FAQs

Whenever there is a need for replacing car tires, the first thing that comes to mind is the cost. The price of tires varies from place to place and also depends on factors like make, quality, and size. Their cost is also significantly higher as they are made using high-quality rubber and steel components.

For an average car, the cost of replacing tires is around $100, while for SUVs and larger vehicles, it ranges between $175 to $200. Standard all-season tires cost between $50 to $200. Multiple factors determine the cost of new tires, mainly make and size. Typically, the size of tires for small cars ranges between 13 to 16 inches while that of SUV and pickup trucks isbetween 18 to 20 inches.

It is always essential for an individual to have adequate experience to guide an inexperienced person in tire selection. The type of tire, make, size, quality, and price depend upon radius factors. One needs to understand the purpose and budget to make the right choice. Tire replacement can cost anywhere between $80 2 $800 depending on the brand and vehicle type. Car owners should always buy OEM tires to ensure that the ABS and other safety equipment work correctly.

The wheels of every vehicle had a line correctly after it leaves the manufacturing facility. Manufacturers are sure that both the front and rear tires are inconsistent positions relative. But once the vehicle is on the open road and is driven over bad patches, potholes, rough terrains, wheels start to get misaligned. When the driver strikes an object or hits a pothole hard, one of the wheels is slightly moved to the other side.

While driving a vehicle with misaligned wheels, several symptoms can be experienced. Cars often start to drift from right to left, even when the steering is centered. Vibrations in the steering wheel are also observed in some cases. Wheel alignment charges range between $50 to $75. Experts recommend checking the tire rotation at the same time to eliminate the chances of uneven tire wear.

Individuals must get a car’s tires aligned at every ten thousand miles to maintain healthy tire wear. If the vehicle is involved in some accident or is driven over bad roads, alignment should be checked correctly. Wheel alignment and axle repair jobs are done by experienced mechanics to avoid unnecessary expenses and damage. After completing the job, the mechanic must provide a detailed report of the task, parts used, and a service guarantee.

When new tires are purchased for a vehicle, the owner must have a clear idea of the ways for checking a tire’s health. But it is found that most car owners do not understand the need for proper wheel alignment. Many also do not know wheel alignment intervals. Aligning all four wheels is not always necessary when new tires are put in a car.

Wheel alignment ensures that all the four wheels are in place relative to one another. If the alignment is not performed after installing one or more new wheels in a car, the drive and handling characteristics might change. Uneven wear of the tire is also noticed, which eventually decreases the life of a tire. Irrespective of the type and quality of tire, wheel alignment is necessary.

It helps in getting more mileage out of a fresh factory set of tires. Moreover, wheel alignment helps in keeping the car safe and avoids unnecessary skidding or drifting. If wheel alignment is not done after installing new tires, the vehicle may show uneven right and premature tire wear. Wheel alignment is essential to lower the running expenses of a car.

Typically, OEM tires on a new vehicle last for around 50,000 miles before replacement. Several factors affect the useful life of a set of tires. People must take good care of tires to ensure proper functionality and safety. The type of tire pleases a significant rule in its usability. Softer tires provide better road grip but wear out quickly. On the other hand, performance-oriented tires wear out much sooner compared to the standard all-season alternatives.

Treadwear rating is also essential to understand a tire’s life; the higher the number, the longer the tire can be used. The drivetrain and performance of a vehicle also determine the wear and tear of a tire. If the car is front or rear-wheel-drive, tires will wear out faster. Road conditions also cause significant damage to the tires. Rough terrains cause noticeably more damage than smooth paved roads.

Off-roading causes tires to wear out faster and reduce their average usable life. Vehicles driven on mountains and hills experience more tire wear as they operate in full power while going up and down the slopes. Tires must be kept inflated with appropriate tire pressure. Experts suggest checking tires at regular intervals to avoid premature wearing, especially in front or rear-wheel-drive cars.

Maintaining a modern car with all its features and functionalities can become a difficult task. Periodic repair and maintenance are essential to keep the car driving safely. Wheel alignment is a critical factor in the safety of the vehicle that mostly gets overlooked. Many people are not even aware of the simple ways to fix misaligned wheels. There can be multiple reasons that can cause the wheels to become misaligned.

If the steering wheel of a car is not centered correctly, it will result in wheel misalignment. If the vehicle is observed to pull to one side or other, then wheel alignment is necessary. Vehicles must drive straight with minimal effort on the steering wheel. When a car shows symptoms of pulling from side to side, the owner must check and correct the wheel alignment. Another simple and easy way to check for misaligned wheels is by observing tire wear patterns.

Experienced technicians can easily understand issues with the suspension, tire pressure, or wheel alignment by observing the tires’ condition. Tire rotation and inspection at the time of service shows the wheels’ relative alignment to earn one another; abnormal tire wear is a clear indication of misaligned wheels. The handling of the car is affected significantly if the wheels are not aligned properly.

Appropriate alignment of the wheels in a car is necessary for its proper handling and drivability. The revolutions start to give become misaligned. It increases the damage of the tires and the chances of an accident while driving on the road. Hence, it is essential to ensure proper alignment of the wheels through the periodic maintenance of the car. It helps to keep the occupants safe and increases the usable life of the vehicle and tires. 

Following are some of the causes of wheel misalignment that owners must be aware of:

When the wheels of a car are correctly aligned, it will rotate in a straight line—allowing the driver to steer correctly as all four wheels are directed in the same direction. If a vehicle hits something on the road, runs over a big pothole, or hits a curb, it might result in wheel misalignment.

When the wheels are not aligned properly relative to one another, steering the vehicle in the desired direction is difficult. When a vehicle’s wheels are not correctly aligned, it will not maintain consistent speed leading to considerable fuel wastage. Proper alignment of the wheels is necessary for good fuel economy and performance.

The wheel of a car can become misaligned when the vehicle is poorly driven over patches on roads. It can also lead to wearing out of parts in the wheel and the suspension system, resulting in noticeable symptoms of misaligned wheels. Cars with adequately aligned wheels will offer better performance and efficiency at the same time. Moreover, they perform better when taking a sharp turn or dodging obstacles on roads. Sometimes weird vibrations are observed when driving a car in a straight line.

Misaligned wheels often lead to uneven and fast tire wear. To keep a check on uneven tire wear, one must always measure the depth of tire tread on both sides of the car at regular intervals. If the wheels are correctly aligned, it will have equal rubber depth on all tires.

Uneven tire wearing due to misaligned wheels also result in squealing when the vehicle is accelerating or taking a turn. The feeling can also be a result of worn-out brake pads or damaged suspension parts. Car owners must always get the vehicle appropriately checked if such symptoms are observed. Keeping the wheels aligned improves the car’s efficiency and performance and makes the ride a lot safer for the occupants.

The majority of the car owners do not put wheel alignment at the top of the maintenance list. Regular tune-ups, fluid checks, oil changes, the battery’s replacement, and bulb are done, but tiers are left untouched. However, it turned out to be one of the essential elements for ensuring vehicle safety. Usually, people do not worry about tires until they blow out, leaving them stranded on the side of the road.

Wheel alignment is an essential part of vehicular health and should not be ignored. Tire rotation is a good practice to reduce wear and tear but does not help with misaligned wheels. Car owners must always have the wheel alignment checked during regular service intervals. It helps in identifying potential issues and stopping them from becoming expensive fixes.

Neglecting checkpoints during a service can lead to complicated problems and costly repairs. Observing the tire tread pattern helps in understanding whether the wheels are correctly aligned or not. Car tires must be replaced at regular intervals for safety and performance. If the wheels are correctly aligned, it reduces the chances of excessive wear and poor handling of the car. Moreover, it helps the vehicle to perform efficiently on the road.

Maintaining and replacing car tires is essential for the safety of the vehicle on the road. Cars that lack the right condition tires with sufficient tread will have difficulty accelerating, cornering, and braking. However, car owners mostly tend to avoid replacing tires due to their high cost. It is essential to understand the right time to replace car tires to prevent unnecessary expenses.

The depth and pattern of the tread must be checked at different points of the tire. Similarly, the edges must not show excessive wear and tear. A tire must be able to maintain appropriate tire pressure. If symptoms like uncomfortable right leaks and excessive noise are observed, tires must be replaced immediately. Usually, the front tires of the car wear out faster compared to the rear ones.

Replacing two tires at a time is always a good practice. The new set of tires must be used at the rear while the older pair of tires can be used at the front. One must always mind purchasing one tire at a time. If a single tire in a car is damaged, buy another new tire for the other side. For all wheel-driven vehicles, tire replacement should be done as per the recommendation of the manufacturer.

Alignment refers to the suspension system’s geometry comprising different components working together to turn and support the vehicle. Even the slightest change in the vehicle’s suspension system’s geometry and wheel alignment can significantly damage and lead to premature tire wear. When mechanics check the wheel alignment, they take measurements of the camber and caster of the wheel for determining the perfect alignment angle.

A series of tools and alignment devices are used to align all four wheels relative to one another. Poor alignment affects the car’s handling and feels economic and causes premature tire wear, braking troubles, and excessive vibration. It also compromises the safety of the driver and occupants in the car. Excessive wear and tear of the tires due to misalignment can result in costly repairs of the suspension components and increase fuel consumption significantly.

Wheel alignment can be completed within an hour for most vehicles. Investing in a new set of tires and proper wheel alignment will dramatically improve the longevity of the suspension system of the car. Reputed car servicing facilities use high-end alignment machines to ensure that the vehicle is aligned correctly and does not require frequent changes and tires and suspension repair. The efficiency, performance, and handling of a car deteriorates due to poor wheel alignment.