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 car wheels, 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 how do you make sure that what you're getting in a tire is really a great bargain - as far as its overall condition and how it might affect your safety, and that of your car, is concerned? Well, keep reading to find out.

The first thing to remember is that your wheels should all be the same size. If you are purchasing tires for the rear of the car, as long as it is the same size and is in good shape, you should be fine. However, in getting them for the front of the vehicle, they should also have the same tread - and, if at all possible, be the same brand as well. This is because having mismatched wheels and tires on the front of your car can alter the way it handles on the road, damage your axles - and in some cases, even cause the vehicle to flip over while you're driving on the road.

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 not quite sure if there is enough tread left on a tire, there is another way to check it yourself, with the common Lincoln head penny. You just take the penny - with President Lincoln's head facing downward - and insert it into the tread in different locations around the tire. If the tread covers his face and head, the tire has plenty of life still left, and it's probably safe to buy. But if you can see the president's face or head - put that tire down, and keep looking.

If you are a girl, then you probably aren't an expert in the field of automotive. In this case, it's a good idea to have your spouse, or boyfriend, accompany you when you're shopping for used tires. It's not so crucial at one of the "family run" tire shops, as they have people on staff that know about tires, and will help you with what you need.

However, this is not the case at those "pick and pull" places you visit. There, you are on your own as far as any service goes. YOU locate the wheels you want, YOU pull them from the junked car, YOU haul them up to the checkout counter to pay for them - and YOU take them home, and install them on your car. So, as you can see, if you don't know what you're doing, you could be headed for disaster.