Basic Factors To Consider In Buying The Right Tires For Your Vehicle |
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Mack Goodwin
27 December 2012
When you ask car users what feature plays the biggest role in keeping a vehicle safe, most of them will probably answer seat belts, air bags or even the brake system. These are indeed important in ensuring car safety; however, the best answer to this question is actually the tires. Tires are the most important feature in securing a vehicle's road safety - after all, they are the only parts that are in contact with the road. You can have a well-functioning seat belt or air bag, and you might have the strongest brakes, but whether you incur any injuries or accidents depend on how well your tires can grip the road. As such, it's very important to keep your tires in good shape and know how and when to replace them when necessary.
For those who are looking for replacement tires, car experts share that one of the most important factors to consider is the tire type. Each vehicle requires a specific tire to ensure high-quality performance, and you can choose from five basic types: all-season, all-terrain, winter-use, performance and off-road tires. Standard tires for most new vehicles are usually the all-season type. As its name implies, this kind of tires can be used for wet and dry conditions throughout the year.
All-terrain types are best for SUVs and light trucks. These are usually made more resistant to punctures by incorporating sidewalls that are more rigid than other types. All-terrain tires also have larger tread block patterns to improve grip in sandy or dirt-filled roads. Winter tires, on the other hand, feature heavily lugged patterns or more sipes - small slits in the tread blocks - to increase traction on slippery surfaces lined with snow or ice. In addition, winter tires may also be made of soft rubber that heats up while driving on the road.
If you drive a sports vehicle or if you want to increase tire contact with the road, the best option would be to use high-performance tires. These are made out of a soft rubber compound designed to improve grip and cornering. These can ensure safer driving at high speeds under both wet and dry conditions. The last type, off-road tires, features chunky tread blocks that ensure maximum traction even in loose soil or muddy and snowy surfaces.
New replacement tires are usually the safest choice; however, if you want to save a little more, you can also choose used tires. Tire experts state that you should inspect used tires in person to adequately gauge their quality and check for common problems such as bubbles, scalloping, or uneven wear. For those who are also planning on replacing their rims, car experts state that you must consider not only aesthetics, but also the functionality, size and weight of the rims and whether they are appropriate for your vehicle.