Replacing the tires on your vehicle can be tricky because so many tire styles and brands are available. However, saving money on tires does not mean that you have to opt for poor performance. Selecting the right tires for your vehicle is essential. Modern suspension systems use the tires as part of the system to ensure ride quality and handle as the manufacturer intended.

Tire Size

The replacement tires you choose for your car or truck need to be the right size for the vehicle if you want to retain ride and performance. Often the brand of the tire is less critical than the size, so look for a tire that meets the manufacturer's size recommendations listed in the owner's manual of your vehicle. 

When you arrive at the tire shop to select new tires, you will find many different brands available, so a midrange tire with a similar tread pattern as the original equipment (OE) tires is an excellent place to start. There are sometimes optional tire sizes listed for one vehicle, but often this is because of different wheel sizes or styles used on specific trim packages, so you may need to verify which one is right for your model, and the tire shop workers can help you with that. 

Tire Prices

Many of the tires available in lower price tiers are made in the same way as the more prominent brands. They use the same materials, but without the high marketing costs, so they are available at a lower price for consumers looking to save some money. In some cases, these budget-friendly tires are made alongside the more expensive tires in the same facilities, using the same materials. 

The tire shop may have tires from lesser-known brands that are just as good as the well-known brands and have equivalent mileage ratings at significant savings. In many cases, these are the tires you find on sale or in a "buy three, get the fourth free" deal advertised with many tire shops.

Talk to the tech or person at the counter about the tires and who manufactures them. They should have some insight into the quality of the tires based on repairs, returns, and failures that they see with the brand, making it easier for you to determine if the tires are a good fit for your driving needs. 

Tire Maintenance

Getting the most out of your tires often comes down to maintenance and applies to tires at any price point. If you are trying to save some money and opt for lower-cost replacement tires for your vehicle, take the car into your local tire shop for regular tire rotation and inspection. The tech will let you know if there is wear starting on the tires that you should be concerned about. They can make sure the balance is correct, verify that there is no road damage, and make sure the tires are properly inflated, so you get the most use from your lower-price tires.  

For more information on car tires, contact a tire shop near you.