Buying tires involves more than just going out and picking the first thing you see. It’s actually quite involved as I found out recently. From getting the right size to picking the tread to finding a good price, buying tires requires some forethought to make sure you get the right tires for your vehicle, your area of the world, and your driving conditions.
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Bald Tires are Not Safe
My tires have been bald for quite some time. Last Christmas, right before we left for Miami and a winter cruise, the regular service person I deal with warned me I needed new tires.
Where to Start?
Frankly, I had no real idea where to start so I began researching quickly. I looked on line and I checked various brands and the reputation of each and I talked to my friends about what tires they had and why. My good friend Margarita Ibbott of DownshiftingPro.com spoke highly of her Sailun Tires.
Then of course I asked Facebook too. I got a dozen different opinions there. It was actually quite overwhelming and so was the cost quoted to me at the service centre I trust to handle my repairs and maintenance.
Ask Friends and Family
I filtered through all of the input from friends and family and I asked my husband for his thoughts on what was needed for the family van too. I narrowed it down a bit by checking my current tires to see the size needed.
Two brands kept popping up and Sailun Tires was one of the brands. I heard good things from friends who had them and I knew of their on line reputation.
Sailun was PTPA tested and approved and the brand had a great reputation on line with the Moms and Dads I know. I also knew that Sailun was on social media interacting regularly with their customers and frankly, I really like that.
How Do I Choose?
My purchasing choices are sometimes impacting by things like that. Does a brand have an on line presence? How do they use social media? Are they on twitter? Instagram? That all matters to me because it shows that a brand is smart and that they have a personality on social media, and also it shows me that they are not afraid to interact with their customers. It was a bit of work to find the tires I needed to keep my van on the road safely carrying my family back and forth every day, but in the end there’s a lot riding on tires so it’s an important purchase and I needed to be informed. Here’s what I discovered.
Buying Tires Made Easy
Buying tires is never really easy. But it can be easier. There are a few things to remember when picking out tires that can help you avoid needless headache and hassle.
Start by Checking Your Current Tires
One of the easiest ways to take all the mystery and guess work out of purchasing new tires is checking to see what you already have. Make note of your vehicle’s make and model and you can start searching web sites for replacements.
Check Your Owner’s Manual
Your vehicle’s owner’s manual will come with recommendations on the type of tire that you should get. Your owner’s manual will tell you the type and rating of tire that will fit your vehicle best and provide the best gas mileage and wear, so be sure to check it before buying tires.
Get the Right Tire for the Job
You can find all-terrain treads, treads made for snowy conditions, treads made for wet driving, and more. When you’re buying tires, pick the right ones for your driving needs. Give some thought to where you are driving and what the season is. Winter Tires are completely different than all season tires.
Shop Around
After you’ve found the tire that’s right for your vehicle, don’t just go out and get the tires from the first place you find. There can be significant variations in pricing from store to store, and from web site to web site too. You can sometimes find great deals on tires at discount club stores. Many stores these days also offer price matching. Shop around and you’ll get the best deal.
Road Trips are Not Negotiable
With so many road trips happening all summer long, it’s important to me that I can trust the tires that I am using to transport my family back and forth to the beach, to Ontario Parks and even to the airport.
As a travel blogger and writer, sometimes I get very short notice and I am expected to be at the airport for a trip quickly. That can be hairy enough packing and arranging everything personally and professionally before I head down the highway to the airport. Clearly, I don’t need to add worry about whether my tires will get me there or not.
Buying Tires Isn’t Brain Surgery, but it Requires Time and Patience
If you’re buying tires, these tips can help you shave some time off of your search. Always begin by checking the manual and the tires that you already have on your vehicle. After that you should have no problem buying new tires that fit your vehicle.
This is part one of a two part series on buying tires. Stay tuned for the second part next week about what I chose for our family minivan and why. I received a set of Sailun Tires for consideration in this series. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful.