Buying tires online: find the best treads for your vehicle

Choosing the correct tires for your vehicle is one of the most important automotive decisions you will make. Tires that fit correctly will optimize your gas mileage and improve the smoothness and handling of your vehicle. The Internet makes it easy to find new tires to fit your car, with numerous vendors and online dealers displaying their wares in cyberspace.

Driving on worn tires or tires that aren’t suited for your driving conditions can put unnecessary wear-and-tear on your vehicle, or cause you to lose control during inclement weather. Remembering to check your tire pressure and occasionally rotate your tires can significantly extend the life of your tires.

At some point, all tires need to be replaced.

How to know when to replace your tires

A good way to know when it’s time to change your tires is to use the penny test. Stick a penny in your tire’s middle tread. If Abe Lincoln’s head disappears in the tread, then your tires are still good. If the head is still poking up, then it’s probably time for you to get new tires. There’s no golden rule for when to replace your tires, because all tires are different. People also drive differently, and in different conditions, and some people also take better care of their tires and their vehicles. Also, different sizes and types of tires wear down at different rates. That’s why measuring your remaining tire tread is the best way to know when it’s time to go tire shopping.

Trust us, the last thing you want is for a tire to go while merging into freeway traffic or ascending a steep hill during rush-hour. Best to sort things like this out ahead of time lest it become a costly mistake.

There are many places to go to look for tires. The Internet is a great place to find bargains on tires that would cost more at the local tire shop. Many online tire vendors also allow comment sections where customers can write short reviews about different sets of tires. These tire reviews aren't always helpful, but often you can find tidbits of information that might help you choose between one set of tires and another.

Used tire vendors also make for good places to find deals on high-quality tires. Most used tires have barely been used, or they sustained minor damage but have been completely repaired. Structurally, there is rarely a difference between a quality used tire and a brand new tire. It's a lot like buying a new or quality used car; in many cases, the only difference between the two is that the new car costs a lot more money.

Start your tire search online

If you’re in the market for new tires, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve pulled information from all over the Internet to show you what to look for as you’re shopping for new tires. We’ll walk you through the steps for buying tires for your truck, SUV or sedan. There are certain things you’ll look for when shopping for any kind of tire, such as tire width and seasonal models to account for harsh weather conditions.

Finding suitable tires that come with a satisfactory sticker price has never been easier.

Best time to buy tires

Always keep an eye on the amount of tread left on your tires. You should also be mindful of how your car handles when driving at various speeds, especially on highways and freeways. If your vehicle is constantly trying to drift to one side of the road, that might indicate the tires on one side of your vehicle have worn down faster than the tires on the other side. A rough, uneven ride may also indicate that your tires are in need of replacement.

You should replace your tires as soon as your treads fall below safe levels. Don’t put off replacing your tires until the middle of winter; instead, take care of it during the late summer or fall, before the weather has a chance to turn bad. Also, it's wise to buy new studded snow tires for next winter in spring. Sale prices are usually in effect and bargain hunters are always keeping an eye out.

If you have snow tires, remember to change them out with regular tires before winter fades into spring. Some states actually have (and enforce) laws against people who drive on dry roads with snow tires. That's because some snow tires can actually cause damage to dry pavement over time. Many people who have snow tires keep them on a separate set of wheels to make changing them out with regular tires extremely easy.

Are different tires really that different?

Shopping for new tires can seem overwhelming. Check out an online tire vendor or visit a tire store, and you'll find a vast assortment of rubbers of various sizes, widths and tread patterns. Ultimately, though, what are the noticable differences between all of these different tires? What will you notice -- or what won't you notice -- as you're driving down the street?

The answer to this question depends on the conditions you typically drive in, as well as the style of your driving. For example, drivers who follow the posted speed limits and live in areas with mild weather probably won't notice much of a difference between a set of all-season tires and a set of performance tires. On the other hand, someone in the same area who drives more aggressively is very likely to notice the improved handling provided by performance tires. Conversely, the improved grip on wet roads by all-season tires may be more notable in regions with lots of rain.

The difference between snow tires and non-snow tires is extremely noticeable in winter driving conditions; however, many people don't drive in places where conditions are bad enough to need snow tires. Similarly, the high-speed smoothness of performance tires is noticeable at speeds far beyond posted speed limits, but most people never drive that fast.

In the end, the subtle differences are more important than giant noticeable difference. All-season tires are great for most drivers. Performance tires are good for those who want a boost in handling. Winter tires are good for those who regularly drive in ice and snow. Different sizes and widths of tires allow you to buy your ideal rubbers for cars, trucks or SUVs.

One thing is certain: you'll definitely notice a difference when you replace an old set of tires with a new set of tires. You'll instantly notice improve handling and a smoother, quieter ride.

Understand your tire size

Before buying new tires, it helps to understand the size and ratings designations of various types of tires. These designations can be found on tire sidewalls. An example of a sidewall marking is: P225/50R16 15 92S M+S.

The first letter of the designation, in this case a “P,” signifies the tire’s use. Typically “P” designates passenger car tires and “LT” stands for light trucks.

Next, the three digit number joined to the letter – in this case “225” – is the width of the tire in millimeters. The second number, “50,” is the ratio of the tire’s height to width. Smaller ratio numbers equate to shorter sidewalls. Low-profile tires have low height-to-width ratios.

The next letter designates the tire’s radial construction. Almost all tires nowadays are designated by an “R” in this category. Classic cars may carry other designations. The two-digit number following this letter signifies the diameter of the wheel needed to mount the tire.

The final number may not appear on all tires. This is the load index number, which indicates the amount of weight a tire can support. Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to see what the minimum load index number for your tires should be.

The letter immediately following the load index number is the tire’s speed rating. The speed rating shows how fast your tire can safely travel while retaining its structural integrity. Performance tires generally have higher speed ratings. However, tires with even the lowest speed ratings can easily travel at the fastest posted speed limits in the United States.

The final figures you need to know are the “M+S” that appear on most tires in the United States. These letters stand for “mud and snow,” and you’ll find them on most radial tires, even if they’re not specifically snow tires.

Understanding the relationships between these markings will make you a smarter shopper when browsing through various models of tiers. It’s especially useful to know this information when shopping for tires online.

Tire Buying Tips

The best method for buying tires is to get several different quotes from several different stores and then pit them against one another. It sounds a little aggressive, but this method will really net you the best price for your tires. If you have the means, try and compare 4 or so different stores, and let them know that you are in the process of negotiating with other stores--this is how you get discounts. For instance, check out Costco, Discount Tires, Tiresavings, and a local tire store in your neighborhood. You'd be surprised at the kinds of deals you'd be able to make simply by shopping around!