For a typical daily-driven road car, there are three options for tires: summer tires, winter tires, and all-season tires. If you don't want to swap in new tires with each season, then all-season tires are the best choice. This style of tire can be used year-round in a multitude of weather conditions, although most all-seasons do not excel in any one area.
Selecting the best all-season tire for your vehicle requires a different set of considerations from choosing a summer or winter tire. Since you're buying a jack-of-all-trades, you want to focus on getting the best bang for your buck with the fewest compromises. These three tips will help you to get the best performance for your budget.
1. Focus On Longevity Over Performance
Remember that summer tires offer the best dry weather performance while winter tires provide the best performance in cold weather. While all-season tires typically cannot match these specialized options in their niches, they usually offer much better tread life and wear characteristics. Combined with their ability to work year-round, this means that all-seasons can save you quite a bit of money.
To maximize your savings, it's a good idea to focus on longevity over performance. While this doesn't mean that you shouldn't choose a tire that meets your performance needs, you should make sure that your choice can go the distance. If you find yourself replacing all-season tires too often, then you may be better off selecting separate sets of winter and summer shoes.
2. Don't Ignore Weather Handling
It may not surprise you that all-season tires perform adequately in every season, but that doesn't mean that every set can handle all conditions equally. Some all-season tires have better wet handling, while others offer superior snow traction or dry weather performance. You'll get the most value out of your tires if you select a set tailored to the conditions you drive in most often.
3. Know Your Vehicle's Weaknesses
The right tires should complement your vehicle's strengths and help to overcome its weaknesses. If you drive a high-performance car, then tires that focus on comfort over grip may hamstring its performance. Conversely, large SUVs rarely benefit from high-performance tires, and their large cabins lead to more road noise. In these cases, it's better to focus on quieter, more comfort-oriented options.
Selecting new shoes for your ride isn't rocket science, but it does demand a bit of care and thought. Taking the time to choose the right all-season tires will ensure that your vehicle performs as it should. Local tire dealers can help you find the right fit for your car.
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