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We are an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Our goal is to help you make smarter financial decisions by providing you with interactive tools and financial calculators, publishing original and objective content, by enabling you to conduct research and compare information for free - so that you can make financial decisions with confidence.
Bankrate has partnerships with issuers including, but not limited to, American Express, Bank of America, Capital One, Chase, Citi and Discover. How We Make Money
The offers that appear on this site are from companies that compensate us. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site, including, for example, the order in which they may appear within the listing categories. But this compensation does not influence the information we publish, or the reviews that you see on this site. We do not include the universe of companies or financial offers that may be available to you. SHARE: shank_ali/Getty Images November 17, 2021 Sara Coleman is an insurance contributor at Bankrate. She has a couple of years of experience in writing for insurance domains such as The Simple Dollar, Reviews.com, Coverage.com and numerous other personal finance sites. She writes about insurance products such as auto, homeowners, renters and disability. Maggie Kempken is an insurance editor for Bankrate. She helps manage the creation of insurance content that meets the highest quality standards for accuracy and clarity to help Bankrate readers navigate complex information about home, auto and life insurance. She also focuses on ensuring that Bankrate’s insurance content represents and adheres to the Bankrate brand. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of how we make money. Our content is backed by LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our Insurance Disclosure. Bankrate logo The Bankrate promise
Founded in 1976, Bankrate has a long track record of helping people make smart financial choices. We’ve maintained this reputation for over four decades by demystifying the financial decision-making process and giving people confidence in which actions to take next. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. All of our content is authored by and edited by , who ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy. Our insurance team is composed of agents, data analysts, and customers like you. They focus on the points consumers care about most — price, customer service, policy features and savings opportunities — so you can feel confident about which provider is right for you. We guide you throughout your search and help you understand your coverage options. We provide up-to-date, reliable market information to help you make confident decisions. We reduce industry jargon so you get the clearest form of information possible. All providers discussed on our site are vetted based on the value they provide. And we constantly review our criteria to ensure we’re putting accuracy first. Bankrate logo Editorial integrity
Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that we’re putting your interests first. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. Key Principles
We value your trust. Our mission is to provide readers with accurate and unbiased information, and we have editorial standards in place to ensure that happens. Our editors and reporters thoroughly fact-check editorial content to ensure the information you’re reading is accurate. We maintain a firewall between our advertisers and our editorial team. Our editorial team does not receive direct compensation from our advertisers. Editorial Independence
Bankrate’s editorial team writes on behalf of YOU – the reader. Our goal is to give you the best advice to help you make smart personal finance decisions. We follow strict guidelines to ensure that our editorial content is not influenced by advertisers. Our editorial team receives no direct compensation from advertisers, and our content is thoroughly fact-checked to ensure accuracy. So, whether you’re reading an article or a review, you can trust that you’re getting credible and dependable information. Bankrate logo How we make money
You have money questions. Bankrate has answers. Our experts have been helping you master your money for over four decades. We continually strive to provide consumers with the expert advice and tools needed to succeed throughout life’s financial journey. Bankrate follows a strict , so you can trust that our content is honest and accurate. Our award-winning editors and reporters create honest and accurate content to help you make the right financial decisions. The content created by our editorial staff is objective, factual, and not influenced by our advertisers. We’re transparent about how we are able to bring quality content, competitive rates, and useful tools to you by explaining how we make money. Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. We are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored products and, services, or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. Therefore, this compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. Other factors, such as our own proprietary website rules and whether a product is offered in your area or at your self-selected credit score range can also impact how and where products appear on this site. While we strive to provide a wide range offers, Bankrate does not include information about every financial or credit product or service. Bankrate logo Insurance Disclosure
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in . Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way. Purchasing a new set of tires is one of those tasks people put off until it’s absolutely necessary. Some drivers might not even give their tires a second thought until something stressful happens, such as a flat tire or accident. Or, the tires become worn or underinflated simply due to everyday driving habits. But driving on worn-out tires puts you in a dangerous situation on the road, especially during the fall and winter months when roads can become more treacherous — one reason why having the proper is so important. The good news is, you can limit the chances of a tire mishap by planning ahead to purchase new tires for your vehicle once they start to show wear and tear. Understanding what you need and what to expect when buying new tires will help you drive more safely and avoid high-pressure sales tactics that put you on the spot when making a tire purchase.
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When to repair vs replace your tires
One common question surrounding the purchase of tires is if they can be repaired instead. If your tire has a slow leak or puncture, it is usually possible to have it repaired versus purchasing a whole new tire. Some tire issues can be fixed simply by removing an object or patching the tire. This route is considerably less expensive than the cost of a brand new tire. Although the price varies based on the exact repair needed and other factors, it could be as to repair a damaged tire. Compared to the cost of a new tire, which is likely to be at least $100 plus labor for a decent tire, repairing could be a better option for minor damage if you’re on a tight budget. Another common question is how to know when it’s time to replace tires due to normal wear and tear. On average, tires should be replaced at , according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but it could be sooner based on your driving habits. One method for measuring wear and tear is referred to as the “penny test.” Simply hold a penny with the head of Lincoln upside down and then place the penny in the tread grooves. If you can’t see the top of Lincoln’s head when you place the penny in the tread, then the tires are worn, and you might want to consider replacing them. How to talk tires with salespeople
If you’ve had a flat tire or blowout, you might have to make a purchasing decision at the spur of the moment and under stress. One way to become more comfortable during these conversations at a tire shop is to familiarize yourself with basic tire terminology. Understanding tires will help you feel informed about what you are purchasing and help you avoid pressure from salespeople because you’ll have a better grasp of what you actually need. Not all tire stores and companies are the same; they range from local, family-owned operations to large, corporate-owned chain stores. Each tire store carries select brands of tires, so it’s possible certain tires may not be available from one location to another. Tire dealers typically carry a range of price points and types of tires, such as passenger or light truck and SUV options. You could also purchase seasonal tires or all-terrain options too. There should be options for budget-friendly tires, and then you will have a variety of price points from there. When researching tires or dealing with tire salespeople, understanding these terms could be helpful. Common tire terms Term Definition Tire size The tire size is imprinted on your tire, or the tire dealer can confirm it for you. It is a series of numbers and letters identifying the width, tire type, aspect ratio, diameter, load index, speed rating and construction type. Rotating and balancing Rotating your tires means moving them from their current position to another. Balancing your tires ensures your car’s weight is evenly distributed among the tires and can help mitigate wear and tear. Alignment Alignment is when you have the tire’s suspension, the system connecting the tires to the vehicle, adjusted. Run-flat tires If your tire has been punctured, run-flat tires allow you to continue driving long enough to get to a tire repair shop. TPMS sensors TPMS, short for tire pressure monitoring system, is a warning system to show you which tires on your car are under-inflated and need air. All-terrain All-terrain tires are designed for on and off-road driving, plus various driving conditions like dry, rainy or light snow. All-season All-season tires are suitable for wet and dry conditions and a range of hot and cold temperatures. Studless Tires without studs, which are sometimes placed in the tire tread to grip snow and ice. Tread-wear A measurement of how much the tires are worn down. Speed rating The maximum speed at which a tire can safely carry a load. Road hazard policies and other extras to watch out for
When you are purchasing tires, extras can drive your costs up quickly. A salesperson will likely ask you if you want to purchase an additional warranty or coverage for tires. Some tire manufacturers include warranties with the purchase of their tire for things like workmanship, limited road hazards or a specific mileage limit. The tire dealer may also offer other options for an additional fee, including coverage for wear and tear, potholes, flat tires or lifetime plugs and patches. You may even be offered an option for ‘free’ or discounted replacements under certain conditions, but keep in mind that is a perk you will likely need to pay for upfront when purchasing the tires. These additional coverage options and protections will almost always add to the bottom line cost for your new tires. If you decide to buy these additional coverage options for your tires, be sure to read the fine print before making the purchase. It is also helpful to understand what the manufacturer provides before purchasing additional coverage options from the dealer. In addition to coverage options for the tires, the tire dealer may also present other extra options for you to purchase along with the tires. Common extras include filling the tires with nitrogen (this may appeal to you for racing) or a TPMS system. Sometimes extras are included in the cost of the tire, but other times you’ll have to pay more for these options. Lastly, when choosing a tire, it may be tempting to focus solely on the price. Cheap tires are often poorly constructed and not as durable, which means you will be replacing them sooner than later. Also, most high-quality brands have less expensive sub-brands, which often have the same features but are at a less expensive price point. The key is to focus on quality and getting a tire to match your current driving lifestyle. How to change a tire
One thing you might consider doing to avoid extra trips to the tire dealership is keeping a full-size spare tire in your car for emergencies and changing it yourself. If you don’t know how to change a tire, you might want to learn before you find yourself stuck on the side of the road. Tutorials are available online or you might be able to find a basic car maintenance class in your community. When changing a tire yourself, keep these five considerations in mind. Pay attention to your surroundings, including oncoming traffic, the side of the road and lighting. Turn on your hazard lights and apply the parking brake to keep yourself and others safe. Even if you already know how to change a tire, read and follow the instructions from your car’s manual to make sure you are properly installing the new tire. Ensure you have a properly-sized jack and spare tire (or donut) in your vehicle. If you cannot change the tire yourself, call a tow truck or service immediately. Even if you are experienced with changing tires and have a full-size spare, you might want to consider taking your car to your mechanic for proper balancing and alignment once you put the new tire on. What to keep in your car in case of an emergency
Being stuck on the side of the road is challenging no matter the conditions outside. It’s a good idea to keep a few extra items in your car in case you find your vehicle inoperable for any reason, including: First Aid kit with basic supplies such as bandages, gloves, splints and gauze pads. Fix-a-flat, which is a sealant used to plug a leak in a tire. A few tools that can help you with common car issues include a jack, jumper cables, socket and screwdriver set, duct tape and a knife. These tools can be helpful even if you can’t fix the problem yourself if someone else comes to help you. A towel or blanket, not only to provide warmth but also to provide a sling or cushion if needed. Road flares to signal distress to other drivers on the road. Cell phone and wireless charging bank to call for help even if your car’s electric system isn’t working. Bottled water and snacks in case you are stuck waiting for help for a while. You should also make sure that your , including ensuring that all your lights work properly in case you are stuck on the side of the road in the dark. Conclusion
Purchasing new tires under difficult conditions is never an ideal time. However, by researching ahead of time you may feel more comfortable when you do have to make decisions about your tires. By maintaining proper tire conditions, you may not only extend the life of your tires, but you keep yourself and your family safer on the road. SHARE: Sara Coleman is an insurance contributor at Bankrate. She has a couple of years of experience in writing for insurance domains such as The Simple Dollar, Reviews.com, Coverage.com and numerous other personal finance sites. She writes about insurance products such as auto, homeowners, renters and disability. Maggie Kempken is an insurance editor for Bankrate. She helps manage the creation of insurance content that meets the highest quality standards for accuracy and clarity to help Bankrate readers navigate complex information about home, auto and life insurance. She also focuses on ensuring that Bankrate’s insurance content represents and adheres to the Bankrate brand. Related Articles