6 Best Value Tires in 2023 Tires cost a lot, and you need to get the best value for your money. But this can be daunting, especially if it’s your first time. The quality of your tires can significantly affect your car’s performance. So, you need the best value tires that provide a combination of affordability, safety, durability, and performance for your vehicle. Discover the top 5 tire brands you should look for when you go tire shopping. The Importance of Quality Tires – Price vs. Safety Did you know that in 2020, there were 664 tragic deaths in the US caused by tire-related accidents? That's why you should invest in tire brands that balance safety with price. Tires are the unsung heroes of road safety. You may know the basics of driving safely, like wearing seatbelts, stopping at red lights, and following traffic rules. But sometimes, it’s easy to forget tha ... read more
How to Choose Tires: 6 Factors to Consider With dozens of brands, sizes, and ratings, knowing how to choose tires can be a difficult decision, especially if you’re a first-time buyer. Whether you’re nearing the end of your tire’s lifespan or considering changing to a summer and winter set, you can narrow your search by knowing what kind of tire you want to buy before you start tire shopping. This guide will show you the 6 most important factors you need to consider before you buy. Factors to Consider When Choosing Tires Before you set out to choose your new set of tires, it’s good to have a general idea of what you’re looking for, including the type of tire you want to buy, your budget, and your car manufacturer’s recommendations. 1. Type of Tire There are four major categories of tires: all-season, all-weather, summer (performance), and ... read more
A crucial factor in your vehicle’s health, efficiency and performance is getting regular tire rotations. A tire rotation is when the tires of your vehicle are moved from one position on the vehicle to another. The front tires will move to the rear and the rear tires will move to the front, typically in a cross-diagonal direction, meaning they will also change sides. Your vehicle carries more weight at the front, so front tires will typically wear out faster. Tire rotation is done to prevent the uneven wear this can cause and to prolong the life of your tires. Your tires should be rotated at the same interval you get an oil change. The guidelines in your vehicle’s owner manual offer timing as well as the best rotation pattern for your vehicle and type of tires. The tires are the only part of the car which make direct contact with the road and influence your vehicle handling, ride, braking and safety. For optimum performance, tires must have the correct air pressure, tread depth, balan ... read more
Keeping your tires properly inflated is a key to getting the maximum fuel efficiency from your vehicle. Properly inflated tires also reduce tread wear, improve your car’s stopping distance, and decrease the chances of a blowout. Nitrogen-filled tires are said to have the benefit of keeping your tires inflated longer than the standard compressed air tires. The air in your tires eventually escape through the tire’s inner liner, but nitrogen-filled tires take a longer time. Routine maintenance is critical to long tire life, and proper tire pressure will ensure the good health of your tires. The greatest benefit that nitrogen-filled tires are said to provide is keeping your vehicle’s tires inflated longer, which saves you money at the pump. Even so, researchers have concluded that although nitrogen will slow down tire inflation loss, you’ll still need to check and top off your air roughly every other month to stay within the ideal inflation range. Nitrogen-filled Tires FAQ Q: Will I get b ... read more
Tire storage is an important factor in maximizing the life of your tires. While swapping out one set of tires for another is a challenge in itself, once your winter tires are removed, you still need to store them properly for the warm months ahead. It’s important that your tires be properly stored when they’re not in use in order to make sure they’re ready to go when the temperature drops. Storing your winter tires is beneficial because: Improper storage can result in reduced life for your tires or end up making them unusable. If your tires are not stored properly heat, UV light, or direct sunlight can break down the rubber and cause them to become damaged. Tires become unstable and deformed and you won’t be able to use them. Proper storage prolongs the life of your tires. Outgassing — aged rubber loses volatile oils which makes tires crack or “dry-rot.” Tire Storage Q&As Can tires be stored outside? Tires are best kept in a climate-controlled environment. Tire ... read more
Good tires are not cheap, so it is important that you do everything you can to extend the life of your tires. Because a vehicle’s tires are the first point of contact, road hazards such as small rocks, trash, debris, and salt and chemicals can be hazardous while driving. Attempting to avoid the debris is dangerous when driving because — both visually and mentally — it is hard to process the hazard level of an object in the few seconds a driver has to react. Drivers who encounter road debris, often don't have the time or space to avoid a collision, and these accidents can be quite serious. Encountering several unfriendly obstacles on the road such as potholes, steel plates, uneven seams, branches, roadkill, gravel, glass, and more are common. Even if this debris does not puncture your tire, it can cause your tires to wear down unevenly. If you notice road debris, or if you have to drive over rocky paths or gravel, drive slowly and carefully. Avoid these obstacles as much as you can. Tr ... read more
Tires are one of the most important safety and performance features of a vehicle. These specialized tools are the only part of your car which maintains direct contact with the road. This means there is a lot of planning and design put into the functionality of your tires. Look at your tires, what do you see? A mesmerizing pattern, since performance is key. The design of the tread on your tires isn’t only for aesthetic purposes. The arrangement of cuts into the rubber is done with the purpose of increasing traction, grip and overall functionality. The last time you bought tires, you probably heard terms like “symmetrical,” “directional” and maybe you were introduced to “seasonal tires” or even “all-weather tires.” These tires each gain their classifications because of the tread design they have. Tire Patterns Explained Most brands of tires use a variety of tread designs for each of the tire lines they produce. These designs are carefully designed to serve different functions. These spec ... read more
For the safety and performance of your vehicle, your tires should be installed by an expert technician. Proper installation enables your tires to function fully and provides maximum safety. On average, a tire installation takes about 45 minutes to an hour. After you have selected the right tires for your vehicle, your tires will be expertly installed. A proper installation includes: Inspecting the lugs or wheel bolts Installing new rubber valve stems where applicable Mounting the tires Balancing the new tires on your wheels Tightening the wheel lugs to the manufacturer recommended torque Servicing TPMS systems The Steps to Install a New Set of Tires When your tires are being replaced your, a tire technician uses a step-by-step procedure to properly mount your new tires unto your vehicle. The vehicle is placed on a mount to lift off the ground. The technician will unbolt the lug nuts on each wheel in a counter clockwise direction starting with the left front so ... read more
Your vehicle’s tires should always be inflated to their proper PSI (pound per square inch), which is the standard rating for air pressure within a tire. The PSI for your vehicle’s tires is generally found on the drivers’ door jamb, inside your owner’s manual or on the tire itself. Proper tire inflation will allow you to have the best possible control of your vehicle and gives you a more comfortable ride. For proper tire pressure and inflation: The pressure of your tires must be in accordance with the PSI recommended by the tire manufacturer. Tire pressure should be checked in the morning before you drive your car in order to get an accurate reading. Temperature affects tire pressure; when it is cold pressure will drop and rise when the temperature is warm. Use a dependable good quality tire gauge to monitor your tire pressure regularly. In addition to your brakes, your tires are your vehicle’s most important safety feature. If they are properly inflated with the p ... read more