Tires Guide - tires and gears

Is It Safe to Buy Used Tires for Your Car? Buying used tires for your car may not be necessarily a bad idea, but this does not mean it's a good idea either. Well, for you to know whether the used tires you are planning to purchase will be good for your car, before considering the acquisition. You should pay keen attention to some factors, including the state in which the tires are in. In some cases, you may realize that the tires you want to purchase have worn-out treads. As you know, installing tires with worn-out threads to the car will not do you any good, and you risk skidding off the road every time you drive. Skidding off the road is not the only worry to have whenever you are contemplating getting used tires for your car. There are also other potential threats such as oxidation and tires, which were initially subjected to carrying overweight loads. Whenever you leave your home and decide to get some second-hand tires for your car, always ensure you do so during the daylight. This will help you see clearly the condition the tires you are buying are in. It's possible that you may probably not be able to identify all underlying tire conditions with your naked eyes. But by vetting the tires during the day, you stand a chance to eliminate way worn-out tires. The other issue to note is that when purchasing used tires. The dealer of such tires is a second retailer and most probably is not involved directly with the production companies in any way. CLICK HERE to check current prices on Amazon Therefore, in instances where the companies recall some tires already in the market to correct some fault that may have resulted from the production. There is no possible way they can trace your tires. You will also not have the confidence to request a company's replacement as you did not acquire it from them. Since most tire companies often keep in touch with their customers, sometimes as a way of after-sales services to their customers to enquire about their experience with the tires. You may not get a chance to give your views on any uprising matters regarding the tires. Well, the bottom line is, when you want to go for used tires, it may be a bad idea if you pick one which had more underlying problems which you were unable to identify. Otherwise, some used tires are still pretty much in good condition, and you may go ahead and purchase them for your car. Do not forget that some of these used tires are still durable and can last longer when properly maintained and cared for. However, as you opt for them, always ensure you give them a thorough cross-check and test if possible before installing them in your car. What Should I Look For When Buying Used Tires For My Car? You may possibly have decided that you are going for the used tires, perhaps due to financial constraints or any other personal reasons you have got. Wondering about what to look out for when you select the type of used tires for your car? Well, below are some key factors which will enable acquire used tires which could still be usable. Treads; The first visible sign of used tires, which indicate good condition, is tiring that still have their treads in good condition, especially thick treads. If you are contemplating acquiring used tires, then go for those which still have thick treads. Identifying tires with thick threads is not the ultimate judge of a good used tire, but it will enable eliminate a number of other numerous available choices in the store. Installing tires with worn-out treads in your car could result in a rather unpleasant driving experience. For instance, when driving and your tires’ treads are worn out, you may find it difficult to initiate breaks. Well, what could be worse than driving a car with an inefficiently performing breaking system? You will likely cause an accident or hit something. The next reason why you may have to think twice before using those tires with worn-out threads is skidding. The tires will skid as you drive; hence you may not have much control over your car’s movements. Time in storage; You should also be aware of the time the used tires have been in the storage before you. This information is not often possible to grasp by just looking at the tires, so you should inquire from the seller. However, there are some tires which you can tell, by looking at them, that they have spent better days in storage than others. To be sure, opt to ask the seller how long the used tires you intend to purchase have been sitting there. Used tires which have spent a long time in storage are often not preferred. They may have probably undergone some oxidation process and become weak and less durable. The tires are made of rubber, and the rubber reacts with some elements overtime. The resulting condition of such tires after reaction will render them no longer worthy of being used. Consider going for used tires (Amazon Link)which have spent lesser time in storage, especially those which were brought in as recently as possible. Initial usage location; Since the tire sellers often have records indicating where the tires are from, it is advised that you should go through this list before acquiring the used tires. Manufacturers are often keen and precise with the type of tires they manufacture. For example, some tire manufacturers produce tires to be used in certain parts of the world. Some tires are manufactured for use in areas that experience winter conditions most of the time, and some tires are made for summer. If you ignore this information and acquire tires meant for winter and use them in areas with harsh summer conditions, then the tires will not prove much to you. They may have been really good and in great condition, but due to the conditions you subject them to as a second user, they may not last long. You may soon need to replace them. Therefore, always strive to know the origin of the tires., that is to say, where their previous owner used them. What Risks Are Associated With Buying Used Tires For My Car? Buying used tires often subject constant worry to the car owners. Well, to clear the air and shed some light on this, here are some risks you may likely associate with when you opt to acquire and install used tires in your car. Skidding; You don’t want this. Trust me. Tires that are constantly skidding on the road can be such a headache that you may end up questioning your life choices. The tires on your wheels should grip the road surface adequately to enable you to gain control of your car’s movements. If you acquire used tires and install them, there is a possibility that the tires may not be having adequate tread thickness to grip the road surface. As a result, you may have relatively little control over your car’s maneuvers, especially when driving at high speed. You still want to know the possible outcome of such skidding wheels? I bet you do know. Accidents; The chain is quite simple to internalize and interpret. Buying used tires may mean you have installed low-quality tires on your car. Low-quality tires, or worn-out tires for that matter, directly translates to poor grip on the road, which further results in little control of the car when driving. In case of emergency driving commands, the tires may not initiate the commanded driving instructions efficiently and swiftly as require. You may end up knocking onto something or skidding off the road into a ditch. And the result is an undesired accident. Low durability; Once you set off to buy used cars, durability should not be one of the vocabularies in your mind. These tires have been initially used, meaning their durability has been relatively compromised too. Some of the used tires may have been used on highly speeding vehicles, or some used to carry heavyweight. Therefore, you may realize the tire's durability has been reduced to maybe half or more. If you install the used tires on your car, they may not last longer, more so when compared to their new counterparts from manufacturing units. Used tires have low durability, and you may have to visit the seller sooner than you think to replace the tires. How Long Can Used Tires Last? When you opt to buy used tires for your cars, you should be aware that the tires may probably not last as long as the new ones from manufactured units. However, used tires can last long or even longer depend solely on one factor; Age of the used tires; The longer the used tires have been used, to lesser time it is likely to serve you. Tires often begin to degrade the moment they are taking away from the production unit. Therefore, if you want to buy used tires, then you should consider going for those which have been used for a span of between 2 to 3 years. If you acquire used tires which have been in constant use for about five years or more. Then you will have to keep an out on them now and then to ensure they are in good condition; this may be exhausting. One factor to keep in mind is avoiding buying tires that have been in use for ten years or more. These tires have seen better days and can disappoint you by collapsing anytime, anywhere. Their treads are probably worn out, and their sides can hardly hold themselves together. Avoid them and go for the recent ones like those of about 2 to 3 years of service. How Can I Ensure My Used Tires Last Longer? Buying used tires for your car may not be a bad idea after all, especially if you probably know how to play your cards right. You may not know, but the used tires may last longer than expected. One of the ways you can probably do this is by buying the used tires and installing them in your, and performing rotation on them. Yes, Rotating Your Tires Can Significantly Make Them Last Longer. Rotating the tires on different wheels will also ensure even wear off is maintained and the wearing off speed is minimized. You may probably be wondering how often you need to rotate the tires. Well… How Many Times Do I Need To Rotate My Tires In A Year? You may rotate your tires as often as you feel it is right for you to do so. However, most people prefer rotating their tires once after every couple of weeks. This is ideal for used tires but, if your tires are still in good condition and there is not much driving involved, then you may consider rotating the wheels once every six months. Secondly, maintaining air pressure; if you want your used tires to last longer, it is advised that you check the air pressure as often as possible. Some drivers normally prefer to do so after covering about 3000 miles; however, checking the air pressure every week is not a bad idea. You should also be aware that if you notice that one of the tires tends to lose pressure at a faster rate than the others. Then you should pay more attention to it and have it corrected in any way possible. Maintaining air pressure on the tires will not only be beneficial for the longevity of your used tires but may also save you a great deal when it comes to fuel consumption. Sure enough, adequately pressure tires may improve your car’s fuel efficiency by 3% or more. Ensure your used tires are always clean; This is another way of extending the longevity of your used tires. Always ensure the tires are clean. However, when doing your cleaning, it is important to pay attention to the instructions to be followed for cleaning the tires. Performing adequate cleaning of the tires will ensure you get the best result from the tires. Also, pay keen attention to the cleaning substances you use, especially cleaning detergents. Some of these substances may react with the rubber used in tire manufacturing and end up speeding the rate of wearing off instead of reducing. You may consider changing the water used to clean one tire when you clean the next one. Avoid Constant Exposure of the Tires to Direct UV; You may not view it as a big deal, but constant exposure of your used tires to direct UV may play a significant role in reducing their life span. When the tires are continuously exposed to direct UV overtime, the used tires may become weaker. Reactions between the rubber used in tire manufacturing and elements may be enhanced; thus, the tires become weaker sooner than expected. Always strive to store your used tires in cool shaded places like the garage. Also, your car should be kept in the garage whenever you are not using it or some shade when you park away from home. What Should I Be Aware Of When Buying Used Tires For My Car? If you have decided to opt for used tires, then once you set off to the dealer to make your purchase, you should have these basics in mind; The Tires' Quality Can Be Faked; In the business world, most sellers can tell you precisely what you want to hear so long sales are made. It's not ethical even though most sellers go for this trick, but still, it is business. Therefore, you should probably always keep in mind that the seller could be exaggerating the quality of the used tires you want to acquire to get you to buy them. Before giving the seller a chance to point out their remarks on the used tires, you want to acquire, make it a habit to inspect the tires by yourself. You may end up realizing the tires are not as good as they first seemed to be or as you were first assured they are by the seller. Therefore, always stay woke for the occurrence of such instances. You Will Miss out If There Are Safety Recalls; when tires are purchased directly from the dealing or manufacturing companies. The buyers’ information, especially contact information, is often retained by the company. This information can be used to contact the buyers of the tires in case there are developing issues with the tires which require an immediate recall. Well, if you buy used tires for your car, the sellers of such tires may probably not have the mandate to make contact with you; Especially since there was no contact information retained. Furthermore, company products are often known and resolved by the company; thus, the information is hardly known by a third party, leave alone resolved. There Is A High Possibility Of Failure; If you buy used tires, and perhaps you pick the one which has been used for a longer period of about seven years or more. Then you should not be surprised when they fail anytime. Some tires may be able to hold together and perform efficiently for as long as ten years, but this may not be the case with the used tire you are buying. Also, other manufactures indicate that their tires can last for about seven years. Therefore, if you purchase these tires a few years later than the recommended efficient operation time, then they risk failing anytime you are driving. Generally, buying used tires for your car is not bad, and if you opt for that choice, you may go ahead. However, as you go for the used tires, always pay keen attention to the factors. Ensure you purchase used tires that still can swerve you for some significant time. However, keep in mind that purchasing used tires for your car is not the same as buying brand new cars from the company. There are evident differences you may experience.