Passenger Car Tires Comparison
Most vehicles sold in the U.S. have all-season tires designed for average driving conditions. If you aren't average, decide which tire attributes (long tread life, traction, noise level and fuel efficiency) are important to you.
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Noise Level and Wet Traction
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The quality that improves rain traction -- tread design -- increases interior car noise. Deeper tread patterns hold the road better under wet conditions. Quieter, smoother tires hydroplane more.
Snow Handling and Increased Tread Life
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Harder rubber compounds extend tire life. Softer snow tire compounds wear out quickly when roads are clear.
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Rolling Resistance and Dry Traction
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The harder the tire, the easier it rolls and fuel economy improves. Dry traction improves with softer rubber, which means more rolling resistance, less tread life and more tank fill-ups.
Handling and Comfort
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Sportier tires handle better with stiffer sidewalls to manage quick direction changes at higher speeds. Stiffer sidewalls diminish comfort -- you'll feel bumps in the road more.
Speed and Load Rating
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Never mount a tire with a lower speed or load rating than manufacturer's recommendations. Lower ratings decrease safety by increasing your chance of tire failures, such as blowouts or abnormal wear. A sticker on the driver's side door edge lists manufacturer recommendations for speed, load and tire size.
Cost and Feature Ratings
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Do a cost-per-mile comparison. Divide the number of miles guaranteed by the price to find cost-per-mile. Major tire brands offer feature rating systems to compare tires within the brand, but not necessarily how they compare to different brands.
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