If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed when shopping for tires, it’s certainly quite understandable; after all, most online and brick-and-mortar tire shops feature an array of different makes and models. However, once you know the correct size tire for your ride, you still have to decide which brand is best suited for your vehicle.
To help make the tire shopping process a bit easier, check out the following four tire models, all of which have received stellar reviews for their performance:
1. Best All-Around: Goodyear Assurance TripleTred All-Season
An all-season tire is a great choice, especially if you live in a part of the country that experiences different weather conditions year round. Take the Goodyear Assurance TripleTred All-Season tire, which, on average, gets 21 percent improved wet traction than leading competitors.
Besides its ability to deal with slick roads, the tire comes with an 80,000-mile warranty and has three different sections of grooves and treads to handle wet, icy and dry roads. The tires will fit on regular passenger cars and minivans and it offers a nice smooth ride.
2. Best Value: Pirelli Four Seasons
These tires come with an extra generous 90,000-mile warranty, which helps set it apart from most other tires that feature more limited warranties. Thanks to the P4 tires’ silica compound and siping on the edges, they can handle most kinds of weather conditions with ease; they’re also ideal for sedans, coupes and minivans.
Additionally, the P4 is a budget-friendly all-season tire that features grooves down the center to help prevent hydroplaning. If you live in the Pacific Northwest or other areas of the country where rainfall is the norm, then this is certainly a nice safety feature to have on an affordable tire.
3. Best Run-Flat Tire: Bridgestone DriveGuard
For people who spend a lot of time driving alone and/or in the middle of nowhere, a run-flat tire can be a great option to help put your mind at ease. The Bridgestone DriveGuard tire can be driven for up to 50 miles after a total loss of air pressure. So, even if you’re in the boon toolies when you hit a nail, this should be enough distance to get you to a service station. Additionally, these tires offer a quiet, comfortable ride, with great handling in a variety of weather conditions.
4. Best Performance Tire: Bridgestone Potenza RE-11
If you own a snazzy sports car, the Bridgestone Potenza RE-11 is a terrific option that can handle both a racetrack and regular city streets with ease. Say it’s rainy outdoors. Well, this tire can handle a wet road without losing its grip and can also corner well in dry conditions. Like most performance tires, the Potenza RE-11 does not include a warranty on treadwear.
A Few Words About Tire Pressure
None of the aforementioned tires will be the “best” at anything for long, particularly if they’re not taken care of and well-maintained. No matter which type of tires you choose, make sure they’re always properly inflated. The correct air pressure in a tire will distribute the weight of your car evenly across the tread pattern to ensure it always maintains stability.
Now, if your tires are overinflated or underinflated, they will obviously not handle, stop or corner as well. With that in mind, make sure to check your tire pressure at least once a month — preferably when your tires are cool — and ensure they’re inflated to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Happy Tire Shopping!
Of course, while there are a number of different tire makes and models on the market today, this guide should help narrow down your search a bit and hopefully make shopping for new tires a bit less stressful. By focusing on key selling points like a budget-friendly tire and/or one that still functions when flat, you can rest assured knowing you purchased the best possible tire for your vehicle.
