So it’s that time of the year again when you can enjoy your favorite iced beverages by the pool and roam around carefree in cheap t-shirts but you know what’s not cheap? A tire replacement! It’s only a matter of time before the heat takes its toll on your already worn tires which are then going to have to be replaced with the new ones. 

Regardless if you are a new driver or a relatively old one, you are surely not going to get a discount on the number of years you have been driving for. So if you are looking to get the most bang for your buck, you may want to stick around as we try to address some of the tire replacement dilemmas you might be facing.

You may also check out Continental’s FAQ guide about buying new tires where we have answered most of the tire related questions you might have in your mind.

Should I buy used tires?

It sure seems tempting when the mechanic tries to upsell something that comes at half the price, but there are a number of things that could go wrong with old, used tires. For starters, you can never be fully sure about how they have been used previously and whether or not they have any miles left in them. 

One might argue that it’s easy to tell whether or not a tire is in usable condition by the looks of its grooves and tread depth, right? While it’s true for the new tires, with used tires, it’s a different story especially when they can be regrooved, repainted or tampered with in so many ways to make them look like they are in good shape.

Here at Continental, we always recommend people to buy new tires from a trusted dealer to avoid any mishaps while you are driving.

Do I need a new tyre if the old one has been punctured with a sharp object?

Well this is another classic script for “you need a new tyre“ that you might hear from your mechanic. Most punctures can easily be plugged and you don’t necessarily need to purchase a new tire after a couple of punctures as long as the tire is in a good shape. The only time a puncture can’t be fixed is when it’s on the sidewall. 

So the next time a mechanic tells you to discard your existing tire due to a puncture, take a good look at it before doing so.

Steer clear of the knock off brand name tires

Car tire industry is huge and wherever there is money involved, you would find scammers too. Just like many other consumer products, there are knock off versions of famous tire brands that you may want to avoid. These tires can wear out much faster, get cracks or even burst so they cannot be relied upon. No matter what vehicle you drive, if you are ever offered such tires, run as far away from them as possible. 

Driving with worn or weak tires could not just put yourself in danger but it can also endanger the lives of the fellow commuters which is why Continental recommends that you always buy new tires from a trusted dealer to avoid any trouble on the road.