Step one before buying new tires for a vehicle would be to consult the owner’s manual with the vehicle for which the tires are intended. Specific tire information is included in the owner’s manual for every vehicle manufactured in the world. This information is essential when buying tires of any sort, car tires, truck tires, motorcycle tires, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) tires, etc.
If the owner’s manual can’t be located, simply look at the tires presently on the vehicle. Note down all the relevant information that is stamped into the tires themselves. Chances are if the tires have been on the vehicle for thousands of trouble-free miles, they are the exact size and type of new tires needed.
In any case, the purchase of new auto tires is predicated on a number of factors. First, determine the way the vehicle is ordinarily driven. A lot of high speed driving means buying tires with a higher speed rating. As well, weather and road conditions, especially snow, ice, and mud should also be considered when purchasing tires. A tire with deeply-grooved, chunky tread is a good snow, mud, and off-road tire, but will be noisy on the highway.
Load capacity is another factor in buying new tires. The load capacity of specific tires is usually noted on both the vehicle owner’s manual, and on the tire tag. The tire tag is a sticker located on the tread of all new tires.
In these days of more economical driving habits, several tire manufacturers now offer low-rolling-resistance tires that are alleged to save on fuel. These tires are, obviously a bit more expensive than regular tires. However, fuel savings are claimed to make up for the extra cost of the tires within a few months.
The grade of a tire is another consideration, with higher grade tires wearing better than lower grade. Generally, the higher the tire grade, the more the tires will cost. Since a grade is not stamped on a tire, or on a tire tag, research and price comparison is usually the best method to determine tire grade. Essentially, a new tire with a warranty of 40,000 miles (64,373.76 km) or better is a higher-grade tire. Many internet sites are sources of sound information on differing grades of auto tires.
One additional note, most new tires are sold with warranty coverage built into the tire price. Virtually all reputable auto repair experts warn against purchasing an extended warranty on new tires. Inexpensive as they may seem, extended warranties for new tires, while not exactly a scam, are, 98% of the time, simply an unjustified and unnecessary expense.