Tire Buyer Beware, says Chris Coulter of Curry’s Auto Service

Dec. 17, 2009 - PRLog -- Sterling, VA - Chris Coulter, co-owner of Curry’s Auto, was interviewed on Washington, DC’s Fox 5 News on December 8, 2009.  Reporter Melanie Alnwick contacted Coulter to shed some light on how to get the most value for tire purchases.

Coulter, a 20-year veteran of the auto industry, pointed out that tires have become larger and safer in recent years.  In the1980s, when Coulter first started as a tire installer, a 13-inch wheel was standard. Today some cars have 20-inch wheels (http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/money/tire-prices-fox-5-money-120809).

The Fox 5 segment was a follow-up to a Wall Street Journal report on recent increases in tire prices – as much as a 25% from 2005 to 2009. According to Jonathan Welsh’s article in the Journal (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704252004574456981150147524-email.html), “One reason for the price surge is tire makers’ push to equip new cars with higher-profit specialty tires that can run at higher speeds and feature such high-performance traits as short, stiff sidewalls, which provide firmer handling. As a result, more vehicles like the commuter sedan and family minivan are arriving from the factory with tires once seen primarily on sports cars like the Porsche Carrera or Chevrolet Corvette.”

“The larger the diameter of the wheel, the smaller the profile or aspect ratio of the tire which allows more precise handling because less shock is absorbed through the tire,” says Coulter. “The downside would be this lack of absorption, which makes the tire and wheel more fragile with imperfections in the road. “

For Alnwick’s interview, Coulter was able to find a tire for a Chrysler mini-van from the mid-1980s, which is small and relatively thin. This tire costs about $60. The tire for a 2009 Chrysler mini-van is “much beefier,” Coulter said. “As a result, it handles a whole lot better; it will turn better and brake better.” It costs around $150.

Coulter advises consumers to be more aware of the type of tires they are buying and to match the tire with their driving patterns and local driving conditions. He recommends all-season tires for drivers in the Mid-Atlantic region. ”It really doesn’t snow that much around here,” he says. “Sure, snow tires are better in snow and ice, but how often does that really happen?  Is it worth an extra set of wheels and tires for the three times a year it snows?”

Coulter also suggests some other questions consumers need to consider in buying tires:

1. How long are you going to keep the car? If you plan to keep your car for several years, you might want to spend more money for a tire with longer tread-wear. It may be more expensive up front but a better buy in terms of price-per mile.

2. Do you drive in rain, sleet and snow? Again, a good all season tire should suffice

3. If you are driving a high-performance car, such as a Porsche, Corvette, Viper, BMW, Mercedes or Ferrari, you’ll need tires that give you the best traction.

There are many consumer groups both on line and in print such as Consumer Reports to do initial investigation, but nothing beats the opinion from an automotive center that you trust.  Those individuals should know your car and what works best for different situations.  Let them know your concerns such as price, longevity, performance and aesthetics.

About Curry’s Auto Service
Curry’s Auto Service (http://www.currysauto.com/) is one of the largest independent auto service and repair shops in Northern Virginia, with five convenient locations: Chantilly, Great Falls/Reston, Falls Church, Gainesville and Arlington. The technicians at Curry’s Auto do technical repairs and diagnostics for which many of the franchise outlets do not have the expertise. They also perform routine maintenance like oil changes, transmission flushes, tire sales and Virginia State safety and emissions inspections. Curry’s technicians can repair all makes and models, including race prep and performance modifications. Curry’s Auto Service has received the highest AAA ratings in the country for customer satisfaction.  

Tire Review Magazine recently named Curry’s Auto Service one of three finalists for its national Top Shop Awards. Curry’s Auto Service was the only automotive shop in the Washington, D.C, area to receive this designation. Now in its third year, the Top Shop Awards honor the “best of the best” independent tire dealers in the United States and Canada. Curry’s Auto Service was selected as a finalist from nearly 100 entries.

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Curry’s Auto Service (http://www.currysauto.com/) is one of the largest independent auto service and repair shops in Northern Virginia, with five convenient locations: Chantilly, Great Falls/Reston, Falls Church, Gainesville and Arlington. The technicians at Curry’s Auto do technical repairs and diagnostics for which many of the franchise outlets do not have the expertise.

Tire Review Magazine recently named Curry’s Auto Service one of three finalists for its national Top Shop Awards. Curry’s Auto Service was the only automotive shop in the Washington, D.C, area to receive this designation. Now in its third year, the Top Shop Awards honor the “best of the best” independent tire dealers in the United States and Canada. Curry’s Auto Service was selected as a finalist from nearly 100 entries.