How to Shop for New Car Tires Correctly

Buying a new pair of shoes is often seen as a great thing. They’re stylish and the perfect accessory for any outfit. Buying car tires is similar, but for your car. And it’s a lot less fun. Tires are your (hopefully) only point of contact with the road and obviously an important part of your vehicle’s function. Typically, when it comes time to shop for new car tires your auto service mechanic or the dealership you visit can shop for you. But, if you’re trying to be more budget-conscious or prefer a particular model of tire, you’re going to need to know how to shop the right way.

Lucky for you, Toyota of Clermont is here with some essential tips to help you find the right car tires. Check it out!

Here’s How You Can Find the Right Car Tires for Your Ride

Without a little know-how, it can be tricky to find the right tires that fit your vehicle. It’s not impossible to get a great set of car tires for a great price and in a convenient way. Here are a few things to remember when shopping:

Start by Checking if You Even Need New Tires

Clermont car tires wear out over time, but it’s possible that yours aren’t in as bad of condition as you think. Before you open a webpage or call an auto parts store, inspect your current tires. Use a quarter to assess the tread depth and see if it’s at an acceptable place. You should also see how your tires feel when you drive and if there are any obvious blemishes on the sidewall. Issues that might seem related to your tires might actually be an issue with a different auto part.

What’s the Age of Your Car Tires?

It might be hard to remember exactly when you last forked over your cash for tires (it might not be that hard), but remembering helps. Your Clermont tires, even if they haven’t been used much, are prone to deteriorating as they age. After about 5 years on your car, your tires are likely degrading, but they might not need to be replaced yet. Beyond 5 years, you should definitely consider replacing your car tires soon.

Know Your Measurements When Shopping

Before you start shopping for car tires, make sure you know what seasonality or style you need for your vehicle. All-season, winter, and summer tires are common options and they each provide unique benefits for your driving experience.

You should also be conscious of the tire size to fit your wheels. Luckily, the measurements are labeled on every tire you’ll ever use. You just need to know how to read it and shop accordingly. The measurements for your Clermont car tires will be listed like this: 255/35R18. The first number, “255,” denotes the width of the tire (in mm). “35” denotes the aspect ratio (or height to width), “R” means radial, and the “18” denotes the wheel diameter in inches. Check your current Clermont car tires for these measurements and make sure the new tires match those measurements.

Research Sellers and Options

There are a number of ways you can go about shopping for new tires. Each is beneficial and has several drawbacks attached.

• Online: Shopping online is an excellent way to see a variety of options quickly. You can likely get the best price this way, order quickly, and receive them with convenient shipping. But, after your Clermont car tires arrive you’ll need to find a place where they can be installed.
• Dedicated Tire Store: Dedicated car stores are great because they sell one thing, tires. They’ll have a variety of options and a specialist can help you find the right size without any guesswork or effort on your part. These tires might be more expensive than what you could find online, but you’ll also have a place to install them. The cost is often bundled with the price of the tire.
• Car Dealership: A dealership with an auto parts store (much like Toyota of Clermont) will have tires to fit your vehicle. But, it’s possible they’ll only carry tires commonly used with a particular make of car. These tires might be more expensive, but they’re sized correctly and installing them can be easily taken care of.

Need help shopping for new car tires? Visit Toyota of Clermont’s auto parts store today! You can find us at 16851 State Road 50 seven days a week.

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