Author: lazarus

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We’ve all been there.

It’s the worst possible timing and you have already budgeted for other things. But your tires have given out. That means it’s time for another trip to the auto shop, or at the very least, another expense. Car repairs can get costly in a variety of ways, and most of them come for parts about which we have little understanding or knowledge. But tires?

Many consumers view tires differently than the intricate mechanical parts in and around the vehicle. They’re easily visible, so we often feel plenty knowledgeable to make buying decisions. Surely, this is an area where we can save money, right? All we need is to buy a set of used tires!

Maybe, but it’s not that simple.

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of used tires. What should everyday consumers keep in mind when deciding between used tires and new? And is it truly a cheaper option in the long run?

Pros: Cheap and Environmentally Friendly

Clearly, the most common reason consumers consider buying used tires is the cost. It is true that with about 38 million used tires available nationally each year, sellers can offer large discounts for older tires, often half the price or less than for new tires.

There also happens to be an environmental benefit to re-selling tires. Discarding millions of tires each year contributes a large amount of pollution, and like any industry, there are positives to recycling these materials and reducing waste.

However, there are other uses for used tires when they do fall out of circulation. There is a growing market for recycled rubber. These materials have been reused for a range of projects, from improving asphalt to make roads quieter and smoother to making running tracks or field turf.

While those are the two largest benefits of buying used tires, do they outweigh the risks?

Let’s take a look at the other side.

Cons: Risk, Risk, Risk

There are several factors to consider before buying tires of any kind — and especially when looking at used tires. The first, as always, is safety.

In addition to the reduced performance of older, worn tires, it comes as no surprise that these are far less safe than new tires. A study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that tires with a tread depth of 4/32″ or less were significantly more likely to play a contributing factor in crashes.

There are, of course, ways to determine the tread on your tires. The most common is the penny test: placing a penny into the groove of the tread rows with Abraham Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can see Lincoln’s head fully, the tires are too worn. Simple enough, right?

However, the penny only has 2/32″ of space between the top and Lincoln’s head. Since we know 4/32″ seems to be the necessary threshold for safe tread, many sources now suggest doing the same test, but with a quarter! There is 4/32″ of space between the top of a quarter and George Washington’s head, making it a better at-home measurement.

But what if the tread on the used tires you’re considering is fine?

Cons: The Unknown

Well, there are still numerous other factors to be cautious about. And many of them may not be readily visible to the everyday customer.

A few issues that are tougher to find can range from the age of the tire (experts caution against buying tires more than six years old), any liner or bead damage, or repairs of punctures on the inside of the tire. If buying used tires, be sure to check for any of these problems.

However, the biggest risk of all is the unknown.

When you buy new tires, sellers have to adhere to strict federal standards. But when it comes to used tires, that is not the case at all. There are no set guidelines and very few restrictions on selling used tires around the country.

That means that not only is it difficult to find some of those issues we listed above, but it’s nearly impossible to know the history of the used tires you’re considering.

How were they driven in the past? Did the previous owner drive them when under- or over-inflated? Were they used at excessive speeds? Were they properly maintained or ever repaired at a certain point?

These are all questions you would want to ask before buying used tires, but unfortunately, it could be hard to find the answers.

New Regulations for Used Tires

The lax standards for selling used tires has prompted some new legislation in certain parts of the country. For example, California passed a law in 2019 prohibiting the installation of unsafe used tires.

That law cites an NHTSA study that found worn-out tires to be three times more likely to be involved in a crash than tires with sufficient tread. The bill targets specific characteristics that would make a set of used tires unsafe. While not banning used tires altogether, it ensures that auto dealers must inspect used tires before installing them on a vehicle for highway use.

As automotive safety and manufacturing groups continue to push for newer, stricter regulations, it may become a safer prospect to purchase used tires. However, there are still many areas in the country that are operating with no such guidance.

Is It Truly Cheaper to Buy Used Tires?

The final consideration leads us back to the beginning — how much money can I save on tires? In the short term, it is no secret that used tires would initially be an easier cost to manage. But extending your view to the long term may paint a different picture.

Considering the risks in driving with reduced tread depth, you will likely need a replacement each time the tires reach that 4/32″ threshold for safety. So, it’s necessary to consider how often you’ll be replacing tires if you consistently commit to buying used tire after used tire.

Let’s simplify the math: if you buy a used tire for $50 instead of a new tire for $100, you would have to expect to get at least half of the use to get value at that cost.

However, most new tires are expected to last at least three to four years. So, if the worn-down tread on a used tire forces you to replace them each year, you would not only be shopping more often but spending more money. You’d spend $150–200 over those three or four years. Compare that to spending around $100 for a new tire that likely would have lasted even longer.

Maybe you can find a used tire that will last long enough for value, but as we’ve mentioned, there are many factors beyond tread that can cause worry for drivers using used tires, and many of them are unknowns.

Are the short-term savings worth the price you pay in peace of mind? Or worth the price, period?

No, probably not.

Make Tire Shopping Easier With Tread Connection

Once you’ve made your decision on the value of buying new compared to used, let Tread Connection simplify the process for you to buy tires. Have a professional meet you at home or at your office to get you driving with confidence without the headaches of visiting a dealership or auto shop!

 

 

BUY TIRES

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Categories: All Stores, ArrowheadAZ-124, AustinTX-104, BocaRaton-101, BrokenArrowOK-112, CasperWY-137, CharlotteNC-116, ClovisCA-113, ConcordNC-131, coronaNY-117, DC-102, DenverCO-106, DesMoines-134, FlowerMoundTX-140, gallowayoh-139, GastoniaNC-111, GatosCA-128, Gilbert, GreeleyCO-123, GreensboroNC-120, HoustonTX-114, LafayetteLA-118, LancasterPA-130, LubockTX-109, MidlandTX-103, MinneapolisMN-110, MooresvilleNC-105, NorwoodMA-127, RockHillSC-129, RTP-119, SaltLakeUT-122, SLO-115, SouthDavisUT-136, SouthRenoNV-132, SummerlinNY-133, TampaFL-108, ThorntonCo-138, Uncategorized, WeatherfordTX-125, WilcoTX-121

Buying new tires is a purchase many car owners dread. This is especially true if you need to buy multiple tires as the same time. It’s understandable to look for ways to save money if you need a new set of tires. But are you shortchanging your car when you buy cheap tires? Are expensive tires worth the extra money?

It turns out there is more to consider than just the price when it comes to finding value for your tires. Here is what you need to know about tires and if expensive tires are really worth it when it comes to your vehicle.

Don’t Think Expensive Tires are Automatically Better

If you’re not concerned about the finances of purchasing new tires, you may opt to get the most expensive tire option available. You might think to yourself, “They’re the most expensive, so they must be the best, right?” It turns out this isn’t always the case.

Where you live, your annual mileage, and how you drive can all inform which tire will work best for you. One test shows that there is a much larger difference in stopping distance between a new, expensive tire and that same tire after it has worn down a bit. By comparison, more affordable tires can lead to a more consistent driving experience for the long haul.

Don’t Just Buy the Cheapest Tires Either

Of course, it’s also important to think with your head and not just your wallet when it comes to buying tires. It can be tempting to immediately jump on the lowest price. However, the lowest price does not always mean the best value.

A study by Consumer Reports compared some of the most affordable tire brands from China with their counterparts from the rest of the world. The study found that none of the tires measured up to the brands you already know and trust.

While one of the tires in the study was half the price of its more expensive cousin, the more expensive tire lasted nearly three times longer. Which tire is the better value for your money?

A big part of what determines your tire value is how much mileage you get out of it. A $40 tire might seem like a great deal on the surface, but it’s likely you’ll need to replace your tires much more often. In the end, you may spend just as much, if not more, than if you’d purchased quality tires in the first place.

Do Work with a Tire Company You Trust

When buying and installing new tires, where you buy your tires can be just as important as your tires themselves. When it comes to the safety and longevity of your vehicle, it’s never worth it to leave things to chance just to save a few dollars.

The right tire service provider will help you determine the right size and type of tire for your vehicle. Furthermore, you should be able to count on your tire provider to be honest with you and help you find the tire with the best value, not just the most expensive option. The tire experts at Tread Connection have specials on a wide variety of leading tire brands including Yokohama, Hankook, and Goodyear.

Do Your Research on Your Tires

Even if you’re working with a company you trust, it always pays to do your research on your tires. Ask yourself questions like how much you drive, and research tires that match your vehicle and driving style to give yourself a better understanding of your options.

After you’ve done your research, you can feel confident when talking to your tire provider and know if they’re giving you the best deal possible.

Do Bring the Tire Shop to You

Now that you’ve done your research and found a reputable tire provider, it’s time to get rolling on some new tires!

Don’t take time out of your workday to drive to a shop for new tires. Visiting a tire shop means getting a coworker or family member to follow you to the store so you can get a ride back. The other option is waiting at the store for hours while you wait for a simple tire installation.

It’s time to bring the tire shop to you! Find a Tread Connection mobile tire provider in your area, and see how you can get your tires cared for from the comfort of your home or office.

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Categories: All Stores, ArrowheadAZ-124, AustinTX-104, BocaRaton-101, BrokenArrowOK-112, CasperWY-137, CharlotteNC-116, ClovisCA-113, ConcordNC-131, coronaNY-117, DC-102, DenverCO-106, DesMoines-134, FlowerMoundTX-140, gallowayoh-139, GastoniaNC-111, GatosCA-128, Gilbert, GreeleyCO-123, GreensboroNC-120, HoustonTX-114, LafayetteLA-118, LancasterPA-130, LubockTX-109, MidlandTX-103, MinneapolisMN-110, MooresvilleNC-105, NorwoodMA-127, RandolphNJ-126, RockHillSC-129, RTP-119, SaltLakeUT-122, SLO-115, SouthDavisUT-136, SouthRenoNV-132, SummerlinNY-133, TampaFL-108, ThorntonCo-138, Uncategorized, WeatherfordTX-125, WilcoTX-121

When it comes to our cars, it can feel like we’re always looking for ways to save money. This often means avoiding or putting off services we know we shouldn’t. Among those services is balancing your tires.

It turns out there are all kinds of reasons why you should balance your tires. In addition to keeping you safe, balancing your tires can give you a smoother ride while also extending the life of your car. Here are five reasons why you need to balance your tires, and what you need to know to get the job done right.

What is Tire Balancing?

Before we can get into why it’s important, you need to know exactly what tire balancing does. Modern tires have tiny weights attached to them near the edges of your wheels when they are installed. These weights help to evenly distribute the weight of the tire. Tire balancing is when these weights are adjusted to ensure each tire is balanced equally. This ensures a smooth and even ride.

It’s important to remember that tire balancing and wheel alignment are not the same thing. They’re both important, but they also both do very different things to your tires. Tire balancing adjusts the weights and their distribution on the tire.

Wheel alignment, sometimes called tire alignment, is when you adjust your car’s suspension to correct the angles of your tires on your vehicle. This makes sure the rubber literally meets the road in just the right way for safe and secure travel. Today, we want to focus specifically on the benefits of balancing your tires.

1. Balanced Tires Give You a Smoother Ride

Maybe the biggest, or at least most noticeable, benefit of balancing your tires is that your car will ride smoother. When the weight on your tires goes out of whack, you may start to notice vibrations in your vehicle. These vibrations are particularly evident when you reach highway speeds (often above 50 miles per hour).

If you notice your steering wheel shaking when you’re on the highway, it’s a surefire sign you need to balance your tires. Balancing your tires cuts down or eliminates these vibrations entirely, giving you a ride that’s nice and smooth.

2. Balanced Tires Get Better Gas Mileage

Balancing your tires does a lot more than improve the quality of your ride. It can also improve your gas mileage. Your tires can’t drive evenly if they are not balanced. An uneven ride can make your tires wear down at different rates, reducing your overall gas mileage.

Just like how maintaining your tire pressure improves gas mileage, so does balancing your tires. By ensuring weight is evenly distributed across your tires, you can prevent wear that can reduce your vehicle’s fuel efficiency, saving you money in the long run.

3. Extend the Life of Your Tires

We just explained how unbalanced tires wear down unevenly. So, it should come as no surprise that uneven wear and tear can also reduce the life of your tires. When your tires are out-of-balance, the excessive vibrations and uneven tread wear can cause some tires to wear out faster.

4. Protect Your Vehicle’s Suspension

Unbalanced tires are bad for more than gas mileage and treads. It can also impact your vehicle’s suspension. Over time, the vibrations resulting from your out-balance-tires will keep getting worse.

These vibrations can ultimately impact your car’s suspension. While balancing your tires is usually a quick job costing less than $100, ignoring the problem can lead to much more expensive repairs down the line.

5. Enjoy a Safer Ride

The most important benefit of balancing your tires is that it improves the safety of your vehicle. When tires are unbalanced, they can develop dangerous bald spots and uneven tread wear. This can make it more difficult to control your vehicle’s steering, especially at high speeds. Regular preventative maintenance like tire balancing goes a long way to ensuring your vehicle is always in top shape.

When Do I Need to Balance My Tires?

The best thing to do when balancing your tires is to not wait until it’s too late. A good rule of thumb is to balance your tires every 5,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first. You can also have your tires balanced every time you change your oil or get a wheel alignment.

Aside from regular maintenance, we recommend you watch out for the following warning signs and follow this advice to have your tires balanced:

  • Steering wheel shakes at high speeds
  • Chassis is vibrating unusually
  • You’ve hit a big bump or experienced “curb service”
  • Bald spots and other signs wear appear unevenly
  • Lower gas mileage than usual

Find Fast and Easy Tire Balancing with Tread Connection

Is it time for you to balance your tires? Don’t worry about making time to go to the auto shop. Bring the auto shop to you! Contact the friendly tire professionals at Tread Connection today to meet you at your home or office to balance your tires and get you back on the road!

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