Purchasing new tires for your car can be a daunting task. There’s a lot to learn and a lot of information that isn’t top of mind if you aren’t a car expert. But figuring out the best option before you head to the tire shop can be made easy by educating yourself with the info found below. From choosing the right tires for your specific vehicle, to understanding the different tire performance characteristics, to learning why tires fail and everything in between, there’s plenty of useful info for you to digest and to help make the tire purchasing process easy for you.
In this article, we cover the following topics:
Before making any big decision, you should spend some time researching your options. When it comes to buying new tires, you should view tire ratings and make tire comparisons online before you go to the tire shop. First, determine the type of tire that’s best for your vehicle. Second, compare the reviews of different lines of tires matching that type. And third, compare pricing and financing alternatives. If you’re seeking the perfect tire, you may not find it. Selecting the right tire is normally a balance of ride quality, noise suppression, fuel economy, wear, load capability and cost.1Armed with this knowledge, you’re less likely to be intimidated by the tire buying experience and more likely to drive home with a better deal.
Know when to replace your tires by reading this article.
If you’re happy with the performance of the tires currently on your vehicle, your choice is easy. Simply replace them with the exact same brand, model and tire size.2However, if you feel you need more traction, better handling, a more comfortable ride, or anything that you’re not getting from your current tires, it’s time to look into something new. If you are unable to find the brand you’ve been driving with, don’t worry. Just research similar tires online or ask a professional at your preferred tire shop for a recommendation.
Replacing a set of original-equipment tires can be more expensive than you might think. Learn more about how to finance a set of new tires in this article.
To help you define the tire type that matches your needs, The Michelin Tire Guide 3 suggests answering these three questions:
- What weather conditions do you drive in? What are the worst situations you may face?
- Where will you drive? City streets, long highways, and forest paths all require different performance characteristics.
- What is your driving style: do you like to experience every curve, or would you rather feel like you’re riding on a cushion?
Knowing the size and type of tire the manufacturer of your car recommends before you go tire hunting is a good idea. This recommendation is based on the size, weight, load capacity, off-road capability and steering for your specific vehicle. Changing the tire size and type could impact the handling of your vehicle. The two critical measurements to match are the tire's width (in millimeters) from sidewall edge to sidewall edge and its diameter from rim to rim.4,1
There are different tires for different seasons. Summer tires provide excellent grip and handling on both wet and dry roads. Winter or snow tires provide better grip on ice and snow. All-season tires provide excellent handling in winter or summer. By far, all-season tires are the most popular, as they can stay on the vehicle year-round.
- All-Season Car Tires Most popular. Designed to handle most conditions, including dry and wet pavement and light to moderate snow. Good tread life.
- PROs: Year-round traction, long tread wear and a comfortable ride
- CONs: Lacks the precise handling and grip of performance tires
- All-Season Performance Tires: Higher performance. Emphasis on handling. Shorter tread life.
- PROs: Higher speed rating, better grip, and better handling & braking than
- CONs: Higher price than standard all-season tires
- Ultra-High-Performance Tires: Highest performance. Extra grip and traction. Stiffer ride. Shorter tread life.
- PROs: Excellent handling and responsive steering in wet and dry conditions
- CONs: Higher price, faster tread wear and diminished ride comfort
- All-Season Light Truck Tires
Sporty look, superior all-season traction. Good ride quality and noise comfort.
- PROs: Designed for heavy loads. Performs well in most conditions
- CONs: Harsher, less comfortable ride
- All-Terrain Light Truck Tires
Rugged styling. Multifaceted tread blocks for good all-season traction on asphalt, gravel, dirt roads and light snow.
- PROs: Year-round traction, long tread wear and a comfortable ride
- CONs: Lacks the precise handling and grip of performance tires
- Winter/Snow Tires
Designed for superior grip in snow. Large number of biting edges for improved traction.
Softer rubber construction prevents hardening in cold conditions.
- PROs: Superior grip in ice and snow
- CONs: Faster tread wear than all-season tires
- Winter/Snow Truck & SUV Tires
Same characteristic as above. Designed for light trucks and SUVs
- PROs: Specifically designed for pickups and SUVs
- CONs: Can only be used in winter and in sets of four
A tire's speed rating (see chart below) is an indication of how well it will handle at a particular test speed.
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B - Up to 31 mph
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P - Up to 94 mph
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C - Up to 37 mph
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Q - Up to 100 mph
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D - Up to 40 mph
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R - Up to 106 mph
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E - Up to 43 mph
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S - Up to 112 mph
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F - Up to 50 mph
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T - Up to 118 mph
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G - Up to 56 mph
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U - Up to 124 mph
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J - Up to 62 mph
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H - Up to 130 mph
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K - Up to 68 mph
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V - Up to 149 mph
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L - Up to 75 mph
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W - Up to 168 mph
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M - Up to 81 mph
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Y - Up to 186 mph
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N - Up to 87 mph
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Z – 149 mph and over
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The higher the speed rating, the better the handling will be. Generally, high-performance cars use H (130 mph) or V (149 mph) ratings, while passenger vehicles use S (112 mph) and T (118 mph) ratings.
One thing to remember: Never mix and match tires with different speed ratings on your vehicle. This can cause serious problems with the handling of your vehicle.9
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As with high-performance tires, consider high-speed tires only if they fit your driving style.
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has rated more than 2,400 tire lines used on passenger cars, minivans, SUVs and light pickup trucks. Their lookup tool10helps you compare the following performance factors by brand and tire line:
- Traction
Tire traction ratings (AA, A, B and C) indicate how well the tire can stop on wet pavement.
The higher the rating the shorter the stopping distance.
- Temperature resistance
Temperature grades (A, B and C) indicate how resistant the tire is to heat—important if you drive long stretches in hot weather.
- Treadwear
Tires are graded from 100 – 600 as to their relative rate of wear. The higher the grade the better the tire stands up to wear.
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You’ll find all three performance ratings printed on your tire’s sidewall.
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Additional Considerations for Buying New Tires
While it may seem obvious, make sure that your tires actually need replacing. Not sure? Try the penny test.
Insert a penny between the tire tread with Lincoln’s head facing you and pointing down. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head above the tread, it’s probably time for a new set of tires. Ditto if you see uneven tread wear, cracked sidewalls, discoloration or bulging.4
Tire prices can vary from one tire store to another. Do as many comparisons as you can to find the best value. And be sure to ask for the “out-the-door” price, which can include mounting, balancing and providing the valve stem.11
Online tire prices are often lower than those at the local tire stores. But be sure to add in the cost of shipping as well as mounting and balancing before you spring for them. Some local tire stores will match an online price, so if you know the brand and model of the replacement tire, it’s worthwhile to first price it online.11
It’s not recommended that you buy just one replacement tire because modern suspension technology is designed to work best with a matching set of tires. For uniform performance, it’s recommended that you replace all four tires at once. If you can’t replace all four tires at once, it’s best to look at replacing both tires on the front or the rear axle simulatanelously.4
It’s a good idea to have your wheel alignment checked annually. At the least, have it done when you buy new tires, so they don't immediately start to wear unevenly. Many tire shops guarantee alignment work for up to one year, so bring your vehicle back before the guarantee ends to have the alignment checked again. Some shops even offer lifetime tire alignment services, so be sure to check with your preferred shop on any offers they may have. 12
Tires aren’t maintenance free; they lose air over time. Underinflated tires decrease gas mileage and are more likely to suffer a blowout. Help avoid problems by checking the tire pressure and inspecting your tires monthly.13
Learn more about how to fill your tires with air by reading this article.
When you’re ready to purchase or replace your tires, head to the Synchrony Car CareTM website to learn about promotional financing* with a Synchrony Car CareTM credit card for new auto and light truck tires and major automotive repairs.
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*Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. Visit mysynchrony.com/carcare or merchant for details.
Synchrony Car CareTM offers promotional financing for new tires and automotive repairs when you use the Synchrony Car Care credit card.
No interest if paid in full within 6 Months* on purchases of $199 or more made with the Synchrony Car Care credit card. Interest will be charged to your account from the purchase date if the promotional balance is not paid in full within 6 Months. Minimum monthly payments required.
Qualifying purchase amount must be on one receipt. No interest will be charged on the promo balance if you pay it off, in full, within the promo period. If you do not, interest will be charged on the promo balance from the purchase date. The required minimum monthly payments may or may not pay off the promo balance before the end of the promo period, depending on purchase amount, promo length and payment allocation. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases and, after promo period ends, to the promo balance. For New Accounts: Purchase APR is 29.99%.