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When buying tires, did you ever wonder if the salesperson was selling you four tires just to increase the sales? At Adirondack Tire, we recommend four only if your vehicle needs a new set of four tires for safety or performance reasons not for sales. There are vehicles were it is necessary to replace all four tires at the same time.
Since tires affect the personality and performance of your vehicle, all four tires should be as identical as possible or handling problems may arise. If your tires don't match, it is possible that one end of your vehicle won't respond as quickly or completely as the other, making it more difficult to control.
Four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles must use tires that are very closely matched. This is because different diameter tires roll a different number of times each mile as a result of the variations in their circumferences. Tire diameter variations can be caused by accidentally using different sized tires, tires with different tread designs, tires made by different manufacturers, different inflation pressures or even tires worn to different tread depths.
Mismatched tires or using improper inflation pressures for all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles can also result in immediate drivability problems. Some Control Trac equipped vehicles in 4Auto mode may exhibit a shutter on acceleration and/or a noise from the front driveline and transfer case while driving. Some all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles may exhibit axle windup or binding while driving. Some four-wheel drive vehicles (manual or electronic shift) with a two-wheel drive mode may refuse to shift "on the fly" into 4x4 Auto or 4x4 High at highway speeds.
Things to consider when buying tires:
JUST ONE TIRE?
If your tires have a lot of remaining tread depth, but you need to replace just one that has been damaged by an accident, road hazard or a vandal, you should replace it with a tire that exactly matches the others. Select a replacement tire of the same brand, line, size and speed rating. While there may be a less expensive tire available, it wouldn't be a bargain this time because it would be different than the other three tires on your vehicle.
A PAIR OF TIRES?
If two of your tires have a lot of remaining tread depth, but you need to replace the other two because they were damaged or have worn out, you should replace them with a pair of tires that come as close as possible to matching your existing tires. While identical new tires are desirable, others of the same size and type can also provide good results. Only consider selecting new tires that are from the same tire category as your existing tires. New tires should be installed on the rear axle.
While your vehicle is being serviced ask your mechanic why one pair of tires have worn faster than the others. Was it caused by a lack of tire rotation, out-of-spec wheel alignment or loose mechanical parts? Once the problem has been found, it can be corrected before it damages your new tires. Keep in mind that your ultimate goal is that all of your tires always wear out at the same time so they can be replaced as a set.
A SET OF TIRES?
If all of your tires are wearing out together, you have the greatest flexibility in tire selection. If you were happy with the original tires, simply replace them. If you want longer treadwear, a smoother ride or more handling, there are probably tires that will help you accomplish that. Review the tire category types until you find a category description that describes a tire that fits your needs. The website Adirondacktire.com is a great reference for the 50 most popular tires breaking down tires by category, mileage, and ratings. The professionals at Adirondack Tire have been in the business of tires for 32 years. They will give you recommendations on what tires are the best for your vehicle based on your driving needs.
If your car has all-season tires it could be like wearing sneakers. It is possible to walk down a snowy, icy sidewalk wearing sneakers--but it's a lot easier and safer to do it in proper boots.All-season tires are designed to cope with all sorts of conditions, including dry roads and rain, but are not optimized for any one condition. They are generally made from harder materials that don't conform to the road surface as well in low temperatures. Snow tires have tread patterns specifically designed to dig down and bite into snow and ice, plus they are made from softer rubber compounds that retain their flexibility in cold weather, allowing the tire to better conform to the surface of the road.
When it comes to driving in the winter with snow and ice all-wheel and four-wheel drive as well as ABS and traction control system are not enough to keep you safe. Electronic driving aids are good but it's the tires that create traction. These systems are only capable of manipulating or limiting your vehicle's acceleration, braking and cornering capabilities to the traction provided by your tires. Before winter hits, examine your tires for excessive wear. Consider snow tires over an all-season tire for the best traction in snow and ice.
Fall is a beautiful time of year. The changing leaves, fresh apples and cider donuts but within a few short it will be just a memory as the winter months will be upon us and the scenery changes. How will your tires fair in the snow and ice? Now is the time to start planning. Will you go with an all-weather tire? A snow tire? Or even a studded snow tire? Where you live, your commute (if any) and your vehicle all should be a factor when decided what your best options are. A trained tire professional at Adirondack Tire can help you make the best choice for your vehicle and keep you safe this winter.
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