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How to Buy

With so many brands and sizes of tires to choose from, it can be overwhelming deciding what is best for you and your vehicle. We have put together some things to note when buying your next set of tires.

 

SIZE & LOAD CAPACITY

Your vehicle was designed to use a specific tire size in order to support the weight of the car including passengers and cargo. Replacement tires should match the same size as your original tires. The size of the tire determines the amount of air allowed and its maximum inflation pressure allowed. These factors determine the tires ability to carry a load and the overall life of the tire.

TREAD TYPE

The area that you live in and the kind of weather and terrain you drive in as well as loads carried and personal driving habits generally determine which tread type is best for you

SPEED RATING

The main benefit of a higher speed rating is improved handling and stopping.  Speed rating also affects how quickly a tire will wear and a tires mileage warranty.  It also greatly affects the ride quality for the driver.

STYLING

Style is a personal preference and availability depends on tire size, speed rating, and vehicle. Popular styles include white sidewall, raised white or colored lettering, and black, Black Serrated, Black sculptured letters on the sidewall.

BRAND & QUALITY

There are many different brands to choose from.  The major brands are household names because they are highly advertised. But just because a brand isn't well-known, doesn't mean the tire isn't as good.  Every brand has a good, better and best option.  Each step up improves some option such as mileage, braking, traction, and ride.

DRIVING NEEDS

Tire life is important to every driver. Keep in mind your personal driving habits to determine what is best for you.  Brand names are not necessarily an assurance of quality, check with consumer publications and tire professionals. Low cost can either mean lowest initial cost or lowest cost per mile, but in either case, the tire you are purchasing should at least meet the minimum that is acceptable to you for your driving needs.

Tire Shop FAQs

Which preventative maintenance tire services are the most important?

They all are! This is why Martin Tire Company provides multiple services to keep your tires in good condition for as long as possible. Rotating, balancing, and aligning tires all have specific purposes, along with inspecting the tread wear and maintaining proper air pressure. Neglecting any of these can damage your tires and cut short their expected life.

What does preventative maintenance mean?

It’s like your yearly physical with your doctor. The purpose is to take a close look at all the systems and make sure they are working properly. If they aren’t, they can be corrected before a serious issue or failure happens.

Specifically, Martin Tire Company’s preventative maintenance packages include these services:

  • Balancing
  • Rotation
  • Wheel alignment
  • Inspecting tires for wear
  • Checking air pressure

What does tire load capacity mean?

Load capacity is the amount of weight your tires can safely support. The amount of air a tire can hold determines the amount of weight it can carry. To get a higher load capacity, a tire needs to hold more air and be strong enough to hold more air volume and pressure. Your owner’s manual will provide the tire load ratings for your vehicle, so check there first to ensure the right capacity.

What is standard air pressure for a tire?

An average range for all tires is between 30 and 35 pounds per square inch, or PSI. But it’s more important to know if this is the correct PSI for your car, which is set by the manufacturer. This is found in your owner’s manual or posted inside the driver’s side door.

This is important because tires that are not properly inflated can suffer serious consequences. You may feel your steering wheel shake or vibrate during driving. Improper inflation can also cause your tires to get out of alignment, which only makes the vibration worse.

Overinflated tires can become deformed with the excessive air pressure. They may not react to potholes or other road hazards properly, or the ride can become harsh and noisy.

It’s necessary to check the air pressure in your tires frequently. Get a good tire gauge and check them about once a month—ask the specialists in our tire shop if you need help! Improper tire pressure can lead to blow-outs on the highway.

What is TPMS?

The Tire Pressure Monitoring System, or TPMS, alerts a driver when the tire pressure is low. A dashboard indicator will light up, so you are alerted to check the air pressure. This system is now standard equipment on most cars manufactured after 2006 in order to prevent unnecessary tire wear. Don’t ignore this light when it comes on!

Do I have to replace a tire if it has a puncture, or can I repair it?

Repairing a tire is possible when:

  • There’s a puncture in the tread area and it’s less than ¼ of an inch (6 mm).
  • No other gashes or cuts are longer than ¼ inch.
  • The tire’s steel belt has not been damaged.
  • No earlier repairs have been done in the same area of the new puncture.

The extent of damage caused by what appears to be a simple puncture is determined by taking the tire off the wheel and checking for damage inside. In some cases, there is more damage inside the tire. At that point, your mechanic will tell if it can safely be repaired. If you find yourself in a situation where the tire is patched, have it properly repaired or replaced as soon as possible. It’s not worth having a serious accident with injury or even death simply because it was inconvenient to take care of.

Don’t drive on a tire that is going or has gone flat! You can cause more damage leading to:

  • Damage to the valve stem
  • Ripping the tire or separation of the tire and rim
  • Tire failure

What are other signs to look for to keep my tires in good condition?

Watch for these signs of trouble:

  • Bulging or cracking: Tires that are underinflated often bulge or crack if you hit a curb or pothole. Use a tire protectant each time you wash the vehicle and keep the tires properly inflated to prevent this.
  • Cupping or scalloping: This is caused by worn or damaged suspension that lets the shocks or struts bounce unevenly. The result is uneven pressure that creates scallops in the tires. Unbalanced tires can also cause cupping, leaving circular places of worn tread.
  • Heel-toe damage: The feathering effect on tires is caused by a failure to have your vehicle’s tires rotated. Some people mistakenly think this feathering is a normal sign of tire wear.
  • Feathering: This sideways pattern along a tire is caused by an incorrect toe setting on the alignment, or by a damaged suspension bushing.

Bring your car into Martin Tire Company to have one of our tire specialists determine the cause of any of these signs of trouble. They will then help you choose the best solution to make sure all your tires are in safe working condition.

Do new tires go on the front or the back?

Always put the two new tires on the rear of the car. This is true no matter what kind of vehicle you have. Make sure the new tires are the same size and type as the ones coming off the car. Then, move the older tires to the front. This provides maximum stability for the car. It’s never advised to only replace one tire. This leads to a difference in traction at each corner which can result in a loss of control of the car. Don’t forget Martin Tire Company offers financing options so you can choose the safest, most cost-effective tires for your car, even in an emergency.

How can I get the most miles from my tires?

Preventative maintenance is the answer! Don’t wait until you see worn spots or uneven tread wear. Make sure you are having your tires rotated, aligned, and balanced on a regular basis. Always keep the tire pressure at the manufacturer's recommended levels. Avoid debris in the road as much as is safely possible, don’t take corners too fast, and clean up nails, etc. in your garage or driveway.

How do I decide which tires to buy for my car?

Here are some things to pay attention to when it’s time to buy tires:

  • Size & load capacity
  • Tread type
  • Speed rating
  • Styling
  • Brand and quality
  • Your driving needs

Use the tire selector above to narrow down your choices, and then ask one of our tire specialists to help choose the right tires for you and your vehicle. And don’t forget to check out our tire deals and discounts!

Why is Martin Tire Company the best place for tires and tire repair?

We hire expert tire mechanics, superior customer service staff, and stock a large selection of tires! Our goal is simple: to help you find the best tires at the most cost-effective price and install and service them properly.
We can:

Martin Tire Company keeps records of all your purchases, vehicle’s repairs, and maintenance appointments. We want to build a working relationship with you based on trust and excellence. Let us be part of your car care team!

Schedule an appointment today!

Professionals You Trust. Service Beyond Expectations.

At Martin Tire, our highest priority is serving our customers. We are 100% committed to you, our valued customer. We strive to make every part of your experience with us hassle-free and pleasant.

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