You think you may need new tyres, but you don't want to have some slick tyre salesman sell you overpriced tyres you can't afford and don't really need. By following a few simple tips, you can make a safe, economical purchase.

Do You Really Need New Tyres?

Although the tyre salesman may be convinced you need new tyres and tell you that driving on your present set of tyres is endangering you and your family's safety, there are five warning signs you can check for yourself, to make sure he's not exaggerating. Look for these signs before going for a tyre fitting.

You need new tyres if any of the following warning signs are evident:

1. The tread is less than 1.6 millimetres in depth.

2. The car vibrates when driving.

3. Flat rubber tread bars appear perpendicular to the tread.

4. The sidewalls are cracked or withered.

5. The tyres have bulges or blisters.

How to Select New Tyres

If your tyres have one or more of these warning signs, you are driving in possibly dangerous circumstances. The trick to buying new tyres is to find tyres that support the weight of your vehicle, without buying too much tyre for your car.

Before you go for a tyre fitting, check the vehicle's Owner Manual. The Owner's Manual will tell you exactly what kind of tires is recommended for your vehicle. Take these recommendations seriously as the manufacturer knows what kind of tyres will work best with your car.

Look at your current tyres to see what you already have. You may just want to buy the same type of tyres if you have been happy with their performance, and they meet the recommendations of the Owner's Manual. Most tyres have standard measurement conventions that are printed directly on the side of the tyres themselves. Jot down the width, aspect ratio and wheel diameter as printed on the side of the tire, usually to the left of the logo. Compare these figures to what is written in the Owner's Manual to ensure you are reading the correct numbers in the correct places and to evaluate how your current set of tyres may differ from your car manufacturer's recommendations.

As long as the tyres you purchase match these specifications, they will fit on your car and allow you to drive safely. All other things considered equal, the price difference is based on brand recognition and warranty.

When choosing a brand, consider how many more miles your car will likely last and if you plan to sell it in the near future. Putting the most expensive tyres on a car you want to sell is not your best investment when a serviceable set of tyres will be more than adequate.

Likewise, if you are not planning on keeping the car for a long time, or if you are planning on selling it, you probably do not want to pay extra for an extended tyre warranty.