A used tire is worth buying only if it passes an inspection: even tread across the full width, no bulges or sidewall cracks, no plug or patch in the shoulder, and a sound inner liner. Detroit Tire Shop in Detroit, MI can talk through what to look for. Call with your tire size before you drive over.
Used tires are a gamble you can mostly win by looking closely. The tire's tread depth matters less than how it got that way. Even wear across the whole face means the car it came off was aligned and properly inflated. A tire worn down one edge was run out of alignment, and it will carry that history onto your car.
Call Detroit Tire Shop at the Grand River Ave shop with your size from the sidewall, and ask what is on hand before you make the trip. Availability in a given size changes, so a quick call saves a wasted drive.
What should I check on a used tire before it goes on my car?
Run your hand across the tread in both directions. Feathered or saw-toothed edges point to a suspension or alignment problem on the previous car. Then look at the sidewalls for cracking, bubbling, or a bulge, any of which means internal damage and should end the conversation.
Ask to see the inside of the tire if it is off the wheel. A plug or patch in the shoulder or sidewall area is a poor repair. A patch in the center of the tread is a normal one. Also find the date code on the sidewall, because rubber ages whether or not the tread wears.
When is a used tire the wrong call?
Skip used if you need a matched set on an all-wheel-drive vehicle. A single tire with a different circumference from the other three can strain the drivetrain, so the new one has to match the old ones in wear as well as size.
Skip it too if the tire will carry a heavy load or tow. Your load rating has to be met by a tire whose history you cannot fully verify, and that is where new rubber earns its price.
Are used tires safe?
They can be, if the sidewalls are intact, the wear is even, and the date code is not old. A tire with a bulge, exposed cord, or a bad repair is not safe at any price. Inspect it in person before you commit.
Do used tires still need to be mounted and balanced?
Yes. A used tire goes through the same mounting and balancing as a new one, and a poorly balanced tire will shimmy at highway speed. Ask for balancing to be included when you book the install.
Can I check what used sizes are available before driving over?
Call the shop with the size printed on your sidewall and ask what is available. Availability depends on what is on hand when you call.