As National Car Care month approaches, April is a popular time for Americans to focus on vehicle maintenance and replace worn out tires. Choosing the right tires for your vehicle can be strenuous and difficult, but making an informed decision promotes safety, performance and fuel economy.

According to the Hankook Tire Gauge Index, there are several factors that influence a driver's choice of tires as 38% of Americans purchase the same tires that were already on the vehicle, while the remaining 62% of Americans are evenly split on choosing the best price (31%) and the dealer recommended product (31%).

The importance of tire price is further reflected by participation in discount programs as half (55%) of drivers have taken advantage of a rebate when buying new tires. Further, one-in-10 Americans have purchased tires through a rebate only to store them for future use.

Measuring Your Miles

Opinions are varied as to when to replace tires. Fifty-nine percent of Americans believe new tires should last over 25,000 miles, while 41% believe new tires last less than that, according to the Gauge. This contrast might arise from how drivers determine they need new tires, as 65% of drivers only purchase new tires when the tread looks worn. While the eye test can help indicate if you do need to replace your tires, utilizing the Tread Wear Indicator on the bottom of the grooves can more accurately measure the tread depth and determine if you actually need new tires.

Reviewing The Rubber

When shopping for a new car, tires have an impact on vehicle purchase decisions. The Hankook Gauge Index found that for over one-third (36%) of Americans, the brand of tires on a vehicle influences their overall purchasing decision, indicating the importance of original equipment partnerships and fitments.

The Hankook Tire Gauge Index is a quarterly survey of Americans that uncovers their attitudes and opinions about all things related to driving. The latest installment of the survey, conducted from February 17th to February 19th, polled 953 randomly selected American drivers.

Tagged: Report

Hankook Tire reports on what's driving tire purchasing habits