Are Used Tires Right for You?

Money is tight in today's economy.  The prospect of shelling out several hundred dollars for a set of new tires can be quite daunting.  However, it need not be problematic.  Used tires offer you a viable alternative to spending a wad of cash on your tire needs.  Used tires can be reliable, offer tremendous durability and even give you a long-lasting solution to your needs.  What options can you find in used tires?  How can they benefit you?

General Used Tires – You will find many different types of used tires, but the majority fall into the "general" category.  The most common source of these tires is other consumers, but you will also find used tires from dealerships in the mix, as well as tires from rental cars and more.  Of course, the less use a tire has seen, the better, but a quality reseller will offer a guarantee of at least 50% remaining tread.

Of course, used tires from consumer vehicles will usually have the least amount of remaining tread.  On the other hand, tires from rental cars and those from dealerships often have an enormous amount of tread left on them.  This gives you an excellent way to spend less on your tires, but still get the maximum life out of them.

Regardless, you must look for several things when purchasing used tires.  These include:

·         Tire tread – The more tread remaining on the tire, the longer it will last. Most resellers offer at least 50% remaining tread on their used tire stock, though you will find tread percentages up to 90% remaining.

·         General Condition – The used tires that you choose should be in good condition.  This means no cuts in the sidewall and no damage to the tire bead.  Tires with significant damage should be rejected in favor of ones with less damage.

Retreads – Retreaded tires have long been an option for both consumer and commercial needs.  For instance, retreaded truck tires constitute the bulk of tire sales in the heavy truck category.  However, you will find that retreaded tires are also available for consumer vehicles to an extent.  A retreaded tire can be an excellent way to get full tread on your used tires, without paying the price for new tires.  In addition, retreads are safer today than they once were, thanks to advances in remanufacturing technology and retreading methods.