Step-by-Step Tire Buying Guide: Expert Advice & Tips
The tires on your car or truck are important. The rubber, tread, and tech that goes into those tires provide the driving performance you want. They also help keep you and your family safe and make every outing a bit more comfortable. The question is how to buy tires and get the right type for your vehicle. Our tire buying guide packed with expert advice and tips is designed to help you drive home with the right tires for what you drive, how you drive, and what you really need.
Step 1: Read the Tire Sidewall
Have you ever checked out the sidewall on your tires? Every tire sold in the U.S. includes a set of numbers and letters that correspond to size, type, and construction of the tire.
Whether you’re switching out your tires for a different look or added performance, a good place to start your search for that new tread is the sidewall on one of your existing tires. The professionals at your local Les Schwab will show you all of the right-size tires for your vehicle.
Learn how to read the sidewall information on your tires, including the tire size.
Step 2: Understanding Tire Basics
Depending on what you drive and where you drive, the right tires can seem easy to determine. However, weather conditions and performance needs (electric vehicle (EV) or offroad traction) play a crucial role.
There are six basic tire types to consider along with their intended purpose, including weather conditions, comfort, and seasonality. As you check out the different types of tires below, note that choosing one type over another results in a loss in either comfort, tread life, fuel or range efficiency, as well as traction related to weather and types of roads.
| Driving Conditions | Quiet and Comfort | Year-around use | Built for | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-Season Tires | Warm weather, rain, light snow | Yes | Yes | Moderate climates | ||||
| All-Weather Tires | Severe weather rated | Yes | Yes | Some severe winter weather | ||||
| Highway Tires | Warm weather and heavy rain (not meant for driving on snow or ice) | Yes | Yes (depending on where you live) | High-speeds and long trips | ||||
| Performance Tires | Warm weather and rainy conditions (not meant for driving on snow or ice) | Yes | Yes (depending on where you live) | High-speed and sporty driving | ||||
| Winter Tires | Snow and ice-covered roads (not good in warmer weather) | No | No | Severe winter weather, including snow- and ice-covered roads. | ||||
| All-Terrain Tires | City streets, highways, gravel roads, snow, as well as muddy trails | No | Yes | Light trucks, SUVs, and CUVs | ||||
| Off-Road/MT (Mud Terrain) Tires | Pavement, gravel, mud, dirt, and rocks | No | No | Light trucks, SUVs, and CUVs |
| Driving Conditions | Quiet and Comfort | Year-around use | Built for | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-Season Tires | Warm weather, rain, light snow | Yes | Yes | Moderate climates | ||||
| All-Weather Tires | Severe weather rated | Yes | Yes | Some severe winter weather | ||||
| Highway Tires | Warm weather and heavy rain (not meant for driving on snow or ice) | Yes | Yes (depending on where you live) | High-speeds and long trips | ||||
| Performance Tires | Warm weather and rainy conditions (not meant for driving on snow or ice) | Yes | Yes (depending on where you live) | High-speed and sporty driving | ||||
| Winter Tires | Snow and ice-covered roads (not good in warmer weather) | No | No | Severe winter weather, including snow- and ice-covered roads. | ||||
| All-Terrain Tires | City streets, highways, gravel roads, snow, as well as muddy trails | No | Yes | Light trucks, SUVs, and CUVs | ||||
| Off-Road/MT (Mud Terrain) Tires | Pavement, gravel, mud, dirt, and rocks | No | No | Light trucks, SUVs, and CUVs |
Understanding Key Tire Terminology
It’s important to understand key factors to have the right tire for your driving needs. These include tire size, performance rating, load rating, ply rating, expected mileage and tread design.
Tread
This is the part of the tire that makes contact with the road. Tire tread is specially designed for specific needs. Some tread moves water away from the tire to keep you in control, while others are designed to grip the snow or minimize noise and maximize comfort on a summer road trip.
Sidewall
The sidewall, found between the tread and the bead of the tire (where the tire meets the wheel), is designed to keep your tire stable. The more rigid the sidewall, the more it can resist puncture and weight. However, that added durability can minimize comfort.
Load Index
The load index is a number that correlates to the maximum safe carrying capacity of the tire when it’s inflated to its maximum pressure. Higher load index ratings mean your tires will be able to handle a heavier load.
Speed Rating
The tire speed rating is the maximum speed tires can safely carry a load (the original weight of your vehicle plus whatever’s in it) for a sustained amount of time in ideal conditions.
Load Range (Ply Rating)
Load Range is an older measure of tire carrying capacity equivalent to ply rating. The ply rating isn’t directly tied to the number of plies used in construction, so we recommend using Load Index when appropriate.
Step 3: Determine Your Driving Needs
Do you mainly drive to and from work? Are you on the highway a lot, traveling at high speeds? Do you face any rain, snow, or ice? Do you take your car on gravel roads very often? A tire’s tread can tell you a lot about what it is designed to do and help you decide which are best for you.
If you experience rain and snow, the special tread compound found in all-weather tires or the design of an all-season tire can give you more grip. If you’re on the highway a lot, performance and highway tires help provide better control and braking at high speeds.
Step 4: Evaluate Important Tire Features
Do you like a smooth, quiet ride? A narrower tire and shorter tread blocks can help. Check out our article Want Quiet Tires? Look for These Features, for more. When you’re craving more comfort, you should look for specially constructed tires to minimize the amount of road you feel.
Here’s what to look for to get quieter tires:
- Continuous, circumferential ribs (lines of tread that run around the whole tire) with straight grooves in between
- Varied and smaller tread block shapes to minimize cabin noise
- A reinforced shoulder, which stabilizes tread blocks
- Small hash marks inside the grooves that break up air flow
- Narrower tire sizes
- Softer rubber composition
Do you like to save money? Some tires are designed to maximize fuel and range efficiency, including EV (electric vehicle) and eco-friendly tires. Another way to save money is with a set of tires with a long tread life and a lower cost per mile. The longer you go before replacing them, the more you will save overall.
Step 5: Compare Tire Brands and Models
Not all tires are created equal. As with all things, you get what you pay for. Additionally, when you choose tires for a specific need, such as winter tires, there will be trade-offs in performance, tire life, comfort, and more.
If you want more comfort, you will likely need to give up some top-end performance (if you drive a sports car). To achieve fuel economy, it might minimize some of the tire’s life or traction. The professionals at Les Schwab can help you decide what is most important to you and help you narrow the options based on your budget and needs.
At Les Schwab, we only carry tires that we are certain meet our standards for safety, performance, and value. On top of that attention to detail, every tire we sell comes with America’s Best Tire Warranty. That includes our no-hassle road hazard protection, a 60-day satisfaction guarantee, and free tire maintenance along with a lot of extras you don’t pay extra for.
Step 6: Make the Purchase
The best tire for the money depends on what you drive, where you drive, and how much you drive. Sales and special offers come and go, but we suggest starting your search online. However, beware of shopping the discount places. You might save a few bucks, but you also run the risk of getting the wrong tire for your driving needs. Plus, if you purchase from an online-only retailer, you’ll need to find someone to mount the tires you bought online. Then there is the issue of warranty and service after the sale. And where do you go when you get a flat or need to make a return?
Choose Les Schwab and America’s Best Tire Warranty for your next set of tires. Our professionals will help you find the right tires for your vehicle and your region’s weather conditions. Or start your search right now.