When you think about it, nothing gives your car a fresh look like a new set of rims. Not even a new coat of paint can do the trick. But the challenge is always, how do you go about finding custom wheels and tires and ensure that they are the right fit? There are so many things that could go wrong in tire buying. Unfortunately, many people assume that buying new or used tires for sale only require you to walk into a tire shop and walk out with a set of custom wheels. It is not that easy. If it were, then tire repair and replacement would not be part of the most crucial car maintenance activities you have to keep track of. If you are looking for new tires and rims for your car, the good news are that most tire sales centers have the basic information that can guide you in selecting the right wheels. This information is mostly related to the tire type, size and many other factors that are vital in tire buying. Unfortunately, not every tire seller has knowledge of tire buying. Since you cannot automatically tell if the seller is knowledgeable of tire and rims, having some knowledge of tire types, sizes and an overall basic guide of buying of wheels and tires will give you an edge on how not to buy the wrong tires. Below are key factors to consider when buying tires and rims for your car.
Where the Rubber Meets the Road Matters
Have you ever taken some time to ask yourself what the numbers and letters on the side of your tires mean? Well, those things mean very important stuff. Take for example something like 215/55R16 93H. This is what you will find on the side of the smallest tire model. The first three numbers on the side of the tire mean that the cross-sectional width of the tire is 215 millimeters. 55 indicates the aspect ratio-in other words, the sidewall measures 55% of the cross-sectional width. The R means the radial construction while 16 indicates the internal diameter of the tire. 93 which is the last number on that series is the load index or in other words, the total amount of weight that the tire can support. Lastly, there is H. This is the speed rating which determines the mph that is ideal for that specific tire. You can’t buy new tires and rims successfully without a careful analysis of the size. When we talk size, it is more than just the diameter of your wheels and rims. Of course the size of the tires should complement the overall vehicle design. Picture someone driving a small vehicle with oversize tires and you will see what we are talking about.
Don’t Cheap Out
Don’t expect to buy tires cheaply. It is very tempting to want to buy a new set of tires and rims at unrealistically low prices. However, ask yourself why the tires are cheap in the first place before making the purchase. A new set of rims might be having a price tag of around $400. Seems cheap right? When you come across such an offer, be on the lookout for the general construction of the rims. It could be a broken, bent or cracked rim. Any defect to the rim is bad for your vehicle regardless of how tempting the cost might appear. What people don’t know is that there is a very thin line between a bargain and a burst. With this in mind, always remember that you get what you pay for. The used tire market can also be brutal for new buyers. If you are not sure how to buy used tires and rims, just go for new tires. Of course the used tire and rims market is a place where you can get extremely enticing bargains. On the downside, this is also the place where someone might be attempting to dump low-quality or stolen car parts. Even when you decide to go for used tires, do a thorough inspection for punctures, patches, bends on the rims and excessive wear and tear.