The Glade 4.0

So one of my tires blew last night (front driver) and aside from the hole in it there's also a deep worn gouge. All my tires need replacing, I've known that, but now I'm worried that I have something else to fix first... no point buying new tires if they're going to get trashed.

What's the deal with tires, anyway? Comparing prices is a pain in the pooper. Some places list tire-only, some list complete, and sometimes the prices changes based on how many you're getting. Obviously I need to replace the bad tire, I know I should replace the front pair as a set, and it's probably a good idea just to do all 4. I do have to use the same size, right? I can't switch to a cheaper size, because I'd have to replace the wheels too?

So far my quotes for tires

Dealership: $593 plus tax (-100 mail in rebate if I do it by the end of the month, includes mounting, alighment, and disposal) Pirelli p6 four season plus (stock)
Discount Tire: $486 plus tax (may not include alignment or checking on the wear spot) Pirelli four season plus
Discount Tire:$406 plus tax (as above) Riken Raptor ZR (cheapest tire available)
Costco: $588 plus tax (tires only, I think. ) Michelin - Pilot Exalto A/S (only tire available)
Big O: $404 plus tax, (tires only) Hankook Icebear W300 (cheapest on their site)

http://www.tirerack.com/

This is the best place to compare tires IMHO. Be sure to check out the ratings and comments from previous buyers.

As for size, any given car/tire rim requires a certain size of tire. Sometimes you can change the size up a little, but unless you know what you're doing and have a real good reason to do so, I would suggest against it.

Tire Rack also has a listing on nearby shops that will mount the tires you purchase from them, so you can purchase the tires from the Rack and then have them shipped to the local shop. Pretty handy.

It depends. What size and top speed do you need? Either way, you'll want to have balance and alignment done, am I correct in assuming it has been awhile since that was last performed on this vehicle?

_________________

Tire Rack quotes $102 per for the Pirellis, that's not much lower than elsewhere. There are a few low priced tires (Sumutomo for $69 each, plus $55 shipping) but I don't know enough to know the difference between a great price and a crappy tire.

Yeah, it's been awhile. The original tires are '205/50R16', whatever that means. Top speed? It's a little Ford Focus, I'm not racing, but I drive pretty hard.

Ford kind of **** you by putting a tire size on the Focus usually reserved for racing tires,

_________________

It''s probably my own damn fault for getting the trim level with the upgraded tires. I just looked at tires for the SE version (I have the SES) and they are about $15 cheaper for any given tire. Amusingly I need the same tire size Shel's Saab uses... I wonder if I can have his snow tires put on my front end to buy time?

My tires are 225/45/17 and I got mine for like $580 for the set, from Discount Tire. One of the cheapest tires they had.

They cost more than my rims.

One tire was worn more then others with a groove?

Then you have issues other then the tire. Probably something a simple alingment can fix.

The alignment will more than likely be expensive too, with the tire balance,sadly. See if you can get the lifetime balance if it's offered, and you can afford it.

Costco doesn't do the alignment (which it sounds like you need), but they balance and rotate for life included in the price of the tire, and the tire purchase counts toward the cash back deal (depending on membership).

_________________
"Dress cops up as soldiers, give them military equipment, train them in military tactics, tell them they’re fighting a ‘war,’ and the consequences are predictable." —Radley Balko

The dealership quote includes alignment, sounds like that's the best deal especially if I could get the car in by next week for the rebate, which sadly isn't in the cards.

Yeah, go with the dealership, unless Discount can do the alignment too. But they'd probably charge in total with the alignment about the same as the dealer ( if they can do the alignment, not all their stores can)

_________________
Women are from Hoboken, men are from Trenton. ~ Jimmy Kimmel

Sounds like that's your best bet, too bad about the rebate.

_________________
"Dress cops up as soldiers, give them military equipment, train them in military tactics, tell them they’re fighting a ‘war,’ and the consequences are predictable." —Radley Balko

It means the tire is 205 mm sidewall to sidewall (section width), sidewall height is 50% of section width, they're radial tires, made for a 16" diameter rim. Your rims will handle a variety of tire sizes, your owners manual should tell you what is okay for the vehicle. You can price out different sizes to see if you've got a cheaper alternative.

_________________

wow, thank you for explaining!