One of the most expensive parts about owning a car is having to replace the tires. The price of new tires for a sedan can range anywhere from $300 to $600 depending on what kind you need. Before you drop hundreds of dollars on new tires, read these five tips to make your tire shopping experience less of a hassle.
Check the Tread
Before you buy new tires, you should test the tread of your old tires instead of trusting the opinion of someone whose job it is to sell you tire. Instead of using the old mileage rule, do a simple penny test. Grab a penny and stick it between the tread of your tire with the head facing down. If you can see all of Abe’s head, you need to purchase new tires. If the tread goes up to his forehead, you’re in the clear (for now).
Choose the Right Tire
Choosing the right tires for your sedan can be difficult since all cars are not made the same. Your sedan may need different tires than another make and model. To figure out what type of tire you need, look at the tire. In embossed or white letters, you should see a letter, followed by a series of numbers. This code is your tire size.
You may see a number that looks similar to this: P195/65R15. “P” indicates the type of tire; “195” is the width of the tire across the tread in millimeters; “65” is the aspect ratio of the sidewall compared to the width; “R” is radial construction”; and “15” is the diameter of the rim in inches. You will need to know this full number when purchasing new tires.
Shop Around
Not every company offers the same prices for new tires. While one may charge $500 for four tires, you may be able to find the same set for $150 cheaper just down the road. The best way to shop around is to call different companies and give them your tire size. Then ask them what tire they would recommend for someone on a budget. Write down their answer and move on to the next. Before long, you should have a nice list to help you determine the best business to use.
Check the Weather
Where you live plays a huge role in what kind of tire you should purchase. If you live in a mild climate where you don’t have heavy winters, you may consider buying an all-weather tire. This type of tire is great for freeway driving. Another type of tire that is fairly popular is a performance tire. These are perfect for consistent highway driving. The tires are designed to give more traction while driving at high speeds while maintaining comfort.
However, if you live in an area that tends to get a lot of snow, you should definitely purchase a winter tire for your sedan. Winter tires provide more traction compared to all-weather tires.
Buy a Full Set
Even though tires can be very expensive, you should never purchase just two tires. Tires are made to be used as a complete set, meaning if you want the maximum effect, you’ll have to buy four of the same tire. Additionally, it’s important to rotate your tires every so often so you can maintain efficient use. Full sets of tires increase your fuel economy, ride comfort, and are less likely to cause issues down the road such as blowouts.
