A Complete Guide to Tire Replacement – What You Need to Know

When people think of bringing their car to an auto shop, it may be because of oil changes, engine maintenance, or brake troubles. And while these are all important things to have maintained, often tires are forgotten about. But tires are extremely important and can even reveal some potential issues with your vehicle.

So, our team at Fred’s Auto Repair wants to help by providing this total guide to everything you need to know about tire replacement, including what to look for, when they may need replacement and even some different options of what you can buy.

When Is Tire Replacement Needed?

For the most part, there are two things that will determine when you need replacement.

• Wear & Tear

Just like all things, tires will begin to wear as you drive. No matter how well or what surface you drive upon, there will be signs of tire wear. If you notice that there is uneven wear on your tire (it should be even) this could be an indication of a tire pressure or alignment issue. Such things as spinning out, aside from being dangerous, will speed up the wearing process.

• How Long Have You Had Them?

Aging of tires is inevitable and such things as where you live (environment) and how you store your tires can cause them to change. Keep in mind if you are a heavy driver you may need to replace them sooner as opposed to someone who barely drives their car. Being able to “read” your tires is another great way to have an idea about when to replace them. All tires have been marked with the week and year that they were made.

Be sure to get an auto technician to inspect your tires as they can update you on how they are looking. Obviously, if you notice any cracks or if they don’t pass the penny test, call a repair shop immediately.

Do I Need to Replace My Tires?

Knowing the signs and reasons for wear and tear is important, but many people often ask us if they really need to replace their tires, or if they can drive them until they wear all the way down. As mentioned, tires are one of the most important components of your vehicle and extremely important for your safety (and the safety of others).

Such things as tire blowouts, the inability for your car to grip the road correctly, and even breaking response can all be caused by tires that should have been replaced. Tire maintenance can also indicate if there is a deeper issue with your car like balance or alignment problems.

Safety is the biggest reason to have your tires maintained and replaced. Failure to do so can have potentially fatal consequences on the road.

Things That Can Damage Tires

Be sure to consult your owner’s manual, but most tires are rated to last between 30,000 to 50,000 miles, depending on the make. That’s under ideal conditions. There are many things that can reduce your tread life. As stated above, lack of normal maintenance can cause you to miss certain indicators. Using the wrong tire for the wrong season can also cause damage – i.e. using winter tires year-round. Driving on the highway or at high speeds over a long period can also cause your tires to deteriorate faster. Avoiding quick acceleration and hard braking can extend the life of your tires.

Choosing New Tires

If you determined that you need new tires for your car, you now need to know what type of tires you need. Things like your normal driving habits, the weather, where you live, and/or will be driving, and your normal driving conditions will all come into play.

Some of the different types of tires include:

• Highway Tires

Highway tires are built for cars and trucks and are designed for driving on normal roads (paved roadways). Since they are built for highways, you will get a nice smooth drive, awesome mileage, and long-lasting tires.

• Sport Tires

Sport tires are normally wider and offer amazing handling and a quiet drive for trucks and SUVs. With these, you get both style and performance.

• All-Season Tires

A popular choice for many drivers, all-season tires give you solid driving and handling performance over a wide range of weather conditions, including wet roads and even some snow.

• Snow Tires

These, as the name indicates, are designed for winter and snow driving conditions. They adapt to freezing temperature and provide maximum drivability and traction for winter roads.

• Summer Tires

While these are not suitable for cold weather driving, they provide great wet and dry handling and overall performance. Often, they will be swapped out for winter tires during the warm and summer months.

Where Should I Go for New Tires?

Always be sure that you go to a certified and experienced auto shop for advice and tire replacement. Try to find reviews or testimonials that highlight the quality you are looking for. Also, try to find a shop that can cover a wide variety of auto repair and services. This way you can ensure that not only your tires but your entire car is running properly.

Get Tire Replacement & More at Fred’s Auto Repair

At Fred’s Auto Repair, since 1974, we’ve prided ourselves on being able to provide the very best in auto services, repairs, and solutions. Our team of ASE certified technicians can help you decide which tires are best for your needs, and we’ll walk you through the entire tire replacement process.

To learn more about our auto repair services like brakes, oil changes, tire replacements, and much more, please call us today at (914) 762-1131.