If there’s a driving vacation in your immediate future this summer, taking the time to check the condition of your car’s tires could save you an unneeded delay changing a flat alongside the road, to say nothing of ensuring the safety of you and your family.
So, if one or more of your tires are worn or damaged, what do you do? Here’s some advice on your buying options and the choices you should make.
“Dealers should ask about customers’ driving habits and how long they plan to keep a car,” said Ed Stahl, owner of Army Trail Goodyear in Carol Stream. “There’s a big difference in terms of their needs if the vehicle is used just to go to the train every day and back, versus one that will be used on trips and have a lot of miles put on it.”
When it comes to choice of tire, most dealers say up to half their customers buy replacements that are the same make and model as the original factory equipment.
“If people got the performance, handling and wear they expected out of their tires, they’ll often stay with them,” Stahl said.
Bob Fillmore, co-owner of Bartlett Tire Ltd. in Bartlett argues that replacing original factory tires sometimes isn’t the best idea and can cost owners as much as $20 to $30 more per tire than necessary.
“Minivans and sport utility vehicles are notorious for overkill when it comes to tires,” he says. “There are after-market tires out there I could outfit people with that would work better and cost them $20 less per tire.”
Don Peterson, who manages Firestone Tire and Auto in Hoffman Estates, believes that “most of the tires that come with cars from the factory are very high quality” and are often a necessary part of the vehicle’s handling package.
“I’d say about 50 to 60 percent of the people we see replace their tires with the same make and model,” Peterson says. “If they don’t, they’ll find that the handling characteristics will change completely. But there’s also what we call `accidental buyers’ out there, who bought a car without realizing it came with high performance tires, and when it’s time to replace them, they experience sticker shock.”
Tires are speed rated, which refers to the handling capacity they exhibit during three straight hours of use at a particular speed. Tires with a Z, V or H on their sidewall are the three highest speed-rated tires; the three lowest are Q, S and T.
“High-performance speed-rated tires dissipate heat better, and have an extra ply in the sidewall and a tighter belt construction,” says Stahl. “But they’re also softer for a better ride, and can wear out faster.”
Roger Frank, manager of National Tire and Battery in Bloomingdale, says speed ratings are deceptive because they are determined using a maximum speed with maximum load, both of which few cars ever achieve.
“High-speed tires do offer a good ride, but often don’t have the all-season characteristics people are looking for,” Frank says.
If you’re looking to replace tires, check your sidewall or ask your dealer for the speed rating; if you like the handling and steering response you’ve had, go with the same rated tire. Expect to pay about $150 per tire for the V- and Z-rated tires, and about $75 for the Q- and S-rated tires.
Your choice of retailers includes a dealer dedicated to a particular brand, a so-called “supermarket” dealership that sells a variety of brands and large retail stores that sell, in addition to tires, everything from clothes and VCRs to washing machines and bedroom furniture.
“The supermarket stores do offer some advantages,” Peterson says. “For one thing, you can compare a variety of tires across the board in the same size and speed rating and choose the best buy. I don’t think there’s really a bad tire made by anybody out there today, and I’ve sold tires over 30 years.”
“Stores like ours (National Tire and Battery) are part of a corporation, offering consistent service and prices,” Frank said. “There should be less variation than there might be between one independent dealer and the next.”
Stahl argues that too many choices leads to confusion on the part of the customer and says that most people, in the end, rely on the salesman or their own instincts.
“In my shop, a third of the people upgrade their tires, another third buy economy tires because they plan to trade the car, and the rest stay with what they have,” he said. “Every dealer naturally feels his tire is the best. In the end, price is usually the major determining factor.”
Frank offers one example of where customers could save money. “Goodyear sells its Regatta tire for about $75, but makes the Weatherhandler for Sears, which sells them for $58.99,” he says. “They’re virtually the same tire.”
Fillmore says the warranty and servicing on your tires after the sale should be factored into the decision about where to shop.
“Private label companies that make tires can sometimes present problems regarding those warranties and service,” he says. “One thing about brand names is you can usually get your warranty honored anywhere you go.”
When it comes to replacing tires, here are a few other tips you should know:
– The spare tire you carry with your car represents another replacement issue. Experts say that with more than 60 percent wear you’re better off buying two tires and putting them on the front of the car.
– Tire sales often peak before summer vacations and also in late fall as motorists prepare for winter driving. Retailers say price changes set by the factory throughout the year do not reflect these two periods of higher volume.
– Some dealers such as NTB offer 30-day ride guarantees. “Buy your tires in late fall, and you get a chance to try them during all weather conditions,” Frank said.
– Experts say road hazard insurance on new tires is well worth the money. Peterson said the cost at Firestone is a one-time $6 per tire fee for those that are worth less than $100 each and 10 percent of tires worth more than $100. You should receive free flat repairs and prorated value of your new tire if it’s damaged. NTB’s price is 10 percent of the new tire, regardless of price, with the first 20 percent of tire wear, according to the mileage the tires were supposed to be good for, worth a new tire if the replacement is damaged.
– Since car manufacturers order thousands of the same tire for a particular make and model, their tire costs are low. Expect to pay far more for the same replacement tires than when your car was new.
– New tires require balancing and new valve stems. Dealers surveyed said balancing costs were $7.50 to $10 per tire, and $2.50 to $4 for stems. Dealers may waive some or all of these costs to make a tire sale. Expect to pay a $1 used tire disposal fee as well.
