With prices for new tires headed up, many motorists try to get every mile they can from their tires, and that's affecting the availability of good used tires, especially older models.
"When you have an older Blazer with 15-inch (wheels) and you're looking for a 235-75-15, and that's like a really common size 15, they just don't come in like they used to," Bentoski said.
Drivers are trying to save money wherever possible. "Well, if I bought four new tires for my truck here, it would be right around $700," Ed Blake said. "If I just buy them two at a time here, I get them for $100 for the pair and get them mounted and balanced and everything. That's my motivation. Money."
"It's over $100 for a good new tire. I'm getting a good used tire today for $35, and it's going to last a while," Mike Seeley explained.
There are some things to look for to make sure you're getting a good used tire and a safe one..
"You want to push down on the sides and make sure there are no splits in it. Push between the treads, make sure it doesn't split apart. Feel the tread on it. If you can feel a waviness to it, it's not going to ride very good," Bentoski said.
He says if a tire is decent, and it's plugged or patched properly, there shouldn't be a problem.
New or used, your safety that of your loved ones should always come first, especially with Mid-Michigan's variety of slippery driving conditions all year long.
