Car Moron, Need Tire help!

[Ctwizzy]

I dont know much about cars, besides how to drive them.

While I was away I lent my car to my dad, he had the steering fixed and while looking they found out my front two tires are crap. Back two seem fine.

Its been around 2-3 years since the tired were changed, mechanic recommended at least changing the front two, and if can afford the back two as well.

So what make of tires should I be looking for, how do I know what size? And where is the best place (read best bang for the buck) to get them and installed?

Thanks!

[bobbings]

doesn't your tire have the specs written on the side? stuff like 205/55/17??

go with the specs on the tires and choose the brand you like or to save money, choose a cheaper brand.

you should change all 4 tires and rotate them whenever you're supposed to so that you get an even wear and tear on each tire. the reason your front 2 tires are worn is because you have a front wheel drive car and therefore, the front will definitely go bald before the back ones do.

I'd suggest that you get a set of winter and a set of summer/all season tires so that you can swap them every winter/summer. that way, your winter driving is safer and that would mean you will spend a little bit more but in the long run, it's safer and you could potentially get more life out of your tires. good luck.

[Pete_Coach]

On the Left hand door frame (front or rear, depends on the make) is a plate that has the OEM recommended tires sizes and pressures.
As for the brand of tire, well on this forum you will get every brand name that is out there and every price range from $59 to $259 each. Buy according to your budget and the type of driving you do. Do not though, only get two tires. Replace them as a set of four so that you can ensure that you have equal "footing" and control on all four corners of your car.

[Engi-Nir]

get all season tires, all 4 tires....while you are checking the prices, check out Tirerack.com, it tells you the final price after brokerage,taxes,etc for canadians, you will be surprised to learn it is cheaper than buying it local.

If you are really bored, you can drive down to buffalo, have the tires changed and drive back in brand new tires, and remember to buy something in buffalo so the nice immigration officer doesn't wonder why the hell you went over the boarder and brought nothing and came back in half a day.

At the end of the day, almost everything ends up being cheaper in states!

[Ctwizzy]

I live nearer Michigan than Buffalo, where in the states do you recommend getting tires from?

I hear costco is good to get tires from in Canada, but if I grab them in the states costco will the warranty carry over to this side of the border?

Also what brand, model, make whatever type of tires should I get? I cant afford to get winter and then all season in the summer, so all season will have to do. I will pay the money if the quality of the tires is worth it, the current front two tires are motomaster which the mechanic said are utter shite, back two are goodyear I think but its been 2+ years since the tires were changed so Im better off changing all 4.

Also I cant order online, need the tires sooner rather than later, my car is skidding in the snow at the mere thought of braking!

Thanks!

[D-3vil]

If all-season tires is all you can get, I recommend the Goodyear TripleTreds or the Nokian WRs. They are good all-around performers, with better than average traction in the snow (compared to other all-season tires).

I also suggest changing all four tires. The better tires should always be mounted on the rear of the vehicle (otherwise you run the risk of fishtailing when braking). This usually means that the front will get crappy steering control in the snow, as well as crappy traction (assuming your car is front-wheel drive).

If you buy your tires from Costco, I remember reading in a thread (on here, somewhere) that the warranty will be honored at any other Costco, so you would be able to buy the tires from the US and be covered in Canada.

[Engi-Nir]

I sort of remember the same thing about costco honoring the warranty but not entirely sure, u can just call them up and find out since u r near the boarder, go for a quick drive worst case.

[Ctwizzy]

Thanks, ill call Costco tomorrow.

Ok so those two brands are good all year tires?

Winter tires arnt worth the money atm for me, winter only lasts 3 more months, then I would have to change the tires back? Cant I use winter tires all year?

Is there a site which reviews tires so I can make an educated purchase?

Thanks!

[Ctwizzy]

This the goodyear triple treads?
http://www.costco.com/Tires/Product.aspx?IV=true&YW=2000&MA=PLYMOUTH&MD=Neon+LX+4+Dr.&SP=0&MN=1771&cat=3961&lang=en-US&MNo=0&Prodid=11006411&Aspect=60&Diameter=15&Speed=T&Width=185

Thanks, they may of course have dif tires in store, but this is the only ones my size I could find on their site.

appreciate the help thus far!

[D-3vil]

This the goodyear triple treads?
http://www.costco.com/Tires/Product.aspx?IV=true&YW=2000&MA=PLYMOUTH&MD=Neon+LX+4+Dr.&SP=0&MN=1771&cat=3961&lang=en-US&MNo=0&Prodid=11006411&Aspect=60&Diameter=15&Speed=T&Width=185

Thanks, they may of course have dif tires in store, but this is the only ones my size I could find on their site.

appreciate the help thus far!

Those are not the ones.

TripleTreds: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Goodyear&tireModel=Assurance+TripleTred

You should be able to get a cheaper price than Costco at a discount tire store, IMHO.

[hytong]

http://www.tirerack.com/winter/wintertesting.jsp
http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=120