| About once a month, I get the call: "Hey...umm...can | | | | 2. Buy your tires from a local dealer. I know it's |
| you get my buddy a deal on 'such-and-such size' tires. | | | | tempting to buy those shiny new tires from an online |
| Each time, I respond kindly, and remind them that my | | | | store. It costs a little less up front, especially since |
| company sells heavy equipment tires, not passenger | | | | you don't pay sales tax with some vendors. Ahh, but |
| tires. If they don't want tires for a haul truck, or | | | | the other costs still get you. You have shipping. Then |
| earthmover, I can't do anything for them. | | | | you have installation. And...if you didn't happen to buy |
| When it comes down to it, I end up going through | | | | the tires from the shop that installs them, they |
| the same process to purchase tires that each and | | | | probably won't rotate your tires for free. Say |
| every person on the planet does: I have to do my | | | | "goodbye" to $40 every 5K miles. |
| research, call around, and find out who can get me in | | | | 3. Rotate your tires. Yes, my friends, this will save |
| and out in the least amount of time. | | | | you money. In case you hadn't noticed, your tires are |
| Fortunately for everyone, I do know a little bit about | | | | all slightly angled. That means that they will wear |
| how to save money on a set of tires. It just may | | | | unevenly, if the proper steps are not taken to rectify |
| not be at the time of purchase. You see, there are | | | | the situation. Ideally, get your tires rotated each time |
| hidden costs to proper tire maintenance that you will | | | | you change your oil. This will ensure that the tires |
| not see on your installation bill. They hide in gas | | | | wear evenly, and you get the most out of the |
| mileage, tire wear, and service charges. | | | | rubber you paid for. Again, if you buy your tires and |
| So, without further adieu, here are my top 3 | | | | installation from a local dealer, they will generally |
| suggestions for saving cash throughout the life of | | | | rotate the tires for free. Remember, uneven tires |
| your tires: | | | | have less overall contact with the road, so this will |
| | | | affect your braking performance, as well. The harder |
| 1. Make sure your tires are properly inflated, on a | | | | you hit the brakes, the faster the pads wear out. |
| regular basis. Many people laughed at Barack Obama | | | | That's money. |
| when he suggested inflating your tires to save | | | | If you were expecting more, I'm sorry. For all the the |
| money on fuel. I wasn't one of them. If tire pressure | | | | engineering that goes into a set of tires, at the end |
| is two low, it creates greater rolling resistance, which | | | | of the day, they are merely steel, air, rubber, and oil. |
| in turn, will cause your car to burn more fuel. If it is | | | | Saving money on your tires isn't hard. Being |
| dangerously low, a flat, or accident may occur, thus | | | | consistent is. So check your air pressure, buy from a |
| costing you a very large sum of money. Check your | | | | dealer who cares about you, and rotate your tires |
| tire pressure at least once a month, to make sure | | | | every time you change the oil. |
| this doesn't happen to you. If you are at a loss as to | | | | It's easy, and it will save you buckets of cash, over |
| what the proper pressure is for your vehicle, check | | | | the life of your vehicle. Sorry, I have to take this call. |
| the frame inside your passenger's side door. The | | | | Somebody wants to know if I can get "such and |
| recommended front and rear inflation levels are | | | | such size" tires for their stepmom. |
| prominently displayed. | | | | |