Differences Between Tires– Are They Important?
Tires come in a variety of different styles that are marketed to produce better handling and performance under varying conditions. However, some people believe that it really doesn’t make much of a difference when the rubber meets the road. The truth is that it is beneficial if you have tires that are designed around the driving conditions that you will predominately encounter. Let’s take a look at how subtle design differences can give you a much safer ride the next time you get behind the wheel.
Steel-Belted Radials
These types of tires are very common, and they provide an extra layer of protection against punctures and gouges. Steel-belted radials also make up an integral component of the vast majority of tires that are on the road today. Layers of steel mesh are incorporated into the overall structure of the tire to give it some additional support. They not only reduce the chances of getting a sudden flat, but they also can contribute to the tire’s ability to grip to the road. However, they can also produce a little more noise and add weight to the tire.
Seasonal Tires
These tires are designed to provide maximum traction under various weather conditions. Treads are specifically engineered to displace water, dig through snow or be able to adhere to slippery surfaces. These tires tend to perform best under the conditions that they were designed to accommodate. For example, snow tires are ideal in wintry conditions whereas other tires are best suited for rainy or muddy surfaces.
All-season tires are created with compromise in mind. Part of the treads will do a good job with respect to displacing water while others will focus on cutting through snow. Their effectiveness will rest greatly on their design, and this will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
Class-Specific
Many tire products are designed to match a specific class of vehicle. For example, you can get summer tires for passenger vehicles, light trucks, SUVs and so on. The same applies for winter or all-season tires as well. Make sure that you are not only choosing the right kind of tire for your driving needs, but it’s also important to get one that has been specifically designed for your type of vehicle.
Size Matters
You should always follow the guidelines from your vehicle manufacturer when choosing the right size tires. Some people will argue that getting tires that are one step smaller can increase handling and performance. This may be true in some cases, but the weight of the vehicle will only enhance the impact of the stresses from driving. Wrong-sized tires are usually the ones to wear and fail faster when they are installed on the wrong vehicle. Tires that are too big or small will also impact fuel efficiency in addition to wearing down components of the wheel and steering system over time.
The best rule of thumb is to choose quality tires that are the right fit for your vehicle and predominate driving conditions. Is it worth the extra expense to by condition-specific tires? That depends on you, your needs and your vehicle, but it can’t hurt either. However, you can’t go wrong with choosing a good all-purpose tire to handle general, every day driving conditions in most cases.
