How To Pick The Best Tires For Your Vehicle

September 25, 2017

Cleveland is just a stone’s throw from the rubber capital of the world, Akron, Ohio.  You’d think we’d be experts in all things rubber, right? The truth is, we can all benefit from a refresher on tires. We all know that when the tread starts to go, it’s time to buy new tires.  But where do you begin that search?

Fall is the time of year when the weather starts to get a little more precarious, and tire health takes on a larger focus in our vehicle maintenance routine. Let’s take a closer look at considerations to make when purchasing a set of tires for your car in Northeast Ohio:

  • How do you know what tires to get? Does season play a part in that decision?

Always be aware of what kinds of conditions these tires are in for.  If you are here in Ohio, your tires are going to go through different weather and road conditions than someone might encounter in California.  It’s important to get a tire that can accommodate Mother Nature’s temperament in your locale.

  • Does all-season mean “better” in all seasons?

All season tires were never meant to be snow tires, so that answers that question immediately.  Chances are, if you live in Northeast Ohio, and especially if you live in the Snow Belt, you are going to want to consider a snow tire.  Beyond that it’s worth noting that a traditional tire can sometimes offer more grip on wet roads than an all-weather tire would.  You might even be better off going with the traditional or “summer tire” and then getting a set of winter tires just for the “snowy” months.

  • How do you know what size to get?

The side of your tire has all kinds of important info on it, but it doesn’t mean much if you don’t know what you’re looking at.  The owner’s manual of your car can help decipher the information for you, but know that embedded in that code are metrics like tire size, the weight of the load the tires can handle, and the speed rating for the tires.  All of that information comes in to play when making the right tire purchase.

You are better off consulting with a professional than trying to do it on your own.  Schedule an appointment with the experts at Rad Air and let them take a look at your tires and make recommendations for you.  If you need new tires, we’ll make sure to get you the best fit for you and your driving needs in Northeast Ohio.