Tires play a big role in your overall driving experience. Apart from supporting the weight of the vehicle, these components can improve handling, fuel economy, and safety—especially on rough or slick roads. So when it comes time to replace your tires, you’ll want to make sure you choose a product that can deliver peak performance. To help you with the selection process, here are a few important points to keep in mind the next time you visit your local tire dealer.  

4 Tips for Buying New Tires

1. Check the Specs

Tires feature a series of letters and numbers printed on the side, known as “sidewall markings.” These markings describe the exact size and features of the product.

If you have no complaints about your current set, simply ask your tire dealer for replacements that have the same markings.

If you’ve had issues with the ride, however, your current set may not be the right size. In these cases, refer to your car’s manual to see which specs are recommended for your vehicle.

2. Get the Full Set

While some of your tires may have a few miles left on them, it’s best to replace the full set at the same time. Doing so will promote even wear to improve overall handling, steering, and fuel economy. If there’s a used tire that’s still in good condition, you can keep it as a spare in case of flat tire emergencies.  

3. Consider Tread Pattern

If you drive a non-performance vehicle, you will likely need a tire with symmetrical or directional tread. Symmetrical products are the most common option, offering an affordable solution for daily use on passenger vehicles. Directional tread is ideal for all-season use as it’s better at handling wet and snowy roads. However, it tends to wear faster than symmetrical options.

If you have a sports car that requires improves handling around corners, you might prefer an asymmetrical or directional/asymmetrical tread.  These products, however, carry a higher price tag and a shorter life span than standard consumer options.

4. Check the Alignment

Over time, your cars’ wheels will shift out of alignment. Driving with poor wheel alignment can result in uneven tread wear, decreased fuel economy, and unstable handling. Whenever you have your tires replaced, ask your auto repair shop to align the wheels so you can enjoy a smoother and safer ride.

Next time you’re shopping for new tires in Summit County, turn to Hudson Goodyear. Offering a wide selection of nationally-recognized products—such as those from Goodyear®—this tire dealer will make sure you find the right solution for your vehicle. To extend the life of your tread, this team also offers routine wheel alignment and tire rotation, among many other car care services. Visit this Hudson, OH auto shop online to learn more about these resources or call (330) 650-8888 to speak with a skilled mechanic.