How do I know what tires to buy?

You can locate the tire size on the sidewall of your tire or on the driver's door placard along with the tire pressures. Step 2: Identify the tire type. The prefix to the first number tells you about the type of tire. It is commonly “P” for a passenger tire or “LT” for a light truck tire.

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Similarly, how do I know what size tires to buy?

The two digit number after the slash mark is the aspect ratio which measures the tire's cross-section to it's width. If the tire size is 255/60 R16, the 60 means that the height is 60% of the tire's width. The bigger the aspect ratio, the bigger the tire's sidewall will be.

Furthermore, does it matter what kind of tires you buy? OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) tires are the ones fitted to your car at the factory, but buying the same type of tire as a replacement isn't always the best choice. They may choose a tire that emphasizes comfort over handling or handling over tread life. As a consumer, you can do better by shopping around.

Furthermore, what is the best place to buy tires?

Below are the best places to buy tires, and all are rated as top options by Consumer Reports.

1. Discount Tire. As the name implies, Discount Tire focuses on offering excellent deals on tires.
2. Tire Rack. Tire Rack built their own track to test tires.
3. Amazon Tires.
4. TireBuyer.
5. Costco.
6. Big O Tires.
7. Tire Barn.

What do I need to know when buying new tires?

• Make sure that your car is in good shape.
• Check your owners manual and information placard.
• Decipher the tire code.
• Consider the wheels.
• Buy a full, matching set.
• Check on your spare.
• Consider buying over the Internet or by catalog.
• Break in your new tires carefully.

Related Question Answers

How do you know if tires will fit my car?

Width + Aspect Ratio + Rim = Your Tire Size You can find your width, aspect ratio, and rim size on your tire's sidewall, which amounts to your tire size.

Can you put different width tires on same rim?

Rim Width Range. Because tires have flexible sidewalls, a single tire size will fit on a variety of rim widths. The industry rule of thumb is that for every 1/2" change in rim width, the tire's section width will correspondingly change by approximately 2/10".

Can I put wider tires on my stock rims?

To keep the suspension and speedometer functioning correctly, both the stock diameter and width of the wheels and tires needs to be maintained. As a general rule of thumb, it's safe to fit a tire up to 20 millimeters wider than stock on the original rim.

What size tires will fit?

On average, if your truck isn't lifted, you can fit tires up to 33”. In case the vehicle is lifted, you can find a good set of 37” or larger tires to fit.

How do I know if rims will fit my car?

The two easiest ways are to check the sticker plate in your car, it should be located inside the driver side door, or look online for the vehicle specifications for your exact make and model. That should tell you the standard rim size.

Do wider tires handle better?

Larger tires improve handling and cornering, due to wider tread faces and stiffer sidewalls. Wider tires may decrease braking distances on dry pavement. Wider tires may also increase acceleration, especially in very powerful vehicles such as muscle cars.

What is the biggest tire I can use?

Depending on your vehicle make and model, you can sometimes fit up to 33″ tires on your truck if it is un-lifted. Although bigger ones might fit, they can interfere you're your vehicles balance and suspension. However, if your truck is lifted it could accommodate tires of 37″ or more depending on the size of the lift.

How long do car tires last?

three to four years

What is the best month to buy tires?

If you want to score the best deals, buy your tires in the months of April or October. Why? Although tire sales happen randomly throughout the year, you can be sure they will go on sale in April when the weather turns warm and consumers start thinking about vacations and road trips.

What is the best cheap tire brand?

15 Best Cheap Tires for Your Money

• Continental CrossContact LX20 EcoPlus.
• Michelin Premier LTX.
• Firestone Destination LE 2.
• Pirelli Scorpion Verde All Season Plus.
• Michelin Defender LTX M/S.
• Continental TerrainContact A/T.
• Michelin LTX A/T 2.
• More Auto Stories on Clark.com.

How Much Should 4 new tires cost?

According to recent reviews, Angie's List members report paying an average cost of $637 to replace four tires, with a range of $525 to $725. According to CostHelper, a standard, all-season tire costs between $50 and $200 each with an average price of $80 to $150.

Can you negotiate tire prices?

The big box stores will not negotiate on price and there is no guarantee that the person mounting and balancing your tires has been properly trained. If it is not possible to shop at a factory store, look for a tire store that carries a large selection of brands, including the one you have picked out.

Is WalMart a good place to buy tires?

Walmart tires can be a fantastic value, and knowing what to expect from this giant super-store will make your buying experience a good one. Plus, with over 2,400 locations it is a convenient place to buy tires. Getting the best tire price can be great, but be aware of the quality.

Are Costco tires a good deal?

Costco offers a five-year road hazard guarantee and lifetime maintenance, including free tire balancing and flat repairs. If cost is your major concern and you like the idea of saving some extra pennies with nitrogen in your tires, Costco might be your best bet. But be prepared to wait.

Should I buy tires from dealership?

Traditionally, the most expensive option is to return to the dealership. Dealers will replace worn tires with original-equipment tires. Prices can be reasonable and the service manager will help consumers select the correct tire for their vehicle. However, consumers should always shop around for the best prices.

Do all 4 tires need to be the same brand?

For optimal safety and performance, Continental recommends fitting the same tires to every wheel position on your car, so drivers should have the same brand, size, tread pattern, load index, and speed rating on the front and rear tires.

Are Pirelli tires as good as Michelin?

Pirelli was excellent in low rolling resistance, very good in five categories, and good in the remaining categories. However, the tread wear ratings were 85,000 miles (Michelin), 70,000 (Pirelli) and 55,000 (Continental).

Should I get H or V rated tires?

V rating is the next step for speeds up to 240 kph. Z, W and Y are ratings for speeds over 240 kph. The rating is the speed the tire has been tested to for continuous safe driving. The English equivalent speed for H-rated tires is 130 mph and V-rated tires are good for up to 149 mph.

Should I buy cheap or expensive tires?

It's no surprise that the more expensive tires generally stop better when brand new. In some cases though, it's not by much. The answer isn't simply that you should buy the most expensive tire out there. In fact, the data points to some great deals that can be had on cheap tires.