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3 Signs Your Mazda Needs a New Battery

A dead battery will inevitably happen at the worst possible time. Fortunately, there are always signs that your battery is in trouble, and this gives you sufficient time to visit your Mazda dealer for a replacement. We'd like to tell you some signs that you'll need a new car battery fairly soon. 3 Signs You Need a New Car Battery From Your Mazda Dealer Dead Battery The average life of a battery is three to five years. This relatively short life is caused by the gradual, naturally occurring breakdown of sulfuric acid inside the battery. This breakdown reduces the battery's electricity storage capacity and eventually prevents it from recharging. A battery can also die due to the failure of other electrical system components. A weakening alternator, for example, won't fully recharge the battery and ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​will slowly weaken. Loose or damaged battery cables or corroded terminals will also reduce or prevent recharging. Our technicians will examine and test your battery using our computerized battery tester. If an electrical fault has caused the failure, we'll find and repair it. If the battery has failed due to age, we'll install a new one. Extreme Temperatures The average battery works most efficiently under moderate external temperatures. Sustained extreme heat or cold causes failures within the battery and will cause it to die. Hot conditions, coupled with the natural high temperature within the engine, can cause the battery's electrolyte solution to heat up and boil. Extreme cold, in contrast, causes the electrolyte to freeze. This reduces battery capacity and makes starting the engine more difficult as the solution has to heat up. Our technicians will examine your battery and replace it if necessary. We can also recommend and supply batteries specifically designed to work under extreme temperature conditions. Corroded Connectors Corrosion not only damages metal, it interferes with electrical conductivity. An older battery is more susceptible to corrosion, as the sulfuric acid inside it releases hydrogen gas as it breaks down. The hydrogen gas joins with sulfur molecules to form hydrogen sulfide. This new chemical is toxic and corrosive and is drawn to the battery terminals, which rapidly start to corrode. The corrosion will eventually destroy the battery terminals, but before this happens, battery recharging will become problematic. It forms a barrier that prevents electricity from easily passing into and out of the battery. We can clean the corrosion, but it will return if your battery is failing. Replacing your battery will end this problem. We advise visiting us for a battery test when your battery is three years old. Our computerized tester can identify any possible weaknesses in the battery and provide a heads-up on its potential remaining life. Visit us today at Bommarito Mazda West Country in Ellisville, MO.

3 Signs Your Mazda Needs a New Battery

A dead battery will inevitably happen at the worst possible time. Fortunately, there are always signs that your battery is in trouble, and this gives you sufficient time to visit your Mazda dealer for a replacement. We'd like to tell you some signs that you'll need a new car battery fairly soon. 3 Signs You Need a New Car Battery From Your Mazda Dealer Dead Battery The average life of a battery is three to five years. This relatively short life is caused by the gradual, naturally occurring breakdown of sulfuric acid inside the battery. This breakdown reduces the battery's electricity storage capacity and eventually prevents it from recharging. A battery can also die due to the failure of other electrical system components. A weakening alternator, for example, won't fully recharge the battery and ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​will slowly weaken. Loose or damaged battery cables or corroded terminals will also reduce or prevent recharging. Our technicians will examine and test your battery using our computerized battery tester. If an electrical fault has caused the failure, we'll find and repair it. If the battery has failed due to age, we'll install a new one. Extreme Temperatures The average battery works most efficiently under moderate external temperatures. Sustained extreme heat or cold causes failures within the battery and will cause it to die. Hot conditions, coupled with the natural high temperature within the engine, can cause the battery's electrolyte solution to heat up and boil. Extreme cold, in contrast, causes the electrolyte to freeze. This reduces battery capacity and makes starting the engine more difficult as the solution has to heat up. Our technicians will examine your battery and replace it if necessary. We can also recommend and supply batteries specifically designed to work under extreme temperature conditions. Corroded Connectors Corrosion not only damages metal, it interferes with electrical conductivity. An older battery is more susceptible to corrosion, as the sulfuric acid inside it releases hydrogen gas as it breaks down. The hydrogen gas joins with sulfur molecules to form hydrogen sulfide. This new chemical is toxic and corrosive and is drawn to the battery terminals, which rapidly start to corrode. The corrosion will eventually destroy the battery terminals, but before this happens, battery recharging will become problematic. It forms a barrier that prevents electricity from easily passing into and out of the battery. We can clean the corrosion, but it will return if your battery is failing. Replacing your battery will end this problem. We advise visiting us for a battery test when your battery is three years old. Our computerized tester can identify any possible weaknesses in the battery and provide a heads-up on its potential remaining life. Visit us today at Bommarito Mazda West Country in Ellisville, MO.

4 Reasons to Get Financing Through Your Mazda Dealership

Your local Mazda dealership is a great place for a lot of things. You can get service for your Mazda, buy a new car, sell your old vehicle, and even secure car financing. When you seek financing through the dealership, you're giving yourself the opportunity to enjoy numerous benefits, including convenience, unlimited choice, and special offers that you won't find elsewhere. 1. The Fast and Convenient Process Financing a car through your local dealer is really convenient. The process starts online, where you can apply for preapproval. This allows you to see if you'll be able to get a loan before you go to the dealer and start shopping for your new vehicle. The dealer sends your application to multiple lenders, so you only have to fill it out once. From there, the process is pretty streamlined if you're approved for a loan, and you only have to make one trip to the dealer. 2. The Access to Special Offers Special promotional offers crop up at the dealer now and then. These offers can allow buyers with excellent credit to access car financing with 0% APR. So, if you have a high credit score and a fantastic, clean credit history, you should always check if there are any promotional offers running at the dealership. 3. The Unlimited Choice When you finance your car through our dealership, you can pretty much buy any car we have on our lot. The only thing restricting you is your budget. We always have a wide range of models available, so you're really spoiled for choice when you shop at our dealership and finance through us. However, when you finance through a bank, you may not have such a wide range of choices. Banks usually have pre-existing relationships with certain dealerships, and when you finance through that bank, you may be required to pick a car from one of those dealerships. There's no guarantee any dealerships the bank works with will have the car you want on their lot, so choosing a car and then financing through your dealer of choice is the best way to make sure you get what you want. 4. The Opportunity to Get a Loan If You Have Poor Credit If you have a low credit score or a poor credit history, then it may be difficult to qualify for a loan when you seek one from a credit union or bank. However, dealerships regularly work with people who don't have a great credit history or a very high credit score, so you may get a loan through a dealer when you can't get one elsewhere. Come to Bommarito Mazda West County in Ellisville, MO to get your financing today. You can easily apply for preapproval through our website.

4 Reasons to Get Financing Through Your Mazda Dealership

Your local Mazda dealership is a great place for a lot of things. You can get service for your Mazda, buy a new car, sell your old vehicle, and even secure car financing. When you seek financing through the dealership, you're giving yourself the opportunity to enjoy numerous benefits, including convenience, unlimited choice, and special offers that you won't find elsewhere. 1. The Fast and Convenient Process Financing a car through your local dealer is really convenient. The process starts online, where you can apply for preapproval. This allows you to see if you'll be able to get a loan before you go to the dealer and start shopping for your new vehicle. The dealer sends your application to multiple lenders, so you only have to fill it out once. From there, the process is pretty streamlined if you're approved for a loan, and you only have to make one trip to the dealer. 2. The Access to Special Offers Special promotional offers crop up at the dealer now and then. These offers can allow buyers with excellent credit to access car financing with 0% APR. So, if you have a high credit score and a fantastic, clean credit history, you should always check if there are any promotional offers running at the dealership. 3. The Unlimited Choice When you finance your car through our dealership, you can pretty much buy any car we have on our lot. The only thing restricting you is your budget. We always have a wide range of models available, so you're really spoiled for choice when you shop at our dealership and finance through us. However, when you finance through a bank, you may not have such a wide range of choices. Banks usually have pre-existing relationships with certain dealerships, and when you finance through that bank, you may be required to pick a car from one of those dealerships. There's no guarantee any dealerships the bank works with will have the car you want on their lot, so choosing a car and then financing through your dealer of choice is the best way to make sure you get what you want. 4. The Opportunity to Get a Loan If You Have Poor Credit If you have a low credit score or a poor credit history, then it may be difficult to qualify for a loan when you seek one from a credit union or bank. However, dealerships regularly work with people who don't have a great credit history or a very high credit score, so you may get a loan through a dealer when you can't get one elsewhere. Come to Bommarito Mazda West County in Ellisville, MO to get your financing today. You can easily apply for preapproval through our website.

Close up view of the driver side beaming headlight of a silver 2020 Mazda3 sedan. | Mazda dealer in Ellisville, MO

6 Reasons You Need Roadside Assistance

While driving is a necessity of modern life, it can be stressful and, in some cases, even dangerous. However, you can give yourself peace of mind by subscribing to a roadside assistance service. Here are six reasons why you need roadside assistance. You Have a Flat Tire Even if you drive carefully and make sure that your tires are properly maintained, in some instances, a flat tire is unavoidable. While you might know how to change a tire, you might not want to attempt the task on your own if traffic is heavy or if it's late at night. In many cases, it's safer to have roadside assistance change the tire for you. You may even need to have your vehicle towed if a blowout causes severe damage. You've Run Out of Fuel Running out of fuel is actually a fairly common problem for drivers. Many drivers rely on the fuel light in their vehicles to tell them when they need to fill up. However, these lights aren't always 100% accurate. You may have even less fuel in your car than you think. If you do run out of fuel, your roadside assistance service will deliver enough fuel to your location to get you to the nearest gas station. You've Locked Yourself Out It's very easy to get distracted while you're exiting your vehicle, especially if you're driving with kids or pets. This distraction can lead you to leave your keys in the car and lock yourself out. Roadside assistance can come to your location and retrieve your keys for you. You Have a Dead Battery It's a pretty sinking feeling to get in your car, turn the key, and not have the vehicle start like its supposed to. This can happen in any car for a variety of reasons. You may have left your lights on, or there could be a flaw in the battery. If you're in a busy parking lot when this happens, someone might be able to give you a jump start from their vehicle. However, if you're driving down a country road or it's late at night, you'll need to depend on roadside assistance. They can come to your location, give you a jump start, and diagnose the cause of the dead battery. They can even replace the battery if necessary. Your Vehicle is Stuck Depending on where you live, the roads may not be in good condition. Or, you may live on a dirt road that turns into mud when it rains. It's possible to get stuck on rough or muddy roads. Roadside assistance can tow your vehicle out when you get stuck. You've Had a Bad Accident In the unfortunate event of a bad accident, your vehicle may be rendered undrivable. Roadside assistance will transport your vehicle to a mechanic. As you can see, there are several situations where roadside assistance can come in handy. Consider subscribing to a roadside assistance program, so that you can drive with confidence and peace of mind. Image via MazdaUsa.

6 Reasons You Need Roadside Assistance

While driving is a necessity of modern life, it can be stressful and, in some cases, even dangerous. However, you can give yourself peace of mind by subscribing to a roadside assistance service. Here are six reasons why you need roadside assistance. You Have a Flat Tire Even if you drive carefully and make sure that your tires are properly maintained, in some instances, a flat tire is unavoidable. While you might know how to change a tire, you might not want to attempt the task on your own if traffic is heavy or if it's late at night. In many cases, it's safer to have roadside assistance change the tire for you. You may even need to have your vehicle towed if a blowout causes severe damage. You've Run Out of Fuel Running out of fuel is actually a fairly common problem for drivers. Many drivers rely on the fuel light in their vehicles to tell them when they need to fill up. However, these lights aren't always 100% accurate. You may have even less fuel in your car than you think. If you do run out of fuel, your roadside assistance service will deliver enough fuel to your location to get you to the nearest gas station. You've Locked Yourself Out It's very easy to get distracted while you're exiting your vehicle, especially if you're driving with kids or pets. This distraction can lead you to leave your keys in the car and lock yourself out. Roadside assistance can come to your location and retrieve your keys for you. You Have a Dead Battery It's a pretty sinking feeling to get in your car, turn the key, and not have the vehicle start like its supposed to. This can happen in any car for a variety of reasons. You may have left your lights on, or there could be a flaw in the battery. If you're in a busy parking lot when this happens, someone might be able to give you a jump start from their vehicle. However, if you're driving down a country road or it's late at night, you'll need to depend on roadside assistance. They can come to your location, give you a jump start, and diagnose the cause of the dead battery. They can even replace the battery if necessary. Your Vehicle is Stuck Depending on where you live, the roads may not be in good condition. Or, you may live on a dirt road that turns into mud when it rains. It's possible to get stuck on rough or muddy roads. Roadside assistance can tow your vehicle out when you get stuck. You've Had a Bad Accident In the unfortunate event of a bad accident, your vehicle may be rendered undrivable. Roadside assistance will transport your vehicle to a mechanic. As you can see, there are several situations where roadside assistance can come in handy. Consider subscribing to a roadside assistance program, so that you can drive with confidence and peace of mind. Image via MazdaUsa.

Interior front seat view of the road with snow and trees on the side from the front seat.

Winter Driving in MO

Winter weather in Missouri brings the potential for ice and snowstorms, and driving conditions can quickly deteriorate. Defensive driving is essential year-round but is especially so through the winter months. You can prepare for this winter in Missouri by learning all you can about staying safe during the worst driving conditions. Here are four tips for winter driving in Missouri. Avoid Non-Essential Trips If you find yourself in the middle of a winter weather advisory, only drive when necessary. Places you may deem as essential trips during hazardous road conditions can include the grocery store, the hospital, work, etc. Otherwise, it is best to stay off the road if at all possible and wait for road and weather conditions to improve before venturing out. Create a Winter Car Survival Kit Having what you need in an emergency isn't always possible, but when it comes to winter driving, you can assemble the items you may need into a survival kit. Things to include in this kit are a small broom, hats, socks, gloves or mittens, a fluorescent distress flag, a spare radio with batteries, water, flares and matches, a windshield scraper, a flashlight, jumper cables, snacks or emergency type food, a shovel, shingles or sand for emergency traction, and a first aid kit. Any or all of these items could save your life during a winter driving emergency. Change How You Drive Winter road conditions in Missouri may require you to change how you drive. During inclement weather, you can benefit from taking specific steps to ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road. Allow yourself more driving time so you can drive slower, take the time to clear snow and ice from your vehicle for increased visibility, and drive with your headlights on regardless of the time of day. By taking these few precautions to heart, you will help maintain safer road conditions through the winter months. Monitor Weather and Road Conditions Stay apprised of the road and weather by watching your local news stations. Keeping track of these conditions will let you know when it is safest to travel in your area. If you must travel, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) offers a traveler information map that can be accessed via an app from your mobile device, providing you with the most current road conditions. You can also call the MoDOT customer service center 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The toll-free customer service number is 888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636). Winters in Missouri can create some of the most hazardous driving conditions. If you find that you must drive during such situations, be prepared, and take extra precautions. Being safe on the road during inclement weather takes more than just driving slower. You would need to have a plan that includes staying informed of weather and road conditions, giving yourself the necessary time to reach your destination and to get back home safely, and having a survival plan if you were to become stranded. Image via Pixabay.com.

Winter Driving in MO

Winter weather in Missouri brings the potential for ice and snowstorms, and driving conditions can quickly deteriorate. Defensive driving is essential year-round but is especially so through the winter months. You can prepare for this winter in Missouri by learning all you can about staying safe during the worst driving conditions. Here are four tips for winter driving in Missouri. Avoid Non-Essential Trips If you find yourself in the middle of a winter weather advisory, only drive when necessary. Places you may deem as essential trips during hazardous road conditions can include the grocery store, the hospital, work, etc. Otherwise, it is best to stay off the road if at all possible and wait for road and weather conditions to improve before venturing out. Create a Winter Car Survival Kit Having what you need in an emergency isn't always possible, but when it comes to winter driving, you can assemble the items you may need into a survival kit. Things to include in this kit are a small broom, hats, socks, gloves or mittens, a fluorescent distress flag, a spare radio with batteries, water, flares and matches, a windshield scraper, a flashlight, jumper cables, snacks or emergency type food, a shovel, shingles or sand for emergency traction, and a first aid kit. Any or all of these items could save your life during a winter driving emergency. Change How You Drive Winter road conditions in Missouri may require you to change how you drive. During inclement weather, you can benefit from taking specific steps to ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road. Allow yourself more driving time so you can drive slower, take the time to clear snow and ice from your vehicle for increased visibility, and drive with your headlights on regardless of the time of day. By taking these few precautions to heart, you will help maintain safer road conditions through the winter months. Monitor Weather and Road Conditions Stay apprised of the road and weather by watching your local news stations. Keeping track of these conditions will let you know when it is safest to travel in your area. If you must travel, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) offers a traveler information map that can be accessed via an app from your mobile device, providing you with the most current road conditions. You can also call the MoDOT customer service center 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The toll-free customer service number is 888-ASK-MODOT (888-275-6636). Winters in Missouri can create some of the most hazardous driving conditions. If you find that you must drive during such situations, be prepared, and take extra precautions. Being safe on the road during inclement weather takes more than just driving slower. You would need to have a plan that includes staying informed of weather and road conditions, giving yourself the necessary time to reach your destination and to get back home safely, and having a survival plan if you were to become stranded. Image via Pixabay.com.

Student driver adjusts rear-view mirror with teacher watching from the passenger seat. | Ellisville, MO

4 Ways to Motivate Your Teen to Learn to Drive

The times, they are a-changing. When we were young, we couldn't wait to get our driver's licenses. For some of us, it was one of the more exciting parts of our teenage years. But the newest wave of would-be drivers is increasingly less excited to get their licenses. If you have a teen who isn't motivated to drive, convincing them to do so can be a task. Here are some ways you can get your teen on the path toward a driver's license. Ask Why They Haven't This is the first step in motivating your teen to learn how to drive. Find out why they haven't done it themselves. The majority of us may get grunts and shrugs as answers, but some may learn something. Perhaps they're nervous about driving. Maybe they don't see a reason to because their friends and family members give them rides. Once you know why they don't want to learn how to drive, you can decide how to motivate them to do so. Tell Them What They Could Gain Perhaps a little perspective is needed. Tell them about the world that opens up for them once they have their license. They can get a job to buy the things they want. Tell them they can have greater freedom to see their friends when they want. Maybe promise them a road trip, if you're brave enough. Make a goal for them to be excited about. Tell Them What You Could Gain One of the best parts of your teen learning to drive is that it takes some burden off your shoulders. You no longer have to drive them everywhere. They can help out with errands like grocery shopping or taking their little brother to their baseball game. Let them know that them learning how to drive not only opens up opportunities for them, it helps out with the household. Not to mention, it saves you from having to take a trip every day to get them to where they need to go. It's a win-win situation. Don't Chauffeur Them If all else fails, tough love goes a long way. One of the best ways to get them motivated to get their license is to take away their personal taxi service — you. If it's not an important destination, such as school or work, don't take them. One of the reasons we were so excited to get our licenses when we were growing up is because it meant we could visit our friends and go where we wanted to. If they can do neither, getting their license suddenly become more attractive. No matter how you go about motivating your teenager to learn how to drive, remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Listen to the reasons they have for not driving and address them. Motivating a teen to do anything can be one of the greatest challenges of parenting, so we wish you the best of luck. Image via Flickr by State Farm | CC BY 2.0.

4 Ways to Motivate Your Teen to Learn to Drive

The times, they are a-changing. When we were young, we couldn't wait to get our driver's licenses. For some of us, it was one of the more exciting parts of our teenage years. But the newest wave of would-be drivers is increasingly less excited to get their licenses. If you have a teen who isn't motivated to drive, convincing them to do so can be a task. Here are some ways you can get your teen on the path toward a driver's license. Ask Why They Haven't This is the first step in motivating your teen to learn how to drive. Find out why they haven't done it themselves. The majority of us may get grunts and shrugs as answers, but some may learn something. Perhaps they're nervous about driving. Maybe they don't see a reason to because their friends and family members give them rides. Once you know why they don't want to learn how to drive, you can decide how to motivate them to do so. Tell Them What They Could Gain Perhaps a little perspective is needed. Tell them about the world that opens up for them once they have their license. They can get a job to buy the things they want. Tell them they can have greater freedom to see their friends when they want. Maybe promise them a road trip, if you're brave enough. Make a goal for them to be excited about. Tell Them What You Could Gain One of the best parts of your teen learning to drive is that it takes some burden off your shoulders. You no longer have to drive them everywhere. They can help out with errands like grocery shopping or taking their little brother to their baseball game. Let them know that them learning how to drive not only opens up opportunities for them, it helps out with the household. Not to mention, it saves you from having to take a trip every day to get them to where they need to go. It's a win-win situation. Don't Chauffeur Them If all else fails, tough love goes a long way. One of the best ways to get them motivated to get their license is to take away their personal taxi service — you. If it's not an important destination, such as school or work, don't take them. One of the reasons we were so excited to get our licenses when we were growing up is because it meant we could visit our friends and go where we wanted to. If they can do neither, getting their license suddenly become more attractive. No matter how you go about motivating your teenager to learn how to drive, remember that there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Listen to the reasons they have for not driving and address them. Motivating a teen to do anything can be one of the greatest challenges of parenting, so we wish you the best of luck. Image via Flickr by State Farm | CC BY 2.0.

Multiple tires of various sizes and treads stacked up. | Car Dealer in Ellisville, MO

3 Top Tips for Choosing New Tires

Tires are one of your vehicle's most essential components. Depending on the amount and kind of driving you do, most motorists must replace their tires every three to four years. Head to your local tire shop, and you might be a bit overwhelmed by all the different brands, treads, and sizes, making it a difficult choice to select the best option for your car or truck. We'll steer you in the right direction with these three top tips for choosing new tires. Determine the Size The best place to look for the correct size tire for your vehicle is the owner's manual or consult the sticker inside your driver's side door jamb. Among other information, your exact tire size is listed here. The number will look similar to this: 225/50R16 92V. The first part of the label refers to the tire's width, aspect ratio, and wheel diameter. The "92" indicates the tire's load index or how much weight each tire can carry. The last component, the "V" is the maximum speed rating in relation to the load index. What Type of Tires Do You Need? Many retailers offer the perfect size tire for your vehicle. However, you'll need to dig a little deeper to determine what type of tire you need. The kind of tire depends on a variety of factors, including the weather, what kind of vehicle you drive, and how you plan to use your car. To help you pick the ideal tire type, look at some standard options such as all-season tires. This choice is available in both S- and T-speed ratings and are best for all-weather grip and high mileage, making them a common choice for most cars and SUVs. Also, consider performance tires with H- and V-speed ratings. They offer better grip when cornering than the all-season tire, but may not last as long. If you're looking to outfit a sports car or performance sedan with a new set of rubber, try ultra-high-performance tires with either ZR-, W-, or Y-speed ratings. A winter tire is easily identified by its unique tread. These tires feature slits called “sipes” and may have a mountain or snowflake symbol printed on their sidewall. For best performance on snow and ice, buy winter tires in sets of four. Do you drive an SUV or truck with off-roading capability? Then head over to the all-terrain tires. This option naturally comes in large sizes and is designed for hauling and towing duties with an aggressive tread pattern to aid in traction. What Are Your Priorities? Everyone has different priorities when stepping into a new tire showroom. Are you looking for an economical tire or one fabricated to last 10 years or more? Do you plan to match the brand of tire you got with your new car or are you hoping to increase performance? Whatever you decide, check out your prospective tire's ratings and reviews before they're mounted. Differentiating between dozens of tire choices can be challenging. Do your own research or visit with the experts, and you'll be riding high on new rubber in a jiffy. Image via Flickr by everycar_listed_photos | CC BY-SA 2.0.

3 Top Tips for Choosing New Tires

Tires are one of your vehicle's most essential components. Depending on the amount and kind of driving you do, most motorists must replace their tires every three to four years. Head to your local tire shop, and you might be a bit overwhelmed by all the different brands, treads, and sizes, making it a difficult choice to select the best option for your car or truck. We'll steer you in the right direction with these three top tips for choosing new tires. Determine the Size The best place to look for the correct size tire for your vehicle is the owner's manual or consult the sticker inside your driver's side door jamb. Among other information, your exact tire size is listed here. The number will look similar to this: 225/50R16 92V. The first part of the label refers to the tire's width, aspect ratio, and wheel diameter. The "92" indicates the tire's load index or how much weight each tire can carry. The last component, the "V" is the maximum speed rating in relation to the load index. What Type of Tires Do You Need? Many retailers offer the perfect size tire for your vehicle. However, you'll need to dig a little deeper to determine what type of tire you need. The kind of tire depends on a variety of factors, including the weather, what kind of vehicle you drive, and how you plan to use your car. To help you pick the ideal tire type, look at some standard options such as all-season tires. This choice is available in both S- and T-speed ratings and are best for all-weather grip and high mileage, making them a common choice for most cars and SUVs. Also, consider performance tires with H- and V-speed ratings. They offer better grip when cornering than the all-season tire, but may not last as long. If you're looking to outfit a sports car or performance sedan with a new set of rubber, try ultra-high-performance tires with either ZR-, W-, or Y-speed ratings. A winter tire is easily identified by its unique tread. These tires feature slits called “sipes” and may have a mountain or snowflake symbol printed on their sidewall. For best performance on snow and ice, buy winter tires in sets of four. Do you drive an SUV or truck with off-roading capability? Then head over to the all-terrain tires. This option naturally comes in large sizes and is designed for hauling and towing duties with an aggressive tread pattern to aid in traction. What Are Your Priorities? Everyone has different priorities when stepping into a new tire showroom. Are you looking for an economical tire or one fabricated to last 10 years or more? Do you plan to match the brand of tire you got with your new car or are you hoping to increase performance? Whatever you decide, check out your prospective tire's ratings and reviews before they're mounted. Differentiating between dozens of tire choices can be challenging. Do your own research or visit with the experts, and you'll be riding high on new rubber in a jiffy. Image via Flickr by everycar_listed_photos | CC BY-SA 2.0.

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