At some point, your automobile is going to need one or more of its tires replaced - so, if you're trying to watch your budget, you might want to look into getting used chrome rims, instead of new ones. Many times, you can find some great deals at your local "family" tire shops, or at wrecking yards where you "pick and pull" the car parts you need, yourself.

But what should you look for in a used tire, so you can be sure that your "bargain" price includes quality - as far as safety and the performance of your car is concerned? Keep reading for a brief summary.

The main thing to remember is that a car's wheels should always be the same size. For the rear of the car, as long as a tire is in decent condition as far as tread goes, and it's the same size as the rest of your rims and tires, it should work fine for you. However, there are slightly different rules of thumb for the front wheels. Because the front tires affect the way your car handles on the road - and the wrong ones can damage your vehicle, and even cause an accident, in some cases - you want any new tires you get to also have exactly the same tread as the rest - and if possible, also be of the same brand.

If you have to inspect a tire yourself, you're going to need to know what to look for as far as the tread that's left on it. Before you purchase it, look for clues, such as missing rubber from the belts, and rubber with many numerous cracks. You also don't want to see any steel showing through the rubber. These are all signs of a worn out tire that doesn't belong on your car. In addition, you want to stay clear of any tire that has been patched or shows sidewall damage.

Here is a fun way for a novice to check the tread on a used tire. You do this with an ordinary Lincoln-head penny. Insert the penny into the tread on the tire, with the president's head facing downward. Make sure to do this in different places on the tire. If his face and head are still covered by the tread in all the places you insert it, then the odds are it's OK to put it on your car. But, if you can see the president's face or head at any of the insertion locations, put that tire back, and keep looking.

And, if you're female, and you don't have any experience in automotive repair, then take your dad or spouse along with you when you go tire shopping. At the family run operations, it isn't such a big deal if you're by yourself, as they should have staff there that have a good handle on the tire business, and will be happy to help you find what you need.

But, if the place you go happens to be the junkyard - it's a whole different ballgame. You alone, are responsible for finding your own tires, disengaging them from the often-rusty vehicle once you find them, hauling them to the check out, and then installing them on your car, yourself. So, it should be clear that if you don't know what you're doing, you could be asking for trouble.

As you can see, there are quality used alloy wheels out there that you can get at great prices - yet there are factors to remember in choosing one. You don't have to be an automobile technician to know how to find them, you just have to learn a few basic rules before you hit the ground running. Remember, the safety of you, and that of your car, has a lot to do with the tires you put on it.