Review Car

Review Car Tires

For some consumers, purchasing new car tires is a daunting experience; different treads, sizes, and weather applications seem to blur together. However, buyers should realize that a properly chosen tire is imperative for safe driving. The tire itself is the one portion of the car that grips to the road. So, if you are looking for a set of new tires, it may be helpful to look through different tire websites for comparison deals. For the best deal on auto insurance, simply plug in your ZIP code within the FREE comparison tool above!

Driving Quality

Have you ever seen those large wheels and thin tires on the road? The shiny wheels provide a level of glamor to the vehicle’s aesthetics, but tire buyers should be aware of the effect the narrow tires have on the overall driving standard. Thin tires make the ride more bumpy than a thicker tire choice; the narrow rubber does not have as much of a buffer from road imperfections. As a result, drivers will need to compare aesthetics with ride comfort.

Hauling a Load?

In general, passenger car tires are certainly less expensive than lightweight truck tires. In fact, many small pickup drivers use passenger car tires on their vehicles to save money. This is a smart choice if the truck does not haul items on a consistent basis. However, if a pickup hauls heavy items in its bed or pulls a trailer, it is imperative to have truck tires.

The truck tires have a higher load capacity. Internal structuring and designing of the truck tire makes it more sturdy for constant heavy item transport. On the other hand, passenger car tires do not have the extra stability needed for hauling; it is possible to damage the passenger tire under a lot of weight. A damaged tire can easily cause a blow out or a potential accident.

Do You Need New Tires?

Some consumers may be confused over whether they need new tires period. A good way to tell if you need tires, especially if a sales associate is trying to convince you that you do need new tread, is to check the tires with a penny. Place the penny, with Abraham Lincoln’s head facing downward, into a tire groove. The tire still has good tread for dry conditions if part of Lincoln’s head remains hidden behind the tread. If all of Lincoln’s head is visible within the groove, it is time for new tires.

The grooves help water to escape from under the car so that hydroplaning does not occur. The penny test provides a simple way to measure the minimum tread depth of 2/32ths of an inch. For a consumer confused about purchasing tires, this is an extremely easy test to verify any concerns.

Tire Type

Tires are available for different weather conditions. For those that live in desert areas, where rain and snow are not a normal occurrence, a summer or all season tire would be appropriate. These tires offer a good dry grip on the road with a comfortable ride since the tread’s grooves are not very deep.

However, drivers that live in snowy areas should consider either an all season tire, or even snow tires. Snow tires offer large tread depths so that it can move across icy and snowy roads with ease. Areas that receive light snow and heavy rain can consider an all season tire for almost year round comfort.

There are specialized alternatives to the basic commuting tires offered by most tire dealers. High performance tires will have a thin sidewall and tread built for racing. Alternatively, off road tires have a variety of different sizes and tread types based on the intended application, such as sand or mud.

Speed Ratings

Many consumers do not realize that tires have specific speed ratings. This rating is based on the tire’s ability to release heat; as the tire moves down the road, it generates heat from friction with the ground. Drivers with mostly street driving needs can usually purchase a low speed rating tire, designated as “S” or 120 MPH (miles per hour) to 180 MPH.

However, most drivers use a variety of different road types, from urban streets to fast freeways. As a result, many consumers opt for a higher speed rating of “T” or 118 MPH to 190 MPH. This rating will allow the tire to release enough heat to stay structurally sound at freeway speeds.

Replace All the Tires?

Depending on the vehicle’s braking system, it is common for one pair of tires to wear out faster than the other two. This uneven wear is normally caused by front disc brake structures; the front tires receive more wear from constant braking in traffic. The back tires will have some wear, but not as much as the front.

In this case, it is common to simply replace the more worn pair of tires, rather than replacing all four tires. However, drivers can improve the tread for all the tires if they are rotated on a regular basis. As a result, the wear will be evenly spaced across all four tires, making them last longer. Once all four have been worn down, the driver can simply replace all of the tires after a long lifespan.

In the end, consumers should look for tire deals before they have a major blow out. Make sure you have the best auto insurance coverage in case of emergencies. Enter your ZIP code into the FREE comparison tool below now!