Tire Shop in San Jose: What Should I Ask When Buying Tires?

Find the Best Tires for Your Vehicle With These Questions

At Bruce's Tire, we feature a fully stocked tire service center to handle all of your vehicle's tire-related needs, along with certified experts to provide the trustworthy installation services you're looking for. However, we understand how daunting it can be to purchase a new set of tires. Because there are so many options available, we know how confusing it can be when it's time to replace your tires.

As tire experts, we're happy to provide insight on how to choose the perfect set. Come with us as we explore a few questions that you should ask when buying your next set of tires, and be sure to schedule an appointment to see for yourself why drivers trust our tire shop for all of their auto-related needs.

Why Ask Questions in the First Place?

Let's face it, nobody really ever thinks about their tires until they're standing in an auto repair shop and a mechanic is asking them what type of tire they'd like on their vehicle. Some drivers never think about the type of tire they'd like and are quite flustered when it comes to making a decision. Some drivers automatically aim to purchase the same type of tire that came on their vehicle, while other drivers may have other priorities.

Most tire purchasing decisions are based on one of the following factors:

• Tire type
• Budget
• Use
• Tire life
• Features

However, our tire shop in San Jose can show you how to make the best decision for your needs and budget.

Our Recommended Questions

Here are a few questions that we recommend you ask yourself when purchasing your next set of tires. Being able to answer these questions will help guide you and our mechanics to find the perfect set of tires that match your driving style, your expectations, and your budget:

“Am I unhappy with my current tires?”

This is one of the first questions that we recommend our customers ask themselves. If you are perfectly happy with your current set of tires and have no complaints, then there is no need to seek out a different set of tires. However, if your tires have been discontinued or are unavailable, we recommend seeking out a tire that closely matches the performance characteristics of your current set of tires. This means finding a tire with the same type, size, speed rating, and other features.

“What type of weather or terrain will I be battling?”

Asking yourself what type of weather or terrain you'll be facing is an important question that will help determine the type of tire you should purchase. Most vehicles, including sedans, crossovers, and SUVs, will use an all-season tire. This is because we experience mild weather year-round in San Jose and don't see weather challenges that involve ice or snow.

However, if you're purchasing a set of tires specifically to drive to the mountains such as Tahoe, you may want to consider a set of winter tires. Similarly, for those who go off-roading and are looking for the most traction, you may want to consider a set of all-terrain tires. Some drivers prefer to purchase a set of tires specific to their needs simply because these tires are not always suitable for year-round use.

“What is my budget?”

Budget is a major factor that often determines the type of tire a person will purchase. Many drivers will start off intending to purchase an exact replacement for their OEM (original equipment manufacturer)  set of tires, only to suffer from sticker shock when the price of their tires is stated.

If you're happy overall with the performance of your tires, but the price is a bit daunting, feel free to communicate this with our experts at Bruce’s Tire & Automotive. Our tire shop in San Jose can find a comparable tire replacement at a price that fits your budget. We also offer the best tire deals and auto financing options.

“Is there any road hazard coverage?”

Because some tires can require a significant financial investment, it's important to get insurance to protect your tires. One question that you always want to ask is whether the tires you're purchasing are eligible for road hazard coverage. This helpful tire insurance guards against unfortunate events involving your tire, such as:

• Blowouts
• Punctures
• Slow leaks
• Valve stem damage
• Damage from potholes

With our road hazard tire protection plan, unfortunate events such as pothole damage and tire punctures will be covered. This means you'll pay a small deductible while enjoying a tire replacement or tire repair service that restores your tire to safe driving conditions.

“How do I maintain my tires?”

This is an important question that many drivers don't always ask, and it ends up costing them money in the long run. Many drivers will purchase a new set of tires but fail to get the most life out of each set because they don't properly maintain them. Here are a few tips that we recommend to properly maintain your tires and get the most life out of each set while optimizing your fuel economy:

• Tire rotation — every 7,500-10,000 miles
• Wheel alignment — every two to three years (or sooner if you notice symptoms of tire misalignment)
• Tire pressure check — once per month
• Tire balance — every six months

Keep a Firm Grip on the Road at Bruce’s Tire & Automotive

At Bruce's Tire & Automotive, our San Jose tire shop is here for all of your tire-related needs. Whether your vehicle needs tire replacement services or you're looking for trustworthy tire maintenance services, our experts are here for all of your vehicle's specific needs. We perform tire services on all makes and models of vehicles and strive to provide five-star services at excellent prices.

Not only are our mechanics each ASE-certified and experts in performing tire maintenance, repair, and replacement services, but we also strive to provide great prices. Our tire shop in San Jose not only features competitive pricing but also offers tire service coupons that help you save money while enjoying five-star service. Schedule an appointment at Bruce's Tire & Automotive, and trust the tire experts of San Jose to take care of all your tire-related needs.