How do I know what tires are right for my vehicle?

What makes one tire better than another? Perhaps the question is, what makes one tire better than the other for your driving needs. And what vehicle are you driving? While price can be a good indicator when it comes to tire quality, buying the right tire for your needs is more important than finding the most expensive (or least expensive) tire out there.

There’s a reason maximum-performance sportscar tires cost three or four times as much as an all-season tire for a regular family hauler (vastly increased grip and cornering ability is the reason), but those tires will be absolutely useless on a four-seasons sedan and last half as long or less.

The first thing to consider is the size. In many cases that will set the range for price and performance attributes. Common tire sizes range from 14 to 22 inch, with those numbers referring to the diameter of the rim. You can tell a tire’s size by looking at the indicator on the sidewall. The Goodyear website notes that a standard passenger vehicle tire with a sidewall number reading P215/60R16, for example, would mean the 16 at the end indicates it fits on a 16-inch rim. You will also need to consider the type and capability of the tire, including such things as its speed rating, width and aspect ratio.

Information on the proper tire you should use can be found in a few locations, including your owner’s manual, driver’s side door jamb, inside the glove box door or the gas tank hatch depending on the vehicle. A number of tire manufacturers also have tools on their websites to help you decide the option based on your vehicle’s specific information, including make, model, year and option. It is advised you should always replace you tire with one featuring equivalent specs. If you plan to do otherwise, speak to an expert first.

Last, you will also need to select winter, summer or all-season tires according to where you live, or which type you want to purchase. From there, you can pay as much as you would like, being aware that more money usually translates into longer tread life, better overall traction and better cornering ability.