Why do we Buy the Wrong Tires?

Do we really need the most expensive tires on the rack or can we make due with something a little less costly? This is the question that faces many of us on that fateful day when it’s time to buy tires once again. Unfortunately this purchase is something we should have saved for and prepared ourselves for, especially considering the amount of time between purchases, but most of us find the buying of tires to be a hit to our budget we aren’t quite ready for. Because of this many feel it’s a good idea to have the least expensive tires possible on their vehicle, but they would be wrong.

Actually, you can purchase whatever brand you want, this really won’t matter too much, and you certainly can buy the right size for your vehicle, but what does matter is the category your tires come in. There are specialty categories, which includes tires such as racing tires and off road mud tires and there are those which are made to perform well for us in a majority of the situation we are going to find for our everyday driving. It’s important to know the difference so you can be certain you have the right tires on your vehicle.

Overall tires can be put into four categories for you to make use of and learn which tires are right for your vehicle. These categories are summer, all-season, winter and all-terrain. These tires are what they sound like, but let’s discuss the differences so you can make sure you have the right tires on your vehicle.

Summer tires are good for dry and warm weather. If you drive on them in the cold temperatures they are going to lose traction and if you drive on them when the roads are wet you might find yourself all over the road. These tires are meant to give great performance to sports cars that need less grip on a dry and warm surface because the temperature and dryness create the friction needed for the tires to perform perfectly. These are not the tires you want for everyday driving unless you live in the desert.

All-Season tires offer you a deep tread and are made to stand up and work well even in the winter. Most vehicles you buy from a dealer will have all-season tires on them which makes for the best overall driving. These tires are meant for all drivers to be able to enjoy them no matter the condition, but they aren’t typically for off road use although some do claim to be good in lighter off road situations.

Winter tires can often be confused with mud and snow tires. A winter tire will have a three peaked mounts with a snowflake on it while a mud and snow tire will have M+S molded into the side. The winter tires are made to work well in freezing temperatures and on snow-covered roads that offer low traction. The deeper grooves and patterns help to give you the driving ability you need, but you still shouldn’t expect to speed on a snow covered road. With the mountain symbol you can feel confident in the tires when severe snow conditions have occurred.

The All-Terrain tires have larger tread blocks and more space between the treads to offer the ability for the mud, water, dirt and other items to be dispelled from the tire while driving. These tires are made to be driven off the road and into the wilderness. These tires are often rated for mountain and snow use also, but that’s not always the case. These tires are typically only used when you do head off road because driving on normal roads will wear down these deep treads quickly and cause you to need new ones much sooner than you should.

Since tires are what touches the road you drive on, these are the most important items on your car if you want it to perform the way it should for you. Make sure you have the right tires for the conditions you are going to drive in and don’t be afraid to spend a little more to make sure you have what is needed, your family may be riding along and be glad you have the right tires for the job.