What kind of tire should I look for?
Tire shopping can be a daunting task, especially
considering recent technological advances and the proliferation of
sub-specialized tire genres. “Tires are asked to do a lot more today
than several years ago due to the evolution in vehicle designs,” says
Lori Simonelli, Senior Director of Technical Services at Toyo Tires.
But before you get bogged down by tire types, be sure to
find the right fitment for your vehicle. “You’ll want to confirm size,
speed rating and load carrying capacity,” explains Kurt Berger, Manager
for Consumer Products Engineering at Bridgestone. “We strongly recommend
that replacement tires meet all of the specifications of the original
tires.”
Once you’ve got the specs down, you’ll be able to
consider more nuanced variables. “Before making your purchase, have a
list of priorities—whether it’s wear, longevity, performance or price,”
adds Sampson.
You’ll then want to ask yourself some questions
regarding your tastes and driving style. Do you need winter tires? How
important is comfort for you? A tire professional will be able to help
narrow down your choices based on what you want. There are three
overarching categories of tire: summer, all-season and winter. Within
those, you’ll find various performance levels to suit driving
conditions. And of course, SUV and light trucks can be clad with
off-road, all terrain, highway, or highway all-season tread patterns.