How To Pick the Right Car Tire

Everything You Need to Know

Your car or truck needs new tires, so you bring it to the store and realize you have a choice of an overwhelming amount of options. Which set of tires is right for your needs? For many vehicle owners, answering this question can seem daunting. Fortunately, a few guidelines will help you make the right decision so that you can confidently tell your tire sales representative what you need. And you can always ask the experts at Titan Auto & Tire in Chesterfield, Virginia for help!

Tire Size and Rating

Take a look at your owner’s manual or placard in your driver’s side door jam. This should give you a label that looks something like this:

P215/60R16 94T

The first part of the label: P215/60R16 may have different numbers and letters, but should follow that format. It indicates the correct tire size for your wheels. You should make sure your new tires have the same numbers to match these measurements.

In the second part of the label, the number refers to the loan index, in this case, 94. The letter refers to the speed rating, in this case, T. You have a little more flexibility with these values, but if you are uncertain, we recommend matching your new tires to these ratings.

Types of Tires

Once you know the size and rating you need, you can choose a type of tire. These are a few of the options:

• All-Season: These are designed for use year-round. They are typically ideal for general use.
• Performance All-Season: These are similar to all-season but designed for performance. They are better for enthusiasts and sports cars.
• Summer: Summer tires are generally reserved for sports cars. They are great for high speeds but are not very capable in the winter.
• All-Terrain: All-terrain tires are generally only designed for trucks. They are much more aggressive and feature deep treads. They can be used off-road.
• Winter: Winter tires are optimized for use in snow and other wintery conditions. They will outperform all-season tire in these conditions.

Getting the Right Tires

Picking the right set of tires can be hard. It is easier with the help and advice of the friendly and professional staff at Titan Auto & Tire. Visit us at our Chesterfield location to get started!