How to Find the Best Tires for Your Car
Tires are essential for safe operation of your vehicle. Tires are literally your car's link to the road. No matter what type of engine, transmission or suspension you have, your car won't be able to operate at its full capacity without a quality set of tires underneath it. The tire you choose depends on many factors, including road conditions, climate and the type of car you drive.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Do your homework. The most important thing to think about when buying tires for your car is safety. You want to look for tires that have been tested for braking and handling, as well as resistance to hydroplaning. You can research this information online or by contacting tire manufacturers. Finding reviews online can also be helpful.
-
2
Decide which other features are important to you. Some tire features include slow wear rates, ride comfort, rolling resistance and low noise levels. Also, make sure you choose the right type of tires for your climate. For example, if you live in a cold climate, consider buying snow tires.
-
-
3
Find out what size tire is recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle. If you've never changed the tires on your car, you can find the size on the tire itself. You can also check the owner's manual or a placard in the car, which can be found in the doorjamb or inside the glove compartment. For information about where to find and how to read a tire size, consult the resources section.
-
4
Make sure the speed rating for the tires you choose fits with the tires the manufacturer recommends and is suitable for your climate. You can find out the speed rating by reading the tire's size, or you can contact the manufacturer.
-
5
Make sure the tires you choose for your car come with a tread-wear warranty. You want to make sure you can get some credit for replacement tires when your tires start to wear out. If you live in an area with lots of potholes or road hazards, try to find a warranty that covers the damage caused by these hazards as well.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Avoid buying tires that are more than a few years old. To find out how old a tire is, look at the side wall. You'll find the letters "DOT," for Department of Transportation, followed by four digits, which represent the week and year the tires were made. For example, the number 1005 means that the tire was made during the 10th week of 2005.
