Used Tire Guy has the largest selection in Raleigh, NC of custom wheels, new tires & used tires. We have more than 20 years in the used tire business.  We have become Raleigh's largest supplier of inspected, pressure tested, quality used tires.  Our used tires are guaranteed for 30 days. We specialize in low profile tires, computer balancing & tire rotation. In addition to used tires, we also have a wide selection of new tires available.  We have custom wheels in stock.  We are North Carolina's tire center!  Call today or visit us in Raleigh, NC!

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Check out our custom wheels!

Your safety, as well as driving enjoyment over the next years and thousands of miles will be determined by this decision. Contact us to find the right tires for your needs!

 

You might have a lot of questions..

"How many tires do I need?"
"What is the right size for my vehicle?"
"Do I need summer tires, winter tires, all-season tires?"
"How do I compare price vs. value?"
"When should I replace my tires?"

"How many tires do I need?"
Since tires affect the personality and performance of your vehicle, all four tires should be as identical as possible or handling problems may arise. If your tires don't match, it is possible that one end of your vehicle won't respond as quickly or completely as the other, making it more difficult to control.

"What is the right size for my vehicle?"
A tire's first requirement is that it must be able to carry the weight of your vehicle. No matter how good a tire you select, if its capabilities are "overworked" just carrying the load, it will have little reserve capacity to help your vehicle respond to quick emergency. So when you are in the selection process, make certain that your new tire's size is designed to carry the weight of your vehicle! Don't undersize.

Do I need summer tires, winter tires, all-season tires?
Do you drive your car only in sunshine, or also through rain and snow? Do you drive your light truck on the road, off the road, or are you the one responsible for clearing the land to build the roads? To successfully meet each of these driving conditions requires a different type of tire. Ask yourself these questions to determine which performance category you should choose from: WHAT IS THE WORST DRIVING CONDITION I WILL ENCOUNTER? WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL DRIVING CONDITIONS I WILL ENCOUNTER? BALANCING THE REQUIREMENTS OF YOUR DRIVING CONDITIONS. 

How do I compare price vs. value?

Why is it that the price of fuel for our vehicle seems relatively inexpensive while the cost of its tires seems high? (Of course you already know that the Tire Rack tries to keep your tire costs as low as possible!) If we keep track of our total costs we will find that typical total fuel costs for just 10 to 20 thousand miles of driving actually exceed our tire costs. And believe us, we've found that the quality and performance of our tires has a lot more to do with our driving satisfaction than our fuel does.

When should I replace my tires?
Find out if your tires pass the "Penny Test."
Place a penny into several tread grooves across the tire. If part of Lincoln's head is always covered by the tread, you have more than 2/32" of tread depth remaining. 

Shopping for used tires is best done when you can see and feel the tires.  Determining the true condition of the tire is easier when you can run your hands along the tire, inspect the inside and measure the tread. 

Buying Used Tires:

Step 1
Check what size tire you need before shopping.  This information is found on the driver's side door panel or in the owner's manual.  If the tires currently on the car differ from the manufacturer's suggested tire size, buy a used tire that matches the size currently on the car. 
Step 2
Inspect the used tires for uneven tire wear.  Check for this by running your hand along the tire and feeling for tread that rises and dips.  Extreme, uneven tire wear makes the tire appear flatter on one side than the other side. 
Step 3
Look inside the used tires for evidence of repairs, such as plugs or patches.  If a tire has had too many repairs done to it, buy a different tire. 
Step 4
Measure tread depth with a tread gauge or a penny.  Take a penny and turn it upside down.  Place it in between the treads.  The tread should come to at least the top of Lincoln's head for minimum tread depth on a used tire. 
Step 5
Run your hand along the inner edge of the used tire and feel for tears.  If the inner edge, also known as the bead, is ripped, the tire won't seal properly along the rim. 

Buying New Tires:

It's time for new tires.  You're a smart consumer, so you want to be sure you get the most tire for you money.  The emergence of a number of quality tire manufacturers in the '90s has broadened the market on tires and kept the prices low while quality and innovation continue to improve.  These days there are more tire choices than miracle weight loss programs but with a little refresher course on tires, you can trim away the fat and get yourself a set of fairly-priced, safe and durable tires for your car, truck or SUV. 

All Those Numbers and Letters
The side of your tire may look like an ancient hieroglyphic text to you.  Don't sweat it. 

Each of the markings stamped into the side of a tire have a meaning.  Some of them will be important to you, some won't.  You're probably not worried about the speed rating of the tires for your Prius, but your Porsche 997 Turbo needs go-fat rubber on the road.  On the flip side, tread wear ratings are important to your hybrid, since they affect gas mileage and the effect your tires have on the environment. 

The Breakdown
As technology has advanced, the tire companies agreed upon a uniform system of describing every aspect of each tire.  Lucky for us, they all follow the same formula.  The following categories are squeezed onto the side of every tire you can buy. 

• Vehicle Application
• Tire Width
• Aspect Ratio
• Radial Designation
• Wheel Diameter
• Load Index
• Speed Rating
• The Official DOT Stuff
• Ply Construction
• Load and Pressure Limits
• Tread wear and Traction Ratings

Which Ones Matter?
You might be wondering which ratings matter to you.  Read the facts and decide for yourself.  That's why we call it empowerment, it's all about you! 

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