How to Select the Tread on New Tires

If you are in the market for new tires, there are many things that you need to consider. The biggest factor is what type of new tires you need. Tire types are determined by several things, including composition of the tire, height and width of the tire and tire tread, which is arguably the most significant.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Visit your local tire store to see the different tire tread options with your own eyes. Most tire stores have sample tires on display so that you can evaluate them up close. You can easily see the differences between touring tires, performance tires, all-season tires and all the other types of tires.

2. Talk to a tire specialist about the type of performance you are looking for in your tires. Tire specialists can direct you to specific manufacturers and tires that can fit your needs.

3. Consider the road and weather conditions in which you typically drive. If you live in a region that gets its share of snow and rain, select all-season tires. Not the best choice for heavy snow regions, these tires are designed to work equally well in a variety of moderate weather conditions.

4. Evaluate the types of roads you frequent. Roads that are winding, like those in mountain regions, call for tires with threads that enhance steering and maneuverability.

5. Consider the type of driving you do. If you have a long highway commute on a regular basis, you should select treads that offer a quiet and smooth ride. Similarly, if you sit in traffic a lot, tires with tread patterns that improve responsiveness may be indicated.

6. Select all-terrain or mud tires if you do off-roading. These tires have chunky treads and large grooves that can handle a variety of rough terrain, including sand, rocks, gravel, mud and snow. All-terrain tires can also be used on-road, whereas mud tires are typically designed exclusively for off-road driving.

Tips & Warnings

• If you were happy with the tire you are replacing, it's easy to find tires with the same or similar tread patterns. Talk to a tire specialist about which new tires would mimic the same qualities as your old tires.
• Tire treads with siping--slits cut across the tread--grip better. Siping is not typically done by the manufacturer, but many tire stores provide this as an aftermarket service.
• If you are not replacing all of your tires, it's important to choose new tires that have the same tread as the ones still on your vehicle. Otherwise, you could have problems with handling and uneven wear.