Top 4 Things to Consider When Selecting New Tires
Tires play a very significant role in enhancing your car’s performance and, therefore, should be selected with great care. A good set of new tires offers unmatched traction, acceleration, enhanced braking and overall control over your vehicle. Buying new tires is easy, but finding the right set for your car can prove to be nerve-wracking. Stick to these top 4 things when selecting new tires for your vehicle.
- Quantity
New tires can be a very costly investment; therefore, you want to be very vigilant when buying them, unless of course, you have the extra buck to spare. Determine how many tires need to be replaced. This, you can do by checking for excessive wear and tear or irreparable damage such a sidewall puncture.
After carrying out a thorough inspection, decide whether you want to replace just one tire, a pair, or the entire set. If you’re going to replace only one tire, match it with the other three in the same brand, size, design, speed and load rating, etc. If not the whole set, ensure it is the same as the one on its axle, to avoid issues with traction.
If your vehicle is a four-wheel or all-wheel drive, it is best to replace the entire set with new tires.
- Size Matters
After quantity, comes size. Choosing the best size of new tires for your vehicle will prevent any chance of experiencing tire failure. The size specifications usually are on a placard on the driver’s door and also on the sidewall of the tire. The size specifications are as follows;
Take, for example, a tire of size P170/60R12. The prefix P indicates the type of tire, which is, in this case, is a passenger vehicle tire. Those with the LT prefix are for light trucks. Right after the type is the section width, which is in our case, 170 and is measured to the nearest millimeter. The section width is a measure of the maximum inflation point.
The number 60 is the aspect ratio, which is an indication of the height of the sidewall, expressed as a percentage of the section width. The R shows radial construction, while 12 is the recommended rim diameter. Make sure your new tires fit into the rims size, or you will have to buy new rims altogether.
- Find a suitable type
The type of new tires you choose depends significantly on your vehicle type, your location and how often you use the car. If you live in or around Dallas, you should visit Mike’s Tire shop to help you with your choice. Passenger tires offer minimal road resistance, excellent traction and are relatively quiet. On the other hand, Light Truck tires thrive on rough roads and rugged terrain and are altogether great for an off-road thrill.
You can also opt for seasonal tires such as winter tires which are studded and offer unbeatable traction in the slippery conditions of winter. However, you will need to replace them as the seasons fluctuate frequently.
- Budget
New tires may leave a significant dent in your pocket, but you do not need to rob the bank to get the best tire for your budget. Economy tires are an excellent choice but in the short term. Expensive tires and those of a well-known brand are far more durable than the economy tires, and they provide excellent fuel economy. Always make sure you settle for the best quality tires at your preferred price range.
