The tires on your car represent one of its most important safety features since without proper grip and responsiveness you are at a much greater risk of accidents and hydroplaning. Yet not all new tires are capable of giving you the performance benefits you deserve. If you would like to learn more about how to select the best tires, read on. This article will provide three useful tips for getting the most in terms of both value and safety.
Don't let warranty claims convince you to buy.
Tire manufacturers know that consumers tend to place a high emphasis on warranty. As a result, different manufacturers seem to be engaged in a near-constant war, with each one constantly boasting more and more outlandish warranty claims. Unfortunately, those who fall prey to such promises often find them difficult to capitalize on when something does go wrong.
The basic idea is simple: should your tires show unacceptable levels of wear within the warranty period, you will be eligible to receive new tires for free. The trick is that often buried in the small print of these warranties, you can find language stipulating that the warranty is in fact only good for covering a portion of the new tire price. Not only that, but the manufacturer may demand that you present so-called proof-of-care evidence--evidence that few car owners have ready at hand. Thus, while warranty claims can work on your behalf, you would be better off making your decision based on true performance data.
Disregard claims of "high performance."
Manufacturers tend to be no less hyperbolic in the language they use to describe their tires. The trouble is that certain terms denote objective information, while others are simply marketing up-speak. For instance, the term "all season" tells you something quite useful: that the tire is designed to perform well in all general conditions. This is a great keyword to be on the lookout for when shopping for new tires.
"High performance," on the other hand, though it sounds nice, doesn't have much to offer for most people. Technically this term is meant to designate tires that have been designed for high-speed use. But more and more it is used to simply puff up the descriptive language of general purpose tires. Do yourself a favor and stick to hard data when trying to decide which tires will best meet your needs. Finding a reputable tire dealer like Action Al's Tire Company is another great way to ensure you understand a tire's true benefits before you buy.
