Tires are actually a vehicle's most significant safety feature since they are a vehicle's only contact with the road. Purchasing the right tires for your vehicle is an important decision. Choosing the right tire depends on your vehicle, your driving style and the conditions you'll be driving in. What type of tire should you look for? Here are some factors to consider:
Tire Size
Knowing your tire size can save you time and help you to make an informed purchase. Your vehicle's original tire size are located in your owner's manual or on the tire label found on the driver's doorjamb, glove box lid, or inside the fuel hatch.
Driving Style
Be sure to take your driving style into consideration in selecting tires. If you like a quiet comfortable ride, look for tires that specifically mention comfort, smooth ride, or low road noise.
If you like to feel every curve, find tires that mention great handling or steering precision.These are often called high-performance tires and have higher speed ratings, which means that they are optimized to provide better control and a stiffer, more precise ride.
Assessing the performance characteristics of a tire will help you find a tire that suits your style.
Driving Conditions
Go with a tire that suits the driving conditions you face most often. If you only drive around your neighborhood, almost any tire will do. But if you drive your car on crowded city streets and expressways during rush hour you will be better served by more responsive tires.
If you drive extensively on the interstates you will want quiet, smooth riding, long wearing tires. Or if you like to drive quickly on twisting roads or through the mountains you will want good handling tires. And if you drive on the track or in autocross events, you will want the best competition tires available.
The Type of Vehicle You Drive
Like the vehicles we drive, not all tires are manufactured equally. Light-duty trucks and SUVs for example, need tires that will respond to heavy loads and extreme road conditions. The key is to know exactly what type of vehicle you own and what you use it for.
