Random Thoughts

[CCoburn]

I used to travel extensively for work the first few years I get the best tires I could made sure I rotated them etc.

Then I hit a rough patch and money was tight, and found a local used tire guy. By the time bought a second set in my mind I was saying those lasted for a real long time. I went back and checked and in comparison to my higher-priced dealership prestige brand, I was getting close enough mileage and wear and tear why pay so much more?

Plus he set me up with a plug kit and I got where I could fix most popped tires if I could get to it without even taking the tire off? If you drive for a living and are on a schedule it's invaluable being able to fix it quick and keep going to the next appointment. 

As long as you watch your tires and rotate and balance them when needed. Next, rip off designer engine oils...

I probably average about 75 miles a day on typical backroad conditions with some occasional dirt road driving. The car came with Continentals which are around $200 a piece, and I ran those until the metal threads were becoming exposed on the inner sidewalls, and replaced the two front first with a couple of closeouts that were around $60 a piece.

Lately I just buy used/closeouts at a fraction of the price. I have gotten three flats over the past year and a half though, but this is likely more to do with road conditions than the tires themselves, plus I'm running these low profiles at 235-40-18, but I'm unsure exactly how much of a factor that actually is.

I was adjusting tire pressure a few days ago and I noticed the front right has a small bubble in the outer sidewall which probably does have more to do with tire quality. I have an appt. in a few hours to get that replaced with another closeout at $62.

I was thinking about some sort of "plug kit". The last flat appeared to have a puncture on the inner sidewall and at the time I was even thinking if I could just jam something in there while periodically adding air it might slow the leak enough so I could make it home without calling AAA.

I've since upgraded my AAA plan back to the AAA Plus which covers up to 100 miles of towing where the other was only 5 miles.