Good Tire Shop/Good Tire Brand?

[actionstan]

Originally Posted By: Ken2
Why pair alignment with buying tires?

If the tires show uneven wear or the steering pulls to one side, get it aligned, new tires or not.

If the tires show even wear and the steering doesn't pull, why get alignment with tires?

And, there are good alignment jobs and mediocre alignment jobs. Demand the adjustments get set at the middle of the allowable range, not just anywhere "in spec."


One of the tires that has been on the rear for a while, has slight uneven wear on the mid-outside, almost like positive camber, could be that it was just on that particular side of the car for a while, so I'd at least like it checked.

 

[tommygunn]

Discount Tire is supposedly a good place to go. Walmart isn't a bad choice, either.

The place you go now seems like the best deal if they include the alignment.

As for tires for your Forte, I'd recommend either the Dunlop Signature II or the Kumho Ecsta LX Platinum.

 

[Randy_R]

Last year I bought two sets of tires at Tire Rack and had them shipped to a local shop for installation. They are a great source for information even if you don't buy from them. You pay the shop for the install, valves, balancing, and lifetime rotations if you want them.

I got Firestone Destination LE's for my Silverado and General Altimax RT43 for my AWD VUE. Both were fairly new models and came with $50 rebates. Almost every brand has a stinker for every 'premium tire' that they offer. I knew a guy thrilled about the Michelins the dealer 'through in' on his new used Cadillac. They were OEM take-offs, nothing special.

I don't get crazy about top of the line tires because I get about 30,000 on them and I want new ones anyway. They still have tread on them but they don't seem to ride as well and I don't like them in bad weather. I haven't had alignment problems, even with all the potholes around here and I do my own rotations.

I had a couples sets of Coopers and they were great. I have Bridgestone Blizzaks, too. Ever heard of Carnegie? Fisk, Douglass? Had them, too. Good Luck.

 

[y_p_w]

I've bought from Tire Rack a couple of times. The first time I had them shipped directly to one of their preferred installers. They charged maybe $15 each to install, although it would have been less if I'd bought the tires there. I figured my savings at the time made it worth it even with shipping costs. I also needed only a front-end alignment since the rear was in spec. So the tire shop got a little bit more in business than an install.

I remembering ordering tires again from Tire Rack, although I wasn't sure where I'd have them installed. I had them shipped to work, where we had a storage room that could accommodate almost anything up to the size of major appliances. I was told when my shipment arrived and I stashed them in my trunk to get them installed. There were actually places near work that would do it. I think my savings offset the cost of installation. I do recall my boss coming up to me, telling me that he heard I had tires sent to the office. I thought maybe I was in trouble, but he was just asking me what the experience was like and if the cost savings justified the effort.

Right now it seems like there's far more competition on price, and the shipping costs aren't as competitive. Even for pricey tires I can't justify using Tire Rack. The $55 for shipping and the additional cost to install offsets the relatively small price differences I find these days.

 

[yvon_la]

I dont think brand mather anymore,just put exactly proper width and your set . corp tend to cheat on width and its legal,so read what your rim say,or measure from inside lip to inside lip and mmake sure thread is same width ,for balancing?love sell a plastic powder kit with special air valve just make sure to know legal max for your tire size (yep it is regulated)then dump your weight in plastic powder in tire install special valve and voila balanced (good till about 70 mph

 

[Kira]

People have mentioned the "moving element" you were talking about.
I want to meet someone who tried it. Sounds interesting.
Can it work for automobile tires?

Every Continental tire I've ever owned was good.
I love the pair of Cooper CS4 I bought from a friend.
A set of used Bridgestone G-009 I bought from an old man were fantastic!
Then I was greatly disappointed when my new "80,000 mile" Bridgestone Turanza with Serenity tires delivered 51,000 miles.
They wore straight and true.
They were called a touring tire when I bought them and a performance tire when I complained about the poor mileage.
Apparently you need documented rotations (which I do myself) to begin any mileage conversation.
A softer layer of rubber is lain within the tire which hardens with time and supposedly delivers good handling as the tire ages and wears down.
Horse manure!
DO NOT BUY TRICK TIRES!
Bridgestone and their Space Shuttle tires can drop dead in front of me.
I'll never patronize their company again. Kira