tires have bad grip and slip on wet surfaces, recall whether you had such problems when you bought them. If yes, you may need to try something new; if no, your tires are just old and/or worn out.

When buying tires that were on your car originally, expect the price to be pretty high. However, car manufacturers usually pair every vehicle with at least two different brands to match any driver’s budget. If there’s no information about this fact in your information placard, you can find the necessary alternative on websites that sell tires. There you will have to insert some information about your car to see the tires marked with OE (original equipment).

You can also find exact tires by knowing the code, which is different for many vehicle manufacturers. For General Motors it’s a TPC Spec code; for Porsche it’s N and numbers; for Mercedes – MO, MO1, or MOE, etc.

New Model

If you aren’t fully satisfied with the current tires, determine the issue and search for tires that meet your needs.

There is a trend on low-profile tires and larger wheels, but many people complain about the harshness of their ride. In such a case, picking touring or grand-touring tires instead of high- and ultra-high performance ones will make driving softer.

If you want more performance from tires in summer and don’t mind sacrificing your comfort a bit, buy summer tires instead of all-season ones. They will provide you with excellent grip on dry and wet surfaces, but no traction in snowy weather.

Make sure you do your research by reading about different brands of tires, their benefits, drawbacks, and pricing. Also, read reviews on official and independent services to be prepared for what you will see in a store.  And if you aren’t sure whether it’s even time to buy new tires, find out how often you should purchase new rubber for your car.

Your Needs

When buying tires, analyze your needs:

• Driving style.
  Determine what you need from your tire.
  • If you need comfort and good response, choose touring tires. They will provide you with a soft ride and good grip on dry and wet surfaces.
  • If you need performance for your sports car, buy high performance tires. They will provide you with good traction on dry and wet surfaces at higher speeds.
• Road.
  Do you drive more on highways or off-road?
  • If you drive a lot off the road and own a SUV or a pickup truck, consider off-road (all-terrain) or light-truck tires. They will provide you with sufficient grip on uneven surfaces.
  • If you own a SUV or a pickup but drive on the road, think of SUV tires. They will provide you with a comfortable on-road application of your car.
  • If you own a regular passenger or sports vehicle, think about touring or high performance tires.
• Regular load.
  If you drive a lot with large loads on your vehicle, consider getting tires with a higher load index. If you own a SUV or a pickup truck and/or have a loaded trailer, consider buying tires of LT (light-truck) or ST (special trailer) type. LT tires will withstand extended loads and carry them in off-road conditions. ST tires are designed especially for trailers: their sidewalls are thicker so they can carry more vertical load.
• The number of tires you need.
  If you just need one or a pair, don’t buy the whole set, as the other tires may age and deteriorate by the time you will need them.

New or Used

New

Why buy new tires:

• They will provide you with 100% tread.
• There will be no patches and repairs.
• There will be no external and internal damages that may lead to an accident.
• New tires have warranty and you are notified if the tire is recalled.

Read more information on why you may want to buy new tires here.

Used

Why buy used tires:

• By buying used tires you get up to 90% of tread for 50% price.
• Used tires can be in quite good condition, as some of them are taken off new cars after a couple hundred miles.
• You can help the environment by buying tires that were used, as otherwise they may end up in landfills.

Find some more information on why you may want to buy used tires here.

Choose Tires Carefully

Your tire choice determines the quality of your ride, as well as the speed and load of your vehicle. It also indicates whether you have wasted your money on nothing or the tire will serve you for years. If your tire choice is wrong, it can also jeopardize yourself and your car. The wrong size can become troublesome for your vehicle functions, and tire age can cause tire failure. So, make sure you have a serious attitude towards choosing the best tires for your vehicle when you go to a tire shop.

Finally, don’t wait until spring to buy tires, as their traction ability differs on different surfaces when they wear a bit. Grip increases on dry surfaces due to more contact patch exposure, meaning more tread touches the ground. However, as the tire wears, grip decreases on wet and snowy surfaces due to the inability of tread to dissipate water and “bite” into the snow. So, buying tires in spring will leave you with less tread in winter, which is when you need the most grip.