How To Choose The Right Tires

If you are shopping for things for your car, you might be more worried about the mirrors, the signal lights, your headlights, and even your doors. But you might not be aware about how important your tires are to your car. Basically, your car goes nowhere without tires; pick the wrong ones, and you are headed down a pretty dangerous road.

Shopping for tires is exactly like shopping for shoes: you need to get your car the exact fit, but the tire has to rest comfortably without making your tire lose its grip on the road. There are many factors that go into considering what the right tires are for your car, so as you go around and scout for the perfect fit, take note of these seven tips that will put you on your way to choosing the right tire.

First, get your vocabulary right before you even head to the tire store. In particular, take note of the three T’s of tire quality. The traction index is the ability of your tires to stop a car as it rolls on wet pavement. The traction index can be designated as AA, A, B, or C, with AA signifying the best and C designating a tire that conforms to the minimum federal standard.

The temperature index is a rating of the ability of your tire to lose heat, which can weaken and eventually destroy your tire. An A rated tire would, in this case, be able to dissipate heat quickly, while a C rated tire would meet federal minimum requirements.

The last T stands for the tire’s tread wear index, which will indicate how well your tire can resist wear and tear. Using 100 as a reference point, a tread wear index of 300 means that your tire will last three times longer than another tire rated 100 from the same manufacturer. The tread wear index will vary from one tire making company to another, and each tire making company has a choice of which tire it will use as its reference. Therefore, a tread wear index can allow you to compare different tire models and designs within a brand, but not between or among other tire brands.

Second, decide whether you want to have more clearance under your car, or more traction on the road. Taller tires give you more clearance, while wider tires will provide you with more traction. If you have more clearance, you can have an easier time repairing or cleaning it, and it might be easier for you to pick up things that have rolled underneath your car. If you have more traction, it can be easier for you to travel on more unforgiving roads, such as those drenched with rain or mud.

Third, consider your state’s lift laws. If you decide to put tires on your rig that are larger than thirty one inches, you will have to lift your vehicle. Moreover, look at the weight of your vehicle: larger tire sizes translate to lifts, which translate to a raised center of gravity for your car. This might make it easier for your car to roll over.

Fourth, know what the tire designations mean. An all-terrain tire can perform well off the highway. A closed tread tire will be quiet when the car is coasting on the highway, but noisier than your average street tires. A closed tread tire will also do better on sand and rocks. A mud tire can be dangerous on icy roads, and will perform at its worst in the rain. Mud tires also tend to be noisy.

Fifth, when buying tires, buy one kind and design for your car, and do not attempt to mix and match tires. If some of your tires are mismatched, it can be more difficult to handle, not to mention drive your car. What tires are on the car’s front should also be in the back of the car, and vice versa.

Sixth, look at the design of the tires that you want to buy. The grooves are not there to look pretty: they are there to provide traction for your tires and keep your car rooted to the ground even in adverse weather conditions. Grooves are designed to channel water away from the tire and back onto the road, effectively making your tread less slippery. Ask your tire manufacturer about what grooves will suit your local weather.

Seventh, be aware of a tire’s tread-wear warranty. If you are looking for a cheap tire, you can go for about forty thousand miles before the tire conks out on you and decides to call it quits. The more popular near-premium tires are a little more expensive, but can allow your car to go up to seventy miles without you having to change tires. Lastly, the expensive premium tires can allow your car to go for more than eighty thousand miles on the same tires.

While looking at individual factors affecting tire design and performance, look at how the design of the tire correlates with its price. You will want to get tires that offer all the best in safety for the lowest price possible. With these tips, you can surely get tires that will fit your car and make you drive for a longer time.

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