Sooner or later, you are going to need to replace the tires on your car, and if you're on a fixed income, you can choose to buy used wheels and tires - instead of shelling out a lot of money for new ones. Places like small family-operated tire centers, and junk yards where you pull your own parts, are godsends when it comes to finding great deals.

But in looking for good used wheels, what do you need to know to make sure that you choose the right kind of tire for your vehicle, and confirm that the great price you're getting is really a bargain? Keep reading for further information.

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 tires and wheels, 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.

If you're on your own as far as having to check the tread yourself, there is an easy, and fun, way to do it. Just take a common Lincoln-head penny, and insert it into the tread, all over the tire, in different locations. Make sure the penny has the head of Lincoln facing down. If you can't see his face or head because it's covered by tread, then the odds are that this is a good tire. But if any part of his face or head is showing, back away from it - and look elsewhere.

If you are a woman, and don't have much experience in anything automotive, it might be wise to take your spouse, or a male friend along with you, when you go to check out tires. The Mom and Pop used tires shops should have staff on site that are knowledgeable in the tires they stock, and can answer questions about what will work best for your car.

However, things change when you go to one of those "pick and pull" places, and you are on your own as far as locating, pulling, hauling, and installing the wheels are concerned. So, by this, it's easy to see that if you don't know what to look for as far as "drivability" in a wheel versus "non-drivability" is concerned, you might just drive yourself into a big mess.

So, remember that you can find good used chrome wheels for your car, but just remember that there is a different set of rules in making a good choice. You don't have to be an auto-mechanic in real life...just learn what to look for, before you buy tires wheels. You don't want to end up in an accident over a minor detail that could have easily been prevented.