How to Buy Tires

• Step 1

  Determine the right size tires for your vehicle. You can find these specifications in the owner's manual of your vehicle, on the sidewall of the original factory tires on your vehicle or by asking a tire professional to look up your vehicle and its recommended tire. For example; a tire size of 215/65/15 means the tires are 215 mm in width from sidewall to sidewall, with a 65% height to width ratio and go on a 15-inch wheel. Simply knowing the wheel size on your car will help tremendously in narrowing down your tire choices.
  

  The sidewall of a tire contains a lot of important information.

• Step 2

  Take note of your vehicle type, so you can choose the right category of tire. Passenger car tire codes begin with a P, while light truck and SUV tire codes begin with a LT. In the example, if the tire size described was for a passenger car, it would read P215/65/15.

• Step 3

  Note the type of driving conditions that you most often face as well as the most extreme conditions that you encounter each year. This includes the weather as well as how aggressive your speeds and handling will be. If you need a tire that handles mud and snow, look for a tire code that includes the letters M+S. Select tires with appropriate tread patterns for the conditions. For example; an SUV that drives off road frequently would need a larger and more aggressive tread than a car that is used only on city streets.

• Step 4

  Develop a short list of tires to consider based on the criteria you developed earlier. Compare the reported durability of these tires. Tires are described as 20,000 or 30,000 mile tires, or some other mileage designation. The larger the number, the longer the tire will last according to the manufacturer claims.

• Step 5

  Shop for the best prices at local tire shops. Evaluate the prices of the tires on your list versus their durability and select the one that you feel offers you the best value. Enjoy the ride!

• 2
• Write a reminder to rotate your new tires on the vinyl decal that you get for your windshield when you change your oil.
• Write a reminder to rotate your new tires on the vinyl decal that you get for your windshield when you change your oil.
• Don't forget to account for the mounting, balancing and valve stem fees on the new tires as well as disposal fees for the old tires in your budget.
• Don't forget to account for the mounting, balancing and valve stem fees on the new tires as well as disposal fees for the old tires in your budget.

References & Resources

• Which Tires Best Match My Driving Conditions?
• Tire Specifications