Time to find new tires for your vehicle? It can seem like a difficult process. After all, you’ve got to determine the correct size, type, brand, and then locate a nearby tire shop that you can trust. However, by breaking down each step, finding the right tires and tire shop can be quite simple. So, from how to locate the tire size your vehicle requires to brands, tire types, and available add-ons, here are all the steps you need to follow to find the right tires for your driving habits.
#1. Determine The Correct Tire Size
The first thing you’ll want to take care of when trying to find the right tires for your vehicle is to determine what size tires your vehicle requires. Thankfully, there are several ways to verify this information. The tire size your vehicle requires can typically be found by opening the driver’s side door and locating the tire information sticker, which contains numerous tire specs that can be very useful during your search. However, you can also check the manual that came with your vehicle and gather all of the same information. If you prefer to find these details online, a visit to the website of your local tire shop is usually very helpful. They may even allow you to find the recommended tire size simply by entering your vehicle make, year, and model. From there you may even be shown recommended tire types, which will help you complete the next step in your tire search.
#2. Think About Weather & Road Conditions
Now that you know the right tire size for your vehicle, you’ll want to carefully consider the type of tire that will best suit your driving habits and conditions. Are you looking for a tire that will function well during numerous weather conditions throughout the year? Or are you looking for a more specialized type of tire? When choosing the right tires at your local tire shop, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from including all-season tires, snow tires, performance tires, and even tires designed specifically for large SUVs and trucks. Before determining the type of tire you want, it’s a good idea to make note of your everyday driving habits. Think about whether you frequent city streets, highways, or tough terrains more often, and consider which weather conditions have proven most difficult for your vehicle. If you’re still not sure which type of tire is best for your needs, discussing these factors with your local tire shop can be extremely helpful.
#3. Compare Brands, Prices, and Options
If you’ve got your tire size and type down, it’s time to pick the tire brand you’ll be investing in. Your local tire shop is likely to carry just about every major tire brand you can think of, so you’ll have a wide selection to choose from. For example, a trustworthy tire shop should have brands like:
- Michelin
- BF Goodrich
- Bridgestone
- Goodyear
- Continental
- Dunlop
- Firestone
- Yokohama
However, for many drivers, this step in the process often comes down to pricing and incentives. A tire shop near you is likely to be offering numerous incentives on the brands they carry and should have these deals clearly posted on their website. Before you get settled on a brand, be sure to visit the website of your local tire shop, browse their available brands, and check out their pricing and specials. To learn more about each brand, give your local tire center a call and discuss your options. Based on your needs and vehicle, the technicians you speak to will have a clear idea of what type of tires will work for you.
#4. Schedule a Visit with Your Local Tire Shop
Once you’ve found the perfect tires for your vehicle, you’ll want to ensure that they are installed properly. This means giving your local tire shop a call and scheduling a time for them to install your new tires and take care of any additional needs. Your local tire shop may offer a convenient online platform where you can easily schedule your appointment right from their website, as well as get an idea of how long the service will take. You’ll want to choose a tire center near you that offers convenient evening and weekend hours so that you won’t have to worry about rearranging your busy schedule. With a helpful and reputable local tire shop, you’ll probably be able to view their next available appointments, view wait times, and schedule your appointment in just minutes. However, if you’d rather give them a call or drop-in, these are certainly available options as well.
#5. Add-Ons, Services, and More
When shopping for the right tires for your vehicle, you may be offered additional incentives, options, or services. For example, a reputable tire center may offer special coverage on select tires which includes complimentary repair or replacement of your tires in the event that they are damaged. You may also want to ask about a low price guarantee or something similar to ensure that you are receiving the best possible price on your new tires. Alignments, tire rotations, tire inspections, and other services may also be offered by your local tire shop, which are a great idea to keep in mind as regular maintenance going forward. If the tire center you choose also offers other services like oil changes, battery and wiper blade replacement, and etc., you may also want to see if you can take care of some of these services while your tires are being installed. To learn more about the services offered by a tire shop near you, be sure to visit their website, give them a call, or stop by in-person.
Choose The Right Tires and The Right Tire Shop!
Of course, even if you’ve chosen the perfect tires for your vehicle, it’s still important to choose the right tire center to complete the installation of your tires. Poorly installed tires can lead to additional complications, including many that are not typically covered by most warranties. To avoid these situations and the costs that come with them, you’ll want to choose a reputable tire shop near you with glowing reviews and a helpful staff. When looking for a tire shop you can trust, search for online reviews, check that they have an extensive inventory, and verify that they are properly certified to carry out the tire services that you require. Tire shops that offer regular specials and incentives, as well as tire coverage options are likely an excellent option. However, you’ll also want to check for an extensive inventory of major brands and competitive pricing. A major plus when searching for a tire shop is a low price guarantee, which will ensure that you’ll always pay the lowest price possible for your tires.
So, when it’s time to search for new tires for your vehicle, carefully follow the above steps and find a local tire shop that you can trust. To help speed up the process, it’s always a good idea to ask friends, family, and coworkers about their experience with tire shops and check out their suggestions. However, no matter what tire shop you consider, you’ll still want to conduct as much online research as you can before reaching a final decision. A reputable dealership may also be able to give you valuable advice on tire shops in the area, and may even have their own tire department.
