What Are the Best Tires for My Car and When Should I Buy Tires?

Did the dealership or quick lube shop tell you your vehicle needs tires, or were you visiting your brother and he looked at the tires on your SUV and said they need replacing? Being we live in the Midwest, we all know how troubling our weather and roads can be throughout the year.  Brakes and tires are critical to you and your passenger’s safety, comfort, and peace of mind. If your tires are old or low on tread, and you’ve likely been putting off the investment of tire replacement (we’ve all been there) you may want to consider getting a new set before it’s too late. Don’t wait for a blowout or hydroplaning!  Many people can feel overwhelmed and worry about all of the types of tires available and don’t know what the best option is for their vehicle and their needs. That’s why we exist. We are your local tire experts for Steger & New Lenox, Illinois along with Schererville & Crown Point, Indiana.

Buying tires doesn’t have to be a daunting task when you’re equipped with the proper knowledge and guidance! Here at Scott’s U-Save Tires & Auto Repair, our 40+ years of tire experience make us the perfect partner to assist with all your tire-buying questions and needs. Our team of tire experts help guide and provide options for any budget available in Steger, IL (60475), New Lenox, IL (60451), Schererville, IN (46375), and Crown Point, IN (46307).

When to Buy New Tires

This is an easy question and has an incredibly straightforward answer. You need to buy tires before your vehicle is unsafe. With that said, there are times of the year for rebates, we do charity drives offering up to $100 off tires, and we offer specials like free tire installation. But again, when you need tires you need tires. Don’t wait until a catastrophe happens to you and your passengers. We feel most any time of the year is a good time to buy tires. Your tires don’t wear out overnight. So, once you know you have a little bit of time left on your current set of tires, start asking our tire experts about upcoming, specials, rebates, and charity donations. Some of the best tire deals around are found at our locations in Steger, IL (60475), New Lenox, IL (60451), Schererville, IN (46375), and Crown Point, IN (46307).

If you’re interested in finding rebates to help you save money on the tire buying process, check out or blog on rebate usage and redemption here!

Tire Styles

It seems once you become comfortable with a certain type of tire a new style is released or a new update has arrived. We feel you. It takes us some studying to stay updated on tires. However, there really are a few basics. You have All-Weather tires that compare to All-Season tires. And then you have Summer tires versus Winter tires. Unless you have a high-performance vehicle, or love to really tear up the streets during the Summer, it will be a bit of a hassle either have two sets of tires and wheels or having to swap out tires twice a year when the temperature drops or rises.

For the most part, drivers around Illinois and Indiana either go with All-Weather or All-Season. The advancements in All-Weather tires have come so far our owners only run All-Weather tires year-round on their family vehicles. Let our tire experts explain what each style will do for your vehicle and driving habits when driving around Steger, IL, New Lenox, IL, Schererville, IN, and Crown Point, IN.

Tire Brands

You’ve come to the right place when talking tire brands. Scott’s U-Save Tires & Auto Repair is one of the last remaining family-owned tire superstores. We represent over 22 different tire brands and have access to top tire brands along with budget-friendly tire imports. Some of the most common brands in in Steger, IL (60475), New Lenox, IL (60451), Schererville, IN (46375), and Crown Point, IN (46307) are listed below:

Michelin

The “cream of the crop” of tires (some would also argue restaurant reviews).  Founded in 1889, Michelin is the number one ranked, tier-one tire brand. The brand has been around for over one hundred years and spends nearly $1 Billion each year on engineering. Michelin tires are known for consistency in performance, quality, and supreme traction no matter the road conditions.  They make a vast variety of tires, for any and all of your needs.  They even make tires for space shuttles! There are die-hard Michelin fans who will not put any other tires on their vehicles other than Michelins. Michelin Tires may come with a higher price tag than some other competitors, but once you feel the difference, you may not want to go back to any other brand. You’ll want to invest in these tires!

Continental

This is another top-tier brand that has been around for many years.  They offer a wide range of tires for any consumer.  This includes sports cars, family cars, fleet vehicles, and even motorcycles. There’s something for everyone! Continental is committed to top-tier performance and sustainability. Continental believes in being environmentally conscientious which is a huge plus.  You definitely receive excellent value for your money with Continental Tires. They offer high quality along with industry-leading coverage.  

BFGoodrich

If you’ve ever seen any off-roading trucks, Jeeps, etc with large, aggressive tires, chances are those were BFGoodrich tires! Not only is the BFG brand well known for its impeccable off-roading performance and reliability but it’s also owned by the renowned brand Michelin!  This isn’t BFGoodrich’s only claim to fame.  Prior to Michelin buying BFGoodrich in 1988, you’d see their famous white raised-lettered tires in many iconic films and had quite the cinematic legacy.  Aside from those fun facts, BFG has for decades provided a great quality tire whether you’re climbing the trails or driving to work.

Uniroyal

Another brand owned by Michelin. This is a mid-level tier tire that will provide you with quality you know you can trust, and a price point that won’t break the bank.  Not only that, but their mileage warranties are hard to beat!  You can’t go wrong with their reliable performance, they’re definitely worth checking out.

General

This brand is owned by Continental, so you know you’re getting an extremely well-made and reliable tire. Just like BFGoodrich, General Tires continues to stand the test of time as they provide a good quality product with a great cost to match.

Cooper

When you think American-made tire you really can only think Cooper Tire. It is the last American brand known for durability and trusted performance. Cooper was recently purchased by Goodyear; combining two century-old brands. Cooper has built a strong reputation for producing tires that drivers can trust.  Not only that, but there are many options to choose from for daily driving including many aggressive trucks and Jeep tires.

Sailun

While you may have never heard of the Sailun brand, Sailun is a top 20 tire manufacturer worldwide. The company produces over 40 million passenger and light truck tires per year and sells them in more than 150 countries. Sailun has ties to the tire equipment design used on top tier-one tires. Sailun tires are an economical tire you can trust.

Add-Ons to Improve Life/Performance of New Tires

You’ve chosen the best tires that fit your needs and you’re ready to get back on the road.  Great, here are a few additional things to consider to improve the life and performance of your tires. You’ll want to take care of your investment.

Tires Rotations

This is crucial.  You should consider getting your tires rotated every 6,000 miles.  Most tire shops, including Scott’s U-Save Tires & Auto Repair, provide free tire rotations for the longevity of the tires that you purchase through us!  How great is that? Tire rotations prolong your tires by ensuring they are wearing evenly. If you don’t rotate your tires, you could be sacrificing tire mileage.

Wheel Alignments

Here at Scott’s U-Save Tires & Auto Repair, we check your alignment for free with the purchase of two or more tires. The best part is, if the alignment is needed, you receive the wheel alignment at a discounted rate! Alignments ensure that you get even wear on your tires by adjusting the suspension components.  

Wheel alignments and tire rotations also ensure you meet your tire warranty specifications. If you don’t perform an alignment or rotate your tires the manufacturer may not warranty any issues. 

Valve Stems

Replacing the tire valve stems is also an important item. Just like your tires; over time, rubber valve stems deteriorate leading to air leaks.  which can lead to uneven tire wear, too.  Changing the valve stems when getting new tires is a good way to make sure you protect your tire investment!

Final Thoughts

Now that you’re almost a tire expert, put your newly acquired knowledge to work and help friends and family know where to start their process of buying new tires. Plus, you can always rest assured the tire experts at Scott’s U-Save Tire and Auto Repair in Steger, IL (60475), New Lenox, IL (60451), Schererville, IN (46375), and Crown Point, IN (46307) are here to guide, advise and provide any driver with options to not only fit their driving habits but budget too. Budget-friendly tires need some love too. Give us a call or shop tires online today!