Tires are the point of contact between your car and the road it’s driving on, which is exactly why they need to be replaced so often compared to most other vehicle components – and why it’s important to choose the right tires for a replacement.
For drivers in Minnesota, the intense weather conditions, particularly in the winter, necessitate tires that are up to the various challenges they’ll face on the road throughout the year. A few different factors go into determining what sort of tires will be the best choice for your car. Continue reading to learn how to choose the best tires so your car is safe to drive across every season.
5 Things to Consider When Replacing Your Tires
- Your Driving Habits – Perhaps the most important consideration when putting tires on your car is how often, and in what ways, your vehicle is used. If you pretty much just use your car for short-distance commutes, your tires may not need to be as robust as those on a vehicle used for trailer hauling or frequent long-distance travel. While it’s always smart to have reliable tires on your wheels, certain drivers just don’t need the premium performance features of more expensive tires.
- Winter Weather – When changing your tires in Minnesota, the treacherous winter road conditions are always a key consideration. Tires that are balding or aren’t designed to handle slippery terrain can place you in a life-threatening situation if you’re driving on a road covered in snow or ice. However, swapping to snow tires each season can also be very expensive. If you tend to stay at home when there’s snow on the road, it might be more cost-effective to stick with high-quality all-season tires. Car owners who do a lot of driving all year, no matter the weather, would be wise to invest in winter tires.
- Tire Size – Each car needs a specific size of tires. If you bring your vehicle to a mechanic, dealership or tire shop for tire replacements, they should know exactly what size your automobile needs. However, if you’re going to be performing a do-it-yourself tire replacement, make certain that you purchase the correct tire size for your make and model.
- Speed & Load Ratings – Each type of tire comes with specific speed ratings – which denote how high of speeds a car with the tires can be reliably driven with – and load ratings, which identify how much weight the tires can support without excess wear and tear. Most tires will have a speed rating well beyond anything you’re likely to be driving in Minnesota but it doesn’t hurt to check. Load ratings can be important, however; if you’re in the habit of using your car and truck to transport heavy objects, it’s important to make sure your tires can safely handle the strain.
- Make & Model – Just like cars themselves, the quality of tires may vary greatly based on the company that manufactures the tires and the particular model of tire. Before purchasing new tires for your cars, do some research into the best types of tires on the market that will suit your car. Some of the most reputable tire brands include Michelin, Continental, Goodyear and Bridgestone.
In Need of Tire Replacement?
If the time has come to put new tires on your car, let a trusted local auto technician handle your tire replacement. Contact Arvu Auto today if you’d like to make a tire replacement appointment at our shop in the West Minneapolis metro area!
