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A Brief Guide to
Tire Selection
There are four parts of your car that control traction, speed, and control, and over-all ride quality. What are they? Your tires. You already know that having tires with worn treads, or not enough air, is a detriment to your driving, if not a danger to yourself and others on the road with you, but did you also realize tires (and wheels) are a fashion statement as well? Why else would vintage car owners be so proud of their wire rims? Why else would wheel/tire upgrades be part of most premium trim levels on new cars?
Once you've decided, that you, too, want to change the tires and wheels on your car from the original models to something new and different, here are some things to know, that may help you choose the right style for your vehicle:
Those Letters on the Side Mean Something
The first step in choosing a new set of tires is to crack the tire code, you know, those numbers and letters you see on the sides of your tires. Typically the sequence will look something like this:
P195/60R16 63H M+S
Broken down, the individual numbers and letters represent:
Why are these numbers important? Because the tires you choose must fit the way you drive, as well as the specifications for your car. If the original tires have a load rating of 63, any new tires you purchase should have an equal or greater load rating.
As well, it's important to consider where you live. If you live in a place like California or Texas where the weather is fairly warm all year, with only occasional moments of actual "winter," and all-season tire will work well for you, but if you live in the mid-west or northeast, where winter involves many months of snow, ice, and slush, you'll want to get winter tires, at least for that season. It's also good to know that new tires have better snow traction and wet traction, while older, worn tires have better dry traction, so if you do live in a place where winter means rain and snow, make sure you purchase your new tires in the fall.
How Do You Drive?
Now that you know how to read the tire code, consider your own driving habits, as these will inform the best choice of tires for your car. Specifically, consider the following:
Is Fuel Economy a Factor?
While fuel economy should never be the only basis for choosing your new tires, it is a valid point to consider, especially since, according to a spokesperson from Bridgestone Firestone North America, there may be a "15-20 percent difference" in fuel economy depending on which tires you choose. What tires are best for increasing fuel economy? Usually OEM tires will give the best results, but only if they're properly inflated and in good condition.
Where to Buy
The last piece of the tire purchasing puzzle is where to buy them. You can go back to the car dealer, where they will offer replacement OEM tires for roughly twice the price you would pay anywhere else, though they might be able to offer you upgrade options that you didn't select at time of purchase.
Alternatively, you can go to a tire discounter, where you can get new tires at wholesale prices. If cost is an issue, and you are comfortable changing the tires yourself, this option can save you a significant amount of money, but you'll still have to take your car to a service station or mechanic to have the new tires balanced, or mounted and balanced if changing your own tires isn't something you want to do (an emergency tire change is a completely different thing, of course).
Finally, you can go to a local store, which may be independent or may be part of a national chain. These stores are a blend of better-than-dealership prices and better-than-discount-shop service, and the people working in them are generally pretty savvy about tires in general, and can answer questions, as well as mount and balance the tires you select.
When it comes to tires, think of it this way: your tires are like your car's shoes. You wouldn't play golf in wingtips, or hike in roller-blades, and tire choices can be just as specific. Ultimately, you should balance performance, preference and the price you're willing to pay.