Which Type of Tires Do I Need?
We always joke about getting snow every winter; however, do you ever believe that maybe that means you should have actual snow tires for your vehicle? It is an intriguing question, and one we will discuss in today’s post. If you cannot answer confidently, come and check out the facts listed below:
Types of Tires
Tires are not simply limited to snow tires and all-season tires like you may think. There actually are types like rally tires, high-performance tires, touring tires, and several more.
There is basically a different kind of tire for pretty much any activity you may be doing in an automobile.
Thankfully, the tire’s name tells you precisely what they do; therefore, the lingo is simple to pick up. For example, snow tires help drivers travel better in the snow. A touring tire is made for quiet, smooth rides and is named for “grand tours,” or lengthy road trips in cars, in which you want comfort above everything else. For our tow truck services, we need a more heavy-duty tire to assist us in moving the vehicles we haul and lift each day.
If you do not recall asking for a certain kind of tire when you last purchased a set, or if you aren’t certain which ones are on your vehicle, more than likely you have all-season tires. As their name suggests, such tires are the jack of all trades, made with water channels for damp roads, yet harder rubber that can survive warm roads in the summertime.
Which Type of Tires Do I Need?
As with most things cars, the answer is “it all depends.” Our initial question which brought us here in the first place was about snow tires; therefore, let us look at those first. Although snow tires are referenced after the white, cold substance, they actually are made more for just damp roads and assisting you with traction on damp roads. For the actual snow, you place chains around the tire which help dig into the white, fluffy powder.
When you begin thinking about snow tires as just “water” tires or “wet” tires, they begin to make more sense. Our state has a rainy season each summer lasting anywhere from 2 to 5 months when the streets are going to be slippery each day. Within that context, tires which help your grip might be well worth it if you are in one of the heavier-rainfall regions; the only issue is that snow tires are not designed with warmth in mind. And within the summertime when it rains, it also is beating down the warmth on the road.
Could these tires be helpful? Definitely. If you see your vehicle hydroplaning a lot, these specially made tires might help move the water around the wheel in a more secure, safe manner. However, if you are placing more than 200 miles on tires each summer on a tire that isn’t built for it, there is an increased opportunity of blowouts because you’ll wear the rubber out more quickly. It is a conversation worth considering with your car dealership or mechanic to obtain the best tire for your specific needs.