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Buying Tires – Online or Local?

Posted on October 22, 2009 by John Thomas

Great tire deals are not difficult to find online with a wide assortment to choose from. There are sites that offer a lot of advantages for consumers but not all these are applicable to everyone as there are several disadvantages as well.

 

 

 Many tire dealers have set up shop on several websites. No matter what tire you are looking for, whether it is for a car, truck, motorcycle or bike, they have it all. Some sites offer a huge selection of all types while there are also some who specialize in a particular kind. With their virtual tire shop set up for you to see, you can browse thru several brand and designs until you find the one that fits your needs.  Online price tags for tires are also cheaper and lower compared to their local counterparts. But before you jump off buying the cheapest tire you can find off a search engine, think twice and look at the disadvantages.

 Virtual tire retailers do not have service centers that would mount and balance your new tires for you. Many local shops are not willing to mount tires that were not bought from their shops. Usually they offer it to you as a package. You get the service if you get the tires from them. If you live in a remote area, finding a local shop connected to your virtual tire retailer would be a pain. Also, depending on the shipping days, you’d receive your tire late. But with local shops, you buy the tire and have it mounted the same day. If it doesn’t work you can simply have it replaced. Another issue with tires bought online is the warranties. Local shops offer treadlife warranties and some even road hazard coverage in case of damage. You’d usually have to take the tires to authorized dealers to claim warranties.

 However, despite these disadvantages you could still purchase a tire online. Simply choose a tire retailer with plenty of connections with local shops that are willing to mount tires bought online. Browse thru their list for one nearest your home. Don’t forget to take into consideration additional fees. So before you click that order button, make sure to check all the details to get what you bargained for.

 

 

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How To Find The Best Deal From Tire Retailers

Posted on October 8, 2009 by John Thomas

You obviously want to get the best deals out from the tire retailers, that’s why you’re reading this article. But how do you know you get the best deal in the market? The best thing to do if you are looking for the best deals from tire retailers is to do a little bit of comparison shopping. I guess it’s the best advice of all to anyone looking for best deals out of anything.

 

To start you with, collect as many tire retailers’ advertisements you get from newspapers and magazines as you can. This could give you a bit of something to do your comparing and contrasting of tire deals to give you benchmark as to which deals are considered good. These advertisements can also serve as your future reference. It is also advisable that you collect proposed deals from at least three retailers, although the more the better. By this time, you should already have some tire retailers in mind where you will want to buy your tires.

 

Know your tire’s specifics, such as its size. Normally, size information is located on the sidewall of your tire just below the manufacturer’s name. This is usually written in a set of three numbers, which denotes the tire’s width and height as well as the size.

 

Determine the number of tires you want to purchase. Some retailers can give you discounts depending on the number of tires you will buy. It is advisable to replace two of your tires at a time, but having to replace all four at one time is beneficial. Ask the tire retailers for the prices of having two tires and of four tires to get a bit of comparison.

 

Start contacting your preferred tire retailers and verify their offered tire deals. Ask about additional charges if any, especially in the installation of their tires to your car. Take note of their offers and additional charges. You will need this information to make your decision as to which retailers you should be buying your tires. Once you are done comparing notes and already picked your preferred tire retailer, make your purchase.

 

When you do a bit of comparison shopping, you will be amazed as to how much you are able to save. You will also realize that getting low rates doesn’t only come from discount stores.

 

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Wheel Balance Problems and Symptoms

Posted on November 16, 2012 by John Thomas

Does your vehicle shake and shimmy while you are driving? Is the shimmy worse the faster you driver your car?  Does the steering wheel shake side to side (indicating the problem is with the FRONT tires) or can you feel the shimmy in your  seat (which could be due to a problem in the rear tires)?

Most of the time a wheel balance problem can be suspected if you can drive out of the shimmy. Example, you feel the shimmy at 40MPH but the shimmy goes away or gets much better at 60mph. This problem is usually due to a wheel balance problem and getting your tires rotated and balanced will cure the issue.

If the shimmy is constant at all speeds, then I would be suspect of a bad tire, bent wheel or some kind of worn out alignment part like a tie rod end.

Here is a short video I made of a common tire balance problem and it might be helpful for you to watch.

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