Tires

Choosing the right tires for your vehicle shouldn’t feel like a high-pressure guessing game. American Tire helps Bardstown drivers select safe, reliable tires that match their driving needs and budget – with honest guidance, transparent pricing, and no unnecessary upsells.

Key highlights:

• Free tire assessment to determine if you actually need replacement now
• Clear recommendations based on your vehicle type, driving patterns, and Kentucky weather
• We carry trusted brands: Michelin, Goodyear, Bridgestone, Cooper, and value options
• Price matching on comparable tires – get chain-store selection with local-shop service
• Same-day installation available for most sizes
• Road hazard warranty options explained clearly (you choose what makes sense)

We handle everything from sedans and SUVs to trucks, helping drivers make confident tire decisions without technical overwhelm.

How Do You Know When You Need New Tires?

Recognizing tire replacement timing protects your safety and prevents being stranded with tire failure.

• Tread depth below 4/32″

• Age over 6 years

• Uneven wear patterns

• Visible damage

What Tire Type Is Right for Your Driving?

Tire category selection affects daily performance more significantly than brand choice. Understanding differences helps match tires to actual needs.

All-Season Tires provide balanced year-round performance for moderate climates.

Performance All-Season Tires enhance handling response, cornering grip, and wet-weather performance compared to standard all-season designs, while maintaining reasonable wear life. 

Highway/Touring Tires emphasize ride comfort, low noise, and maximum tread life.

Light Truck and SUV Tires divide into subcategories based on usage:

• Highway-terrain (H/T) tires prioritize on-road comfort and fuel efficiency for SUVs and trucks rarely driven off-pavement
• All-terrain (A/T) tires provide moderate off-road capability with acceptable on-road manners
• Mud-terrain (M/T) tires maximize off-road traction for serious off-road use but compromise on-road comfort, noise, and fuel economy

Load Range and Ply Rating matter significantly for trucks regularly carrying heavy loads or towing boats, campers, or trailers.

What’s Included in Our Tire Installation Service?

Complete professional installation ensures new tires perform safely and last their full expected lifespan.

• Mounting and Balancing

• • Valve Stem Replacement (optional) 

• Tire Disposal

• Torque Specifications

How Should You Maintain Tires for Maximum Lifespan?

Proper tire maintenance extends tread life by 25-40% compared to neglected tires, saving hundreds of dollars while maintaining safety.

Monthly pressure checks prevent the most common cause of premature tire wear. 

Tire rotation every 5,000-7,000 miles distributes wear evenly across all four tires.

Alignment checks should occur after tire installation (included free with tire purchase), when you notice pulling or uneven wear, after suspension work, when hitting significant potholes (common on Tennessee roads after winter), or annually as preventative maintenance.

Visual inspections during every service visit catch developing problems early.

FAQ

How long do tires typically last? With proper maintenance (regular rotations, alignment), quality tires last 50,000-80,000 miles depending on brand and driving conditions. Age also matters – tires should be replaced after 6-7 years even if tread looks good, as rubber degrades over time.

Should I replace all four tires at once? For AWD vehicles (many SUVs), replacing all four is required to avoid drivetrain damage. For front-wheel or rear-wheel drive, you can often replace two at a time, but we’ll mount the newer tires on the rear for better stability. We’ll explain what makes sense for your vehicle.

Do I really need wheel alignment after getting new tires? Not always, but we’ll check it. If your old tires showed uneven wear or your vehicle pulls to one side, alignment is necessary to protect your new tire investment. We’ll measure first and only recommend alignment if it’s out of specification.

What’s a road hazard warranty and do I need it? It covers tire damage from potholes, nails, road debris – common in our area. It gives you a prorated replacement value if a tire is damaged beyond repair. We’ll explain the coverage and let you decide if it makes sense for your driving patterns.

Can you match tire prices from online retailers? We’ll match local competitor pricing on comparable tires. Online pricing often doesn’t include installation, disposal, balancing, and warranty – when you factor those in, our prices are typically competitive and you get local service and support.

FIND THE RIGHT TIRES FOR YOUR VEHICLE

Call us at (502) 348-3018 with your vehicle year/make/model for pricing.

Not sure if it’s time to replace your tires?

Stop by for a free tire assessment – we’ll measure tread depth, check for damage, and give you an honest evaluation of where you stand!