Matthew DeBord/BI
Michelin Man, help me out!
- Tires are an overlooked, yet critical, part of your car.
- Buying new ones can be confusing, so we've created a simple breakdown.
- You can spend a little, a lot, or something in between.
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Tires matter! Unfortunately, they're often overlooked, with drivers simply asking for the cheapest set that money can buy when it comes time to replace the rubber their vehicles came with.
Price matters as well, and there good budget options out there. But it's always worth it to assess both your own needs and the design of your vehicle when researching new tires.
From my perspective, I think it's a good idea to go the budget route if you have an older vehicle that you aren't driving in a spirited way and don't rely on for commuting. It's best to pay up for high-quality, high-ticket tires if you're commuting daily or have a vehicle that's built for speed or to head off-road.
And don't forget that tire maintenance matters: you should rotate them regularly, have them aligned and balanced, and periodically examine them for tread wear.
Here's a brief guide to tires, to lend an assist on your next tire-shopping excursion.