What You Should Know When Buying New Tires for Your Vehicle
When it comes to buying tires for your vehicle, there are so many options for you to pick from. The choice, after all, depends on a number of factors. If you want the right tires, you need to know what you are looking for. The tire experts at Mavis Tires and Brakes are here to help and guide you to the absolute best solution in picking out the right tires for your vehicle.
What to Keep in Mind While Buying Tires
There are different types of tires that your vehicle can use, thus factors like the amount you wish to spend, the vehicle you have, and so on play a role. But, when going for tires, the main factors to keep in mind are:
Tire Size
The tire size is usually mentioned in the owner's manual or on the tire label located on the driver's door jamb. Apart from the width of the tire, you also need to know the aspect ratio. This is the relationship between the tire height and width. The load index of your tire, which can range from 0 to 279 and indicates how much weight the tire is certified to carry at a certain inflation pressure, is also important.
When you buy a tire, make sure you follow the owner’s manual. Also, make sure you are aware of the speed rating of your original tire when going to buy a new one. The speed rating tells you the top speed at which the tire can operate. They range from Q, which is the lowest speed rating, to Z, with one exception, which is that H falls between U and V.
Tire Mixing
Never mix radial and bias-ply tires on the same axle. If you must use radial and bias-ply tires on the same vehicle, the radial tires should be placed on the rear axle. You should also avoid mixing sizes. All tires must be of the same brand, having the same size. Mixing tread patterns like all-season tires with off-road tires is a no-no.
Tire Type
The type of vehicle you possess will help you make this choice. You should make sure your new tires are capable of meeting your needs. If you have a commercial vehicle, your tires will have to handle driving through dirt and mud, and regular wear and tear. If you drive a Sports Utility Vehicle, you will need durable tires that have good traction and which can support off road escapades. Similarly, a sports car would work best with tires that can be used at high speeds in wet or dry weather. So, the vehicle you have determines this factor.
These are the main things that you must keep in mind while getting yourself a new set of tires. However, apart from this basic distinction, types of tires can again be further classified depending on their purpose, or their style.
Different Styles of Tires
Highway / All Season Tires
These tires provide for a smooth, quiet ride. They come with good rain traction and a long tread life. They take relatively long to wear. Tires with this type of tread have a warranty typically from 20,000 to 100,000. A moderate tread will wear better than a more aggressive tread with the same rubber compound, but it usually depends on individual tires.
Snow Tires
These tires have low treadwear and better traction on ice. Snow tires are not merely allowed for snow. They are just designed specifically and optimized to perform well on snow. Thus, they are often called seasonal snow tires, though some can be used all year round. A seasonal snow tire is typically better in snow when compared to all-terrain and all-season tires. Their tread design and rubber compound are what give them better traction.
All-Terrain Tires
These tires are capable of good wear, and a majority of them are quiet on the road. All-terrain tires have a more aggressive tread.
High Performance Tires
High performance tires, are typically offer better handling, responsiveness and grip. Even some family cars have begun to use high performance tires, but they differ based on their speed ratings and other factors.These are some basics that you should know when it comes to finding the right tire for yourself. Without this basic tire knowledge, you will have a hard time trying to find the one most suited for your vehicle. Mavis can assist you in finding the right tires for your vehicle.
Get you tires at Mavis Tires and Brakes
Mavis, one of the largest independent tire and service providers in the United States, is based in Millwood, New York, with locations across 21 states, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. In addition to its expansive selection of tires from more than 20 major brands, Mavis offers a menu of services including oil changes, brakes, alignments, suspension repair, shocks/struts, and exhaust. For more information, visit mavis.com.