Car maintenance question

http://www.cartalk.com/content/googleresults.html?cx=partner-pub-7133054861616181%3Ahi3ycasbap0&cof=FORID%3A10&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=alignment#1217

 

you should have your tires balanced first. if your steering wheel is shaking, it's most likely that.

 

Turns out I need four new tires before they'll even do the alignment. Still have the original tires on my car six years, 68,000 miles later, so I guess it was about due. Just going to have to deal with the alignment for a while until I get the new tires, I guess. FML.

 

I would see if you can get the alignment thrown in for buying the tires there.

 

They wanted $600 plus tax. No way.

I'll probably check out a few junkyards and see if I can get some good tires, if not, I'll hit one of the area stores that runs a buy three tires, get the fourth free promotion.

 

Back when I was young and a sportswriter, I recalling dreaming of the day that getting new car tires wouldn't cause a financial crisis. And now that I'm not young (and not a sportswriter), needing new tires doesn't cause a financial crisis. On the other hand, I have a head full of white hair and my back hurts all the time.

In my neck of the woods you can get good deals on used tires at predominantly Mexican neighborhoods/locations. We're not talking new, or even close to it, but you can get a serviceable set that'll last about a year for approx. $100.

 

At the end of 2009, we got Fuzion tires (an offshoot of Bridgestone) put on our Malibu for about $300, alignment included. I believe our 'Bu runs on 205/16 wheels. We went to a local tire place where a friend works. Other places were charging $400+ for brands I've never heard of, no alignment included. We've had no problems with the tires.
I would say call around for prices and also see who friends/family/co-workers recommend. And yes, it's time for new tires if you have 68K on the originals.

 

Buy three Firestone Firehawk tires and get the fourth free ... offer good for a couple more days:

http://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/tire_promotion/show_tire_promotion.jsp?id=10000380

And considering looking into the alignment in the process ... no point in ruining another set of tires because of misaligned wheels, too much positive/negative camber issue or excessive toe-in or maybe even toe-out.

 

Yeah, once I get the new set, I'm going to get the alignment done immediately. Don't want to wear down a new set right away. Thanks for the link.

 

do you ever rotate your tires? that'll keep life in them.