Tire buying guide
When do I need to buy new tires?
Tires are more complicated than they seem, but we are here to make them simple. Most importantly, you should check your tires at least once a month to ensure your tires are safe to drive on. A flat does not necessarily mean your tire needs to be replaced but you will want to get your vehicle serviced and have a trained technician assess the damage to the tire since they will tell you what they recommend. There are three things to consider when trying to figure out if a repair is possible.
- Have you driven on the tire while it is flat?
- Is the damage in the sidewall (the part that does not touch the road)?
- Is the puncture less than ¼ inch deep?
- Are your tires worn to 4/32 or less tread depth?
You are more likely to need a replacement if the answer is “yes” to one or more of
the above questions.
Two common ways to check tread depth (tread wear)
Replacing One Tire
Find the exact match to the tire that you are replacing. Brand, model, speed rating, and load capacity need to be an exact match, or you will likely experience the above conditions; poor handling, pulling, or compromised braking. It is not recommended to replace only one tire without at least replacing the tire on the opposite side unless the tread is barely worn (less than 2/32nds used).
Replacing Two Tires
When you need to remove and replace two tires it is best to rotate them to the back and have the older two on the front to help prevent fishtailing. In easy terms, your front tires grip the road and tell your vehicle what direction to go in while your back tires grip the road to follow. If the front of your vehicle says “turn” but the back is not following then your vehicle will fishtail, which means the back end moves out to the side. If you have ever had your vehicle side on ice then you have an idea what fishtailing would feel like.
Replacing Three Tires
Please do not replace only three tires. If you must replace three tires, then it is best to just replace all four and avoid the complications of mismatched tread depths. If you really must replace just three tires, then make sure that two of the new tires are mounted on the back to help prevent fishtailing and reduce the risk of hydroplaning.
Replacing Four Tires
This is always, always, the recommended approach. The only reasons not to replace all four tires at once is either because your tires are already new and only one or two were damaged by a road hazard or because replacing all four is too expensive. However, for your safety (and the safety of everyone in the vehicle with you) we, and anyone else in the automotive industry, will always recommend replacing all four tires at a time. Good tires are expensive and that is why we work with several companies that provide financing options, so you do not need to compromise safety in the name of finances.
Tire Maintenance & Safety
Tires affect your vehicle handling, ride, braking, and safety. For optimum performance, tires must have the correct air pressure, tread depth, balance and the wheels of the vehicle must be properly aligned. Learn all about these topics and more from our tire maintenance & safety articles.
How to Use a Tire Pressure Gauge
You cannot measure a tire’s pressure properly if you do not know how to use a tire pressure gauge. There are a couple of different types of tire pressure gauges that you might want to consider. Keep the equipment that you always prefer in your vehicle so that you can check your tire pressure at any time. Having the tire pressure gauge in your vehicle will improve your vehicle’s performance on the road, keeping you and your family safer in any driving condition.
How to Check Your Tire Pressure
Step 1:
Find the recommended air pressure on your vehicle’s tire information label. It is usually on the driver’s doorframe or door ledge, but you may also find it in your glove box or vehicle owner’s manual.
Step 2:
Check tires at least three hours after driving. The recommended pressure is cold inflation pressure. Tires heat up when you drive, which increases pressure.
Step 3:
Check the pressure of all four tires, as well as the spare tire if your vehicle has one.
- Check your tire pressure every month. Tires naturally lose pressure over time, and changes in outdoor temperature affect your tire pressure too.
How to Use a Conventional Tire Pressure Gauge
- Conventional tire pressure gauges are about the size of a pencil. They typically have metal exteriors with plastic rods that extend when the device is attached to a tire stem. As air rushes out of the tire, it forces the plastic rod to extend. Notches along the rod’s side will tell you how much pressure has been exerted. Most tire pressure gauges have black notches on white rods. Every tenth notch is usually a bit larger than the others. This makes it easier for you to read the PSI.
- For instance, if you attach the gauge to your tire and the rod extends to a large 3 and a small 4, then your reading is 34 PSI. Do not get confused by thinking that the gauge is giving you a measurement of 3.4 PSI.
How to Use an Electronic Tire Pressure Gauge
- Electronic tire pressure gauges can give you highly accurate pressure ratings. You simply turn the device on, press it against your tire’s nozzle, and get an accurate reading of the pressure.
- There are, however, some drawbacks to using an electronic tire pressure gauge. First, they cost more than conventional tire pressure gauges. The extra expense, however, isn’t that great. If you have a hard time reading the notches on a conventional tire pressure gauge, then the extra money is worth it.
- The bigger problem is making sure the electronic tire pressure gauge is properly powered. If the batteries are running low, then you could get inaccurate readings or no reading at all. That puts you and your family in danger. If you prefer using an electronic gauge, then make sure you check the batteries regularly. You might also want to keep spare batteries in the vehicle for emergencies.
Practice Using Your Tire Pressure Gauge
- Regardless of whether you prefer a conventional tire pressure gauge or an electronic one, you should practice using the tool before you encounter any emergency. A small amount of practice could make it much easier for you to check your tire pressure on the side of the road.
- It is important to know how to measure your tire pressure because properly inflated tires are safer than under or overinflated tires. Underinflated tires, for instance, can hydroplane easily. Overinflated tires wear down more quickly. They also make it hard to quickly stop and to control the vehicle in slippery conditions.
- If you know how to use a tire pressure gauge, though, you can check the pressure regularly to make sure your family is safe on the road.
Tire Buying Guides
Whether you as customer looking for a specific performance type of tire ranging from all seasons, all terrain, all weather to winter tires, or just need help interpreting tire language like load or speed ratings, tire service descriptions, and DOT codes, our tire buying guide articles will help guide you to buy the right tires for your needs.
Find the best tires for your vehicle is important. The way that you drive, the location you live in, the weather conditions in your area all have an impact on the best tire to use for your vehicle. Discover the best tires to pair with your vehicle from a wide range of types like car or passenger, SUV, CUV, LT and more as well as the best tires for vehicle makes and models from chevy to Toyota and everything in between using our selection of best tire articles.
Read the latest in tire news and information including the basics of tire design from tire wear bars and tread designs like bias, bias-belted and radial tires to tire characteristics like cornering force, slip angles, rolling resistance and more. Get our expert advice on driving-related news as well from the best car apps to download, the best driving manners, how to share the road with bikes and big rigs and even the basics of child car seats. You will find everything you need to know within our tire news and information articles.
When it comes to making the right tire purchase, it helps to compare your options. Read about new vs used tires, racing vs street tires, and even specific tire product lines compared to one another to help you make the most informed decision possible. You will find all the details you need to make the right selection within our tire comparison articles.
Tire FAQs
How do I read a tire’s sidewall to tell its size?
What inflation pressure should I use in my tires?
When do I need a tire rotation?
What factors are important to consider when choosing tires?