Hooper’s Tire Outlet Is Your Go-To Store

Times are tough. Budgets are being affected by heightened gas prices and inflation rates. If you need a set of tires for your vehicle, consider used tires. It can save you a lot of money.

Below is a list of three crucial factors to look for when purchasing used tires. 

  1. Tread - The tread on a new tire is about 12/32 of an inch. You want to start looking for tires when the tread on your car tire is 4/22 of an inch. Before buying, review the tread depth procedure to be sure it’s time to buy. 

  2. Age - Confirm before buying that the tire is in good condition. How much wear and tear has the tire been through and how much life is left? You need to be sure the tires are safe.

Most manufacturers say that after six years of consistent driving, the average rubber tire starts to break down and dry out due to sun exposure, weather, and road conditions. At this point, look for cracks and dryness. According to the US Department of Transportation, ten years is the longest you should own a tire, and even that is with continual, diligent maintenance. 

FYI - To determine how old a tire is, tires manufactured after 2000 have the week and year of being made. 

3. Tire Seams - Once the remaining tread and age are determined, check out the seams. Look for splits, patches, plugs, or bubbles. The tire might not hold air well if you see any of these. Always check the seams thoroughly because a damaged seam can lead to a blowout.

For a complete inspection of your current tires, bring them into Hooper’s Tire Outlet and we will do the work for you. We’ll let you know if it is in fact, time to buy. If you buy used tires from us, you can save anywhere from 30-50% vs. buying new.

Here are some interesting facts to think about:

  • Not only will you save a ton of money by buying pre-owned tires, but there are great benefits to the planet. Replacing tires with pre-owned ones causes less waste by decreasing the number of tires in our landfills. Unfortunately for those of us that are “green”, it’s estimated that a whopping 290 million tires are discarded in this country every year. On the other hand, 30 million used tires are sold annually in the US. 

  • The Uniform Tire Quality Grade Standards (UTQG) rating informs you how fast the tire will tend to wear out. The smaller the number, the faster it will be. 

  • Before purchasing, look at the history of the tire, ie. What weather was it exposed to? Were they stored and what conditions were they in? What is the age of the tire? Some improper repairs can make a tire look brand new so beware. 

 Hooper’s Tire Outlet in Rochester, NY and Syracuse, NY is the place to go where we’ll guide you through the process of purchasing quality used tires for YOUR car. Contact us today!