One of the first questions your dealer will probably ask you is,
"What type of tires are you looking for? The answer to this question
will depend on your vehicle and driving conditions.
If you seek comfort and handling...
Touring
tires help provide excellent dependability on wet and dry pavement. They
offer a balance of smooth and quiet ride with performance handling.
If you drive a sports car, or look for handling and performance...High-performance
tires are designed for use at higher speeds in dry and wet weather.
They have a softer rubber compound for improved grip, especially on
high-speed cornering.*
If you drive a pick-up truck or an SUV...Light
truck tires help provide durability and traction in adverse off-road
conditions. On the flip side, SUV tires are ideal for on-road,
comfort-tuned SUV applications.
If you own a commercial vehicle...Commercial light
truck tires are designed to handle driving through dirt, mud and
everyday wear and tear from commercial applications.
Ensure that your new tires meet your needs. Think about not only the
typical conditions, but also the worst conditions you foresee driving
in. What performance criteria are you looking for? For example, is wet
traction more important to you than cornering capability on dry roads?
The more you can tell your dealer, the easier it will be to find the
right tire for your needs:
Winter tires are designed to perform in cold, icy,
wet and snowy weather. They are optimized for handling and traction
under wet conditions, but can be used in dry conditions as well.
Most automobile tires are all-season tires. These
tires satisfy the needs of most road conditions. They have the deep
water channels for wet traction, but also harder rubber compound for
greater tire life in warm weather.
Off-road tires are ideal for drivers who take their
vehicle off the road and do limited on-road driving. These tires have
stiffer sidewalls for greater resistance against puncture when traveling
off-road. The tread pattern offers wider spacing than an all-season
tire to help remove mud from the tread.