How to Buy used Tires
When your budget does not allow you the luxury of purchasing new tires for your vehicle, the only other alternative is to look at a set ofused tires. Contrary to popular opinion, buying used tires will not damage the vehicle or compromise passenger safety, if you purchase a good set. The good news is that it is not difficult buying used tires which are in good condition, You just need to know how and what to look when making the purchase. Among the items that you should examine when choosing used tires include the general condition, treads and, of course, the cost for the set.
Here is a step by step guide that will help in making your purchase of used tires an easy one:-
1) Before even going out to the store, you need to know what tires you have to purchase. This refers mainly to thesizewhich can be found on the tire itself or in the car manual. Usually car will also have a legend on the side of the door panel for easy reference. Always go for the recommended size unless you have changed the rims of the vehicle. In this case, you need to have tires that will fit the new rims.
2) The first thing you need to check in the used tires is the tread condition. There are two things here that need to be taken into consideration: tread depth and uneven tire wear. For the first item, take a coin and place it between the tread. The tread should at least come up to the point where you have the digits marking the value of the coin. If it doesn’t measure up, then the tire is already to worn to be used for long. In order to check for evenness of the tread, run your hand along the tire and feel for dips and rises. Uneven tire wear will make the tire look flatter on one side compared to the other. Using tires with uneven wear will affect the wheel alignment of the car.
3) Check inside the tires for signs of repairs done like patches or plugs. If the tire has extensive repair work done on it, it is not advisable to purchase it.
4) Look at the side walls of the tire to make sure that you are getting the tire that you are looking for, especially the right size of tires.
5) If possible, check for the mileage on the tires. This information can only be gleaned from the seller. That is why you need to go to a reputable shop for the used tires.
Nowadays, many retailers and garages keep a wide selection of high quality used tires in their shops. Therefore, take your time to inspect the goods properly before making the purchase.
