In 2017, over 730 people were killed in tire-related accidents. With proper education, time, and maintenance, it’s possible to keep yourself and everyone else on the road safe from tire-related car crashes.
It’s especially important to educate yourself when you’re buying new car wheels. So, what do you need to know?
We’re here to help you through the entire process. Read on for seven of the most important factors to consider when you’re buying car tires.
1. Manufacture Date
If your tread and everything is still in good condition, but the tires themselves are six years old, it’s time to replace them.
A big reason to check the manufacture date of your tires is that some places will stock tires that are past their prime. Those tend to lead to problems like blowouts and even difficulty stopping or breaking.
Even when a tire is stored, the rubber can soften and cause tires to deteriorate.
If you’re doubtful of your tire needing to be replaced, you can always ask a shop to inspect it for a second opinion.
2. Environmental Factors
Things like chemicals, fuel, oil, diesel, and even boric acid can have an effect on any tire’s overall lifespan. When tires come into contact with diesel, for instance, it’s possible for the sidewall to crack. Boric acid is also a popular way to get rid of pests that might pop up in your car, but it’s important to not allow the substance to touch your wheels.
Also, what terrain do you typically drive on?
If you find yourself off-road a lot, then buying tires meant for the interstate might not be the best choice for you. The same goes for buying off-road tires when you live in the middle of the city. Not only can buying the right tire for your needs help save you money, but it can also maximize the life of your tire.
When you have the proper wheel for your experiences, then you’re ensuring you get the most out of your purchase.
3. Check the Size
Checking things like tire width and wheel offset are crucial for simply ensuring that your tires stay on your car. To find your tire size, all you have to do is check the two digits after the letter “R” on the side of your tire for the diameter. The width also plays an important role here, and those can be found in the first three digits on the side of your tire.
The letter in front of those three digits is your vehicle type, so what you read is going to vary.
As your tire width increase, it’s going to cover more surface area on the road, meaning more grip on the pavement for your tire. Knowing the size you need is crucial so you can ensure you’re providing the car with the grip it needs.
4. Weather Conditions
What weather do you drive in? If you live in a climate that experiences cold winters and snow, then you’re going to need all-season tires. For better grip, you can turn to winter tires and you can use snow chains to stay safe on wet and icy roads.
No matter the weather, it’s still important to keep track of your tire pressure and to keep up with regular maintenance. When it’s cold, your car’s tire pressure gauges are going to be more accurate, so if something tells you to put air in your tires, you should trust it.
In the summer, the roads aren’t going to be as icy, but they might still be wet if you live in a rainy climate. The grip is still important here, so be sure to check your tires before the rainy season hits as well.
5. Materials Used
Whether you’re shopping for wheels online or in-store, knowing the materials used to manufacture your tires is important for knowing the quality of the product you’re using.
The main materials used for tire manufacturing are natural or synthetic rubbers. From there, the rubber is mixed with chemicals like silica to provide better fuel efficiency and grip, oil to soften the rubber, and even sulfur to give the rubber elasticity. Materials like carbon black help to increase the rubber’s strength, and the vulcanization accelerator helps to build crosslinks between rubber and sulfur.
For construction, materials usually vary between polyester, rayon, or steel are usually used to bring everything together.
6. Manufacturing Warranty
While the shop you visit might offer a warranty, the tire manufacturer might also offer their own. In both cases, they can be quite limited in what they will and won’t cover, so it’s important to read through everything before you make your final decision.
These warranties are also usually limited to one of coverage, but some may offer longer periods. It’s all going to depend on the brand and type of tire you’re buying.
7. Your Budget
Lastly, you want to make sure you’re buying car tires that fall within your budget.
Remember, if something is expensive, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be the best, while the cheapest option isn’t necessarily the worst. Often, you can find great options on either end, or you can look around at midrange options to see what they may have to offer you.
Ready to Start the Process of Buying New Car Wheels?
Now that we’ve gone over a few of the most important things to consider, it’s time for you to start the process of buying new car wheels. Whether it’s your first time buying tires or you’re just trying to learn a few new things, this guide is here to help you along the way.
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