How to Choose the Right Car Tires?
So you know your car needs tire replacement but you aren't sure how to choose a brand of tires or type of tires that will work for you. You are not alone in this dilemma. Even some experienced drivers find it difficult to pick the right car tires as there are different factors that you need to consider.
With so many brands of tires available with varying sizes and features, it's really a big challenge to make a good choice. To help you get started in comparing your options, check the following factors that you need to consider:
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Number of tires that need replacement
One Tire
If you just need to replace one tire that has been damaged due to road hazard, accident or other reasons, you need to find a tire that exactly matches the others. You are safe if you choose the same brand, speed rating and size as the other tires.
Two tires
If two of your tires are still good and two need replacement, find a pair of tires that come as close as the remaining two. While it's ideal to find identical tires, you may also pick other tire brands or sizes as long as they fall in the same tire category as your good tires. It's important to note that you should install the new tires on the rear axle.
All tires
You'll have more flexibility in your tire selection if all the tires need replacement. You can choose a brand of tire and features that can help you accomplish your desired driving experience. You can check the different tire categories and from there, narrow down your options to find the tire that fits your needs.
It's a good idea to check with your mechanic why only one or a pair of tires have worn out faster than the others. If the cause is out-of-spec wheel alignment, lack of rotation or loose mechanical parts, you can have the issue fixed before it damages your new tires.
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Size of tires
The tires must be able to handle the weight of your vehicle. Even if the tires are brand new and top of the line, if they are overworked because of carrying more load than they can handle, they will not last long. So when choosing a tire size, don't undersize.
Moreover, with the automation of modern cars, many functions are now highly computerized. With this in mind, it's important that your vehicle's system is able to pick up accurate data to ensure that you'll get accurate instructions from it. And when it comes to speed data, the diameter of the tires plays an important role.
The general rule of thumb is for vans and cars, as long as you stay within 3 percent of the original diameter required by the manufacturer, you are all good. For SUVs and pickups, they are typically designed to handle up to 15 percent oversize tires. So when you decide to choose a much bigger or smaller tire for your car than what was originally installed, consider the general rule to stay safe. At best, consult a mechanic to check if the new set of tires you are considering is compatible with your vehicle.
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Road and driving conditions you will most likely encounter
It's also important to choose tires that can tackle the worst driving conditions you may encounter. Like if you expect to frequently encounter unpaved roads, get tires that can provide off-road traction and maximum toughness.
Moreover, if you frequently use the car for city driving, knowing the traffic conditions in the city, get tires that are more responsive so that you'll have no problem with sudden braking. Tires with low rolling resistance are also a good choice as they can help you save on fuel.
On the other hand, if you will use the car for long intercity trips, you may consider getting tires that are smooth, quiet and long wearing and with excellent stability and grip. And for your safety, check if the tires have optimum braking distance for both wet and dry roads.
Summary
It's not easy to choose a brand of tires for your specific requirements. However, once you consider the three factors we mentioned above, you can easily eliminate the brand of tires that do not meet your requirements. And to finally help you pick the right tires, after considering the three factors, consider the cost as well. One brand may sell an almost similar type of tires at a much higher price so get one that offers the best deal.