new automobile tires

[PaperDoll]

Anyone know anything about buying new car tires? The dealership said three of my four are shot. I did the penny test, and I most definitely agree.

I called the local Pep Boys, which offered to sell me a set of Hankooks for over $500 installed and balanced. I thought that was crazy, 'til the local Sears Auto Center said their BF Goodrich tires would run me more than $600!

I've also checked with a local Bridgestone/Firestone dealer, whose estimate was close to $800 for my sweet little car. :o

Since I have no relationships with local mechanics, do I have to suck it up and hand over my credit card? Or am I forgetting some very important alternative?

FYI: I'm leaning towards Sears, since the tires got very good reviews online and the service folks treated me kindly when my battery died on Christmas eve. But that doesn't make this any less painful.

 

[Flip Wilson]

As much as I don't like shopping at Wal-Mart, we got a pretty good deal on tires for my wife's minivan there last year. And I got tires for my truck at Sam's a couple of years ago. I checked all over town and they had the best price in both cases.

 

[Ellis Redding]

As much as I don't like shopping at Wal-Mart, we got a pretty good deal on tires for my wife's minivan there last year. And I got tires for my truck at Sam's a couple of years ago. I checked all over town and they had the best price in both cases.

Plus, at Wal-Mart, if you pay like an extra $10 they'll fix them and rotate them for life.

 

[Ace]

Shop for a bargain, but get good tires. You don't want to be too cheap on tires.

 

[qtlaw]

Try Costco.

Depending on your car's worth, if its a keeper for at least 3-4 more years, get some solid tires like Michelins. Check out the ratings at consumer reports.

 

[spnited]

I checked Costco when I last needed tires and discovered that by the time they add charges for everything else, their "discount" gets wiped out.

2 good quality but not top of the line Bridgestone's (matching the originals on the car) on sale at a Bridgestone/Firestone dealer ran me just under $300.

 

[JR]

Ace (and everybody), there is no such thing as "good tires." There are only tires with longer tread life. They are all built the same, and for the most part by the same three manufacturers: Goodyear, Bridgsestone and Michelin. More expensive tires mean you are only paying for advertising and tread warranty. That warranty won't make them last any longer. It will just cover them longer and probably isn't worth paying extra for.

I recommend NTB/Tire Kingdom or Goodyear Gemini. They have locations all over the country. If you blow a tire and you're five states away, their protection plans will cover you better. Make sure where ever you buy has road hazard coverage and lifetime rotation for free. That way you can rotate your tires almost as often as you change your oil and not pay for it -- this will extend their life. You shouldn't have to pay extra for packages like Ellis mentioned. That's profit taking, pure and simple.

What can I say, I grew up in Akron. This stuff is ingrained.

Wow. Just wow. :)

 

[Ace]

So I shouldn't spend $1,000 per tire? Dammit!

 

[qtlaw]

If you're really smart, you'll buy the tires from tirerack.com then have them shipped to your local tire shop (that you trust) and just pay for installation. I did this but had to deliver them to my house then schlepp them to the shop. Still got the tires I wanted and only paid for install.

 

[joe]

If you have one in the area, try American Tires or Tires USA or something like that. The last time I had to buy tires, they were $200 cheaper than anyplace else.

 

[CradleRobber]

Tires are expensive, PD. Just be glad you don't have to shell out for low-profiles. Or do you?

 

[MacDaddy]

Ace (and everybody), there is no such thing as "good tires." There are only tires with longer tread life. They are all built the same, and for the most part by the same three manufacturers: Goodyear, Bridgsestone and Michelin. More expensive tires mean you are only paying for advertising and tread warranty. That warranty won't make them last any longer. It will just cover them longer and probably isn't worth paying extra for.

While it's true there aren't as many actual tire manufacturers as people might think, the rest of that is bull****. Tires vary widely in quality, tread life, handling, comfort, traction (on dry pavement, on wet pavement, in snow), etc. The key is figuring out what's important to you and finding a tire that strikes that balance. We have three cars in our household and each has a very different type of tire than the others.

Reviews/testing at the Tire Rack is great for determining these kinds of things. For most people and most cars, an all-season tire from a reputable manufacturer with a good wear rating (or, even better, a treadwear warranty) is a good, solid choice. Michelins are great, but tend to be spendy. I've also had good luck with Yokohamas and Bridgestones as less-expensive but still quality alternatives.

 

[westcoastvol]

If you're really smart, you'll buy the tires from tirerack.com then have them shipped to your local tire shop (that you trust) and just pay for installation. I did this but had to deliver them to my house then schlepp them to the shop. Still got the tires I wanted and only paid for install.

Absolutely right! I can't agree more.

tirerack.com lets you punch in your car's year, make and model. Of course, they show you what they have (which is generally less expensive than everyone else).

But here's the difference: check out their message boards about each tire. Every post lists what car people drove the particular tire with. Even if you don't order tires from tirerack and get them locally, you can save yourself a ****load of money and hassles by running through the boards first to get a consensus on what works best for your car, as well as what to avoid.

 

[micropolitan guy]

If you lived in Northern Jersey, I'd say go to Big Ed's Tire Center and he'll fix you up.

If you lived in my neck of the woods, I'd send you to this guy:

Otherwise, listen to the other experts on this thread. And be prepared to pay $500-$600, easy.

 

[fmrsped]

Conrad's had a buy 3, get 1 deal, I think I paid $350 or so for BFGoodrich. Not bad, IMO. And they too rotate them for life.

 

[andyouare?]

Can I threadjack to ask another car-related maintenance question? Yes? Thanks.

There is an increasing squeal coming from underneath my car. It used to only happen when I was idling. Now, it happens until I get past 30 mph. It's a tinny, high-pitched sound.

My usual solution to these type of problems is to turn the volume up on my radio so I can't hear the sound anymore, but that's not working.

Any thoughts before I go somewhere and they tell me it's the radiatorfluxcapapcitor intake valve and it'll cost me $25,000 to fix?

Thanks in advance. I love you.

 

[JR]

My usual solution to these type of problems is to turn the volume up on my radio so I can't hear the sound anymore, but that's not working.

Wow.

I have the identical philosophy in dealing with my car.

 

[andyouare?]

My usual solution to these type of problems is to turn the volume up on my radio so I can't hear the sound anymore, but that's not working.

Wow.

I have the identical philosophy in dealing with my car.

Maybe I just need to buy bigger, louder speakers. Hmmm


EDIT: I've gotten a couple of helpful PMs. Thank you gentlemen (or ladies).

 

[Sam Mills 51]

While it's true there aren't as many actual tire manufacturers as people might think, the rest of that is bull****. Tires vary widely in quality, tread life, handling, comfort, traction (on dry pavement, on wet pavement, in snow), etc. The key is figuring out what's important to you and finding a tire that strikes that balance. We have three cars in our household and each has a very different type of tire than the others.

Obviously there are differences. You probably don't want an H- or V-rated tire for a Honda Civic. Or an S-rated tire for a Ferrari. You're also not going to want a tire with an 85 load rating when a 95 is needed. Or vice versa.

But a tire that's a 185/60R14 made by one manufacturer will be basically identical in quality to one made by another. They're using the same rubber and the same technology to make them. The difference in prices comes from marketing and gimmicks.

True, but so much depends on the car. Is it a light coupe? Sporty car?

With some, you can't cheap out on the tires. Thing is, I found some BFGoodrich tires for mine that have better grip and are a little less expensive than the Michelins. The BFGs may wear slightly faster, but still probably a better bang for the buck.

I've usually gone with Firestone, but I've been lucky in that the locations in my current area and my hometown have both done good work. It almost goes without saying that this varies by location.

The tire rack suggestion is outstanding IF you're willing to do the research.

Good luck, PD.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

Can I threadjack to ask another car-related maintenance question? Yes? Thanks.

There is an increasing squeal coming from underneath my car. It used to only happen when I was idling. Now, it happens until I get past 30 mph. It's a tinny, high-pitched sound.

My usual solution to these type of problems is to turn the volume up on my radio so I can't hear the sound anymore, but that's not working.

Any thoughts before I go somewhere and they tell me it's the radiatorfluxcapapcitor intake valve and it'll cost me $25,000 to fix?

Thanks in advance. I love you.

Sounds like a fan/serpentine belt. If it is, get a new one installed and adjusted before it snaps and leaves you on the side of the road.