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.
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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.
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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.
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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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