Used Tires

Let us get real. Buying used tires may be about cost, but safety should be your first priority. You can save a lot of money by buying used, but you need to know what to look for in a safe used tire. I have tried to set up some guidelines to help you make a wise decision.

You’ll need to be armed with a little bit of information before you set out buying tires. First, you’ll need to make sure you get the right size. If you don’t already know what size tire you need, that’s okay. Your vehicle will tell you. You will find what is called an identification sticker inside your vehicle (usually inside the driver’s side door jam or in the glove box).

On the sticker you will find information such as tire size, speed rating, and maximum payload your vehicle can handle. You can see these column listings. If you can not find the identification sticker, check out your owner’s manual where you will find the necessary information.

Ideally, you would buy cheap used tires in person. There is a lot to be said for being able to run your hands along the tread and inspect the rubber yourself. You can buy used tires online, and there are a lot of options available, but you will need to be a little more cautious. I will get into online shopping later in the article.

Buying in person is advantageous for a number of reasons. Getting to see the quality of the rubber is important, as is being able to test the depth of the treads. Here are some quick guidelines for buying used tires in person:

Rubber Quality

Look for signs of cracking on the side wall or on the tread. If you can, give the tire a hefty push downward (like you’re trying to shove it into the ground) and see if this exposes any previously unseen cracks. It is okay to have some surface lines visible, but cracks in the rubber are unacceptable.

Previous Repairs

Ask your seller if the tires have ever been repaired. Ideally, they haven’t. If you can, look inside the tire for evidence of patchwork. You will see where all the plugs and patches have been placed. Tires that have been repaired properly will function just fine. But, if there are too many patches, this is not the tire for you. You’re only going to have problems down the line.

Uneven Tire Wear

The ideal used tire will have evenly worn tread. Alignment problems on a vehicle will cause tires to wear more on one side than the other, making it look more flat on the worn side. While uneven tires may still be structurally sound, they tend to be loud and could cause handling problems later on.

Tread Depth

Well, here is an old trick my grandpa taught me: take a penny and turn it so that Lincoln’s head is facing downward. Place the penny in between the treads. On a used tire it is acceptable for the tread to reach the top of Lincoln’s head. If it doesn’t the tire is too worn and not acceptable.

Buying used tires online presents a whole new set of challenges, primarily because you can not see and judge them with your own eyes (and coins). As a result, you’re going to have to take a few extra precautions.

Tire Size

When buying online you’re going to have to make sure you have the tire size exactly as written on your identification sticker or in your owner’s manual. Quite often, you will be called upon to enter this information into some kind of search engine, so it’s also practical to keep it handy.

Seller’s reputation

Let us face it; the tires on your vehicle play a key role in keeping you safe while driving. Are you willing to put that to chance just to save a few bucks? When buying used tires online it pays to take a little extra time to research the seller. Check the Better Business Bureau to see if there have been any complaints against them. If they’re an auction seller, then you would do yourself some good and read their feedbacks. Also, sometimes just plugging their name into your favorite search engine will help you find useful information about their reputation.

Ask a ton of questions

How deep is the tire tread? How many miles were driven on them? How many times have they been repaired? Is the tire wear even? These are all things you would be able to judge for yourself if you could see the tires in person, but since you can’t you’ll need to ask them of the seller.

You can find quality used tires at great prices if you know how to select the best ones. I hope this guide helps you do just that. Be sharp, and be safe.