Most people need to replace their tires every six years. You may need to replace yours more often if they have low tread, are losing traction, or don’t hold pressure. Motorists have many choices, with leading brands offering a wide variety of options. However, if you bought a new car several years ago, all those choices may seem daunting. So which ones are right for you and your vehicle? Read on to discover which tires you should pick.
All-Season Tires Are Great All-Rounders
Most modern new cars have all-season tires. As their name suggests, these tires can handle most conditions. They offer a decent grip on wet roads and can even handle a little snow. You’ll find that all-season tires work well if you spend most of your time driving around McKinney, Texas. However, if you regularly travel to the northern states when the mercury drops, you may also want some dedicated winter tires that offer superior traction in the snow.
High-Performance All-Season Tires Boost Capability
While standard all-season tires will suit most motorists, upgrading to a specialist all-season tire may be worth it. High-performance all-season tires help your car handle better, especially around corners, when extra traction comes in handy. If you have a sports car or performance trim, you might find high-performance all-season tires help you push your vehicle to its limits. However, they’re not as grippy on winter roads as regular all-season tires.
Grand Touring All-Season Tires Suit Frequent Driving
If you love road trips, you might prefer grand touring all-season tires. Sometimes called simply grand touring tires, they have the low profile of all-season tires with some extra capabilities. You can usually drive these tires at faster speeds than average all-season ones. They also offer a smooth, comfortable ride, which is perfect for long drives. While they don’t usually handle well in moderate to heavy snow, there are all-weather grand touring all-season tires that can manage those conditions.
Summer Tires Are Hot Weather Specialists
Don’t let the name fool you. Summer tires suit driving conditions of at least 40 degrees, so you can use them through fall and spring in Texas too. They’re more responsive and grippier in warm weather than standard all-season tires, although they can slip when the mercury dips. They can be a good option for most of the year in Texas, but it’s important to remember the conditions and change them when you’re driving during cold snaps.
Like all-season tires, there are various performance options for summer tires. Ultrahigh-performance tires provide the least amount of responsive boost. Max-performance tires are the middle option, followed by top-tier extreme-performance summer tires.
Winter Tires for Excellent Cold Weather Traction
Once called snow tires, winter tires have deeper treads to provide maximum traction over frost, ice, and snow. Tests prove winter tires are better at turning and braking in icy conditions than all-wheel-drive vehicles with all-season tires, so they’re worth considering if you love ski vacations or regularly visit family in snowy regions. They don’t handle as well as all-season and summer tires in warmer weather, though. If you want winter tires and live in Texas, they’ll be a supplementary set instead of your primary option.
All-Terrain Tires for Off-Roading
If you spend your weeks in the city and your weekends hitting the trails in your SUV or truck, all-terrain tires are the ideal choice. These tires have deep treads for different types of terrain, including mud and sand. However, you can also drive with all-terrain tires on city roads. Off-road terrain can wear down your tires faster than regular roads, but gentle braking and cornering can reduce wear and tear. It’s also worth keeping an eye on your tread levels, as you may need to replace these tires more frequently if you’re spending a lot of time off-road.
Choose a Similar Size and Capability To Maintain Performance
Most people choose new tires roughly the same size and capability as their old ones. This strategy helps your vehicle perform the way it always has. As automakers engineered your car to work well with these kinds of tires, it also ensures your vehicle performs safely. Check the sidewall of your tire to confirm its size and speed rating. The description will typically look something like this: 245/40-R18. These numbers explain that this tire is 245 mm wide, with a sidewall height of 40% of the tire width. It’s also a radial tire with a diameter of 18 inches.
Your tires also have a speed rating confirming how fast they can safely travel for any extended period. The tires on family sedans and SUVs have a lower speed rating than those on sports cars.
Tire makers express the speed rating as a letter from L to Y printed after the tire size. Tires with a speed rating of L have a maximum safe speed of 75 mph compared to tires with a speed rating of Y, which can handle speeds of more than 186 mph. If you want to maintain your car’s performance, you’ll want tires with a similar size and speed rating.
Changing Tires To Boost Performance
You can also change your tires to increase your vehicle’s performance. This is a bit more complicated, as you need to make sure your new tires will fit without rubbing any of your vehicle’s components. Changing the size of your tires can also increase noise and the risk of damage from potholes. If you’re considering making a significant change to your tire size, get professional guidance to help make the right decision.
Ask the Professionals
While this guide may help you decide which tires are right for your vehicle, you might still have some questions. For more personalized advice, visit our local dealership’s service center. Our team at Huffines Hyundai McKinney will answer your queries and help you find the right tires for your vehicle and driving habits. If you decide to purchase from our on-site tire center, we can also fit your new tires while you wait. At Huffines Hyundai McKinney, we take the hassle out of buying tires.