Choosing the proper and best performance tires for one’s vehicle is not easy to do without a bit of background knowledge in the matter. It is essential to consider the tires that are the best fit for both the vehicle and one’s style of driving, rather than the tires that are the most widely advertised or the tires that are the most expensive.
Factors such as one’s driving climate impact the performance of tires, as do the profiles of the tires themselves. For example, tires that are classified as low profile tires might significantly impact one’s car’s handling in a negative manner if they are not matched with suspensions that take advantage of them. With these thoughts in mind, here is a guide to choosing the best performance tires for one’s current or future vehicles.
1. First of all, it is worth considering the price of the tires. Although choosing the cheapest tires one can find is clearly not going to be in one’s best interests as far as factors such as braking and road handling abilities are concerned, one does not need to go in the opposite direction and blindly select the tires that are most expensive simply because they are the most expensive ones available.
The best tires are often located in the middle, and they will offer a range of desired features, such as long lasting compounds, a tread pattern that is advanced, and good performance in a variety of road conditions. However, it is important not to become taken by the cheapest deals one finds, as these might lead to one having to buy tires again shortly after due to the cheap tires wearing down before their time or significantly compromising one’s handling.
2. Second, look toward the braking performance of the tires. In fact, there are many drivers who naturally prioritize braking performance over any other factor. The rate at which one’s car is capable of coming to a complete stop from highway speeds will depend to a large degree on the pattern of the tread as well as the materials from which the tire is made.
Tires that are made of hard compounds will be more likely to lock up when the brakes are strongly applied, while tires that are made of very soft compounds will brake very quickly but will also be prone to wearing down before their time.
As a result, it is important to look for tires that are neither too hard nor too soft in their composition. This is why tires used in high speed auto racing are incredibly soft; it allows them to brake very well, but the compromise is that they are often replaced after every race.
3. Think of requirements based on the seasons in which one drives and the intensities of those seasons. It might sound obvious, but these are factors that people often forget to consider when purchasing performance tires. If one lives in an environment that is colder and prone to ice and heavy snowfall, it will be essential to choose performance tires that are built to work well in the snow.
In contrast, if one lives in a warmer or perpetually sunny climate, one will have more choices and will be able to choose all weather or all season tires without worrying about their ice and snow capabilities.