Car Tires: What Type Do I Need?
What’s the hardest-working component in your vehicle? Some car parts deal with more friction and strain than others, but few components put up with more wear and tear than your tires. Because of that, tires usually last just three to five years before wearing out — and when that happens, tire repair won’t help. Instead, you’ll need to buy replacement tires.
Whether you’ve bought new tires multiple times, or this is your first time, it’s a good idea to know what your options are. Here is Ramona Tire and Service Centers’ comprehensive overview of the tire varieties local drivers should be familiar with.
What Do You Need From Your Tires?
If you haven’t bought tires in the past, you might assume that most tires are similar to each other. However, there are many different tire varieties on the market, and your selection could significantly affect how your vehicle drives and what conditions it’s ready for.
Before visiting a tire shop to find tires for your car, it’s a good idea to consider your needs. Factors that could have an impact on your tire search include:
- Your tire diameter: First and foremost, your tires need to be the correct diameter for your vehicle. To find this information, look at the numbers on your current tires’ sidewalls or the sticker on your driver’s-side door.
- The roads you typically drive on: Where do you spend the most time driving? Paved roads in residential areas, dirt trails out in the country, or city highways? Your answer to this question will determine the type of tires you need.
- Your driving habits: You’ll need tires that drive the way you like, whether you drive a top-of-the-line sports car at high speeds or stick to the speed limit in a typical vehicle.
- The weather: What is the climate like in your area? Different tires do better in different weather conditions, so be sure your new tires match the weather they’ll face.
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Choose the Right Tire Variety
With these factors in mind, you’ll be ready to find the right tires for your unique situation. A few tire varieties you’ll want to look at include:
All-Season Tires
For people who drive in changing weather conditions, it’s hard to beat all-season tires. These are high-performance tires capable of delivering excellent handling whether the pavement you’re driving on is wet or dry. They also provide fuel efficiency benefits and fantastic tread life, but they don’t function that well in wintry settings.
Snow Tires
Though Southern California gets less snow than other parts of the state, snowfall isn’t unheard of. When dealing with snowy or icy road conditions, you’ll want snow tires — tires made from specialized rubber that doesn’t harden in cold temperatures.
Summer Tires
Summer tires are built to provide exceptional performance when the weather is warm. Like all-season tires, they offer great traction on wet roads, while delivering even better grip in dry conditions. That said, the soft rubber used in these tires means they’ll do worse in cold-weather conditions than all-season tires will.
Touring Tires
Are you looking for top-of-the-line handling, a smooth driving experience, minimal road noise, phenomenal tread lifespan, and high reliability? If so, you’re looking for touring tires; just avoid using them in cold weather.
High-Performance Tires
High-performance tires are built to meet the needs of sports cars and other luxury vehicles. These tires usually have a wider body and a shorter sidewall than other wheels, and they’re comparable to racing tires in terms of how they handle cornering and high speeds. The catch is that these tires wear out quicker than you might expect.
Mud Tires
The most dedicated off-road enthusiasts can benefit from putting mud tires on their vehicles. These tires have some of the deepest treads around, so they’re great at driving on mud. However, they aren’t the best at handling paved roads and highways.
All-Terrain Tires
Are you a truck or SUV driver looking for a compromise between off-roading excitement and day-to-day driving? In that case, all-terrain tires might be the best option for you. These tires have deeper treads than those found on the average set of wheels, but they are not as deep as those on mud tires. As a result, all-terrain tires excel at dealing with unpaved surfaces and paved roads alike.
Get Tires From a Trustworthy Tire Shop
As you can see, there are many tire varieties for Southern California residents to choose from. But whether your tires need to deal with off-road conditions, ice, snow, or high speeds, one thing won’t change. No matter what tires you want, you’ll need to buy them from a reputable tire shop.
Ramona Tire is the area’s top choice for new tires and tire repair. That’s because we’ve been hard at work providing these products and services to local people since 1969, and our ASE-certified mechanics can resolve any challenge your vehicle might encounter. Along with that, we can help you save money on tires and more with our online coupons.
Take a look at the tires we have in stock today!
