How to Choose the Right Tires for Your Car
Choosing the right tires for your vehicle ensures safety and performance. Using and maintaining the proper tires helps prevent stressful vehicle break downs and improves gas mileage, which translates into savings for you! Deciding which type of tires to purchase can be tricky, so we’ve put together this guide to help you choose the right tires for your vehicle.
How do you know when you need new tires?
If you think your vehicle needs new tires, consider two main things: the miles your tires have travelled and the amount of remaining tread.
According to Kelley Blue Book, most tires will last between 25,000 – 50,000 miles before they need to be replaced. This general lifespan varies from tire to tire, and depends on several variables such as tire quality and driving conditions.
Check the remaining tire tread to gauge the tire’s remaining lifespan. Manufacturers and car care experts recommend replacing tires once the tire’s tread is less then 2/23nd of an inch. You can measure your tire treads by using the old penny trick, where you stick a penny into several tread grooves across the tire. If part of Lincoln’s head is always covered by the tread, you have more than 2/32 of an inch of tread depth remaining. Many auto shops can also look at your tire’s tread during an oil change.
Choosing the Right Tires: Things to Consider
If you determine that your vehicle needs new tires, here are some things to consider when choosing among all of the tires on the market.
Driving Habits
How often do you drive? Do you drive mostly in the city or in rural areas? These factors can impact your tire decision. If you drive mainly in the city or expressways, you may need a long-wearing, high performance tire that does well in changing conditions. On the other hand, if you drive mainly on backroads or in rural areas, you may need more durable tires that stand up to more wear and tear.
Seasonal Conditions
Another factor to keep in mind is seasonal conditions. Your local weather conditions are important to consider because different tires have unique characteristics that perform differently depending on the weather. Tires can be sorted into three weather-related categories: all-season, summer, and winter tires. There are advantages to purchasing different tires for different seasons, but that can get expensive! Most drivers buy all-season tires because it’s the most affordable option.
When you’re looking at a new set of tires, think about the worst driving conditions that you expect to encounter. Will the tires in question stand up to that? If the answer is yes, those tires may be a good choice. For drivers in the Great Lakes region, getting tires with good traction for rain, snow, and ice is crucial.
Tire Size
A small car requires smaller tires than, say, a large SUV or truck. If you have questions about what size tire your vehicle needs, check your owner’s manual or do a quick Google search of your vehicle’s year, make and model to learn what the manufacturer recommends.
Places to Buy Affordable Tires
As we all know, replacing the tires on your vehicle can be expensive. Take some time to create a budget. If you are looking places to purchase quality tires at a good price, check out these places:
While choosing the right tires for your vehicle can take some time, it pays off. Preventative vehicle care and maintenance will save you money down the road.
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