The term “all-weather tire” gives drivers a vision of something that handles road conditions in any kind of weather.
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Choose Tires Based on Climate, Driving Style or Vehicle
Tires, like vehicles, are designed for specific uses. How do you know if choosing an “all-weather” tire—also known as an “all-season” tire—is the best solution for your driving style and conditions?
“There are many areas of the continent where all-season tires perform well,” said Robert Abram, product planning manager at Yokohama Tires. “If you see a lot of snow into deep spring, then winter tires may be a better choice.”
Or if you drive a high performance vehicle, summer tires may be a better choice to help improve traction and handling.
According to Abram, all-weather tires are intended for drivers looking for long tread life and good traction in most weather conditions such as rain, cool weather and summer roads. They are not designed for harsh climates that have extended periods of subfreezing weather such as Canada or rural Nebraska.
“There are varying degrees of how tires respond in different weather,” said Robert Abram, product planning manager at Yokohama Tires. “Drivers need to take stock in what their road conditions are really like,” Abram said.
As an example, drivers in Los Angeles face mild temperatures year round. All-weather tires handle the area’s cool spring rains and warmer summer roads.
In contrast, drivers in New England encountered six months of freezing temperatures. Winter tires may offer a better, safer choice for icy road conditions encountered long into spring.
How well streets are kept clear also makes a difference, Abram said. City drivers in Chicago may be able to use an all-weather tire in winter or summer since plows operate quickly during storms.
“All-season tires are not going to be appropriate in a blizzard but there are a lot of weather conditions where they perform fine,” Abram said.
Abram admitted selecting the right tire for your vehicle and driving conditions presents a mind-boggling number of choices.
“There are lot of tire products and they perform in a lot of different ways,” Abram said. “The tricky part is weeding through it all. One of the best things to do is ask your tire specialist a lot of questions.”
Quick Tips For Selecting The Right Tires
Here is Abram’s list of questions when choosing an all-weather or specialized tire:
“Most new vehicles are outfitted with all-weather tires from the manufacturer,” Abram said.
The best way to know if it’s time to buy new tires for your vehicle is to have them inspected by a professional, but there are ways to check them yourself. To meet legal safety standards in the U.S., a tire’s tread needs to be at least 2/32” deep. If the tires do not meet the 2/32” standard or are approaching not meeting it, you should replace your tires. When replacing tires, it’s important to select the right tire size for your vehicle. Not sure what size you need? Learn more about determining tire size.
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Tires should also be free of sidewall damage and irregular wear for optimal performance and safety. It’s also a good idea to learn what types of damage can be repaired vs. replaced so that you can safely extend the life of your tires.
You can evaluate your tires on your own through a visual inspection. Start with the tread — the part of the tire that contacts the road surface. Make sure the tire tread is deep enough and worn evenly all the way around without any irregularities. All DOT-regulated tires feature built-in treadwear indicators, commonly called “wear bars”, that will help you see when the tread is getting low. These indicators can be found in various places throughout the tread and will be even with the tread surface when the tread is worn to two-thirty seconds (2/32) of an inch. You should also examine each tire’s sidewall to ensure there is no visible damage.
You can also use the Penny Test to check your tire tread. This test can be performed in your own driveway in just a few minutes.
The idea of the penny test is to check whether you’ve hit the 2/32” threshold. Here’s how it works:
Check all four tires, especially in areas that look the most worn. If any parts of your tire fail the penny test, it may be time to replace the tire.
Consistent wear around the whole tire is normal. Uneven tread wear could be a sign of improper inflation, wheel misalignment, or a variety of other things. If you see uneven tread wear, you should have a technician inspect your vehicle.
If your tires pass these tests, you may not need to buy new tires just yet. It’s a good idea to reassess the tread every few thousand miles, or once a month, and even more often if you’re putting a lot of wear on your vehicle or driving long distances.
No matter how new your tire is, Bridgestone recommends checking inflation pressure every month and scheduling regular inspections with a pro. After five years, an inspection is essential to determine if a tire is still road-worthy.
We recommend tires that were manufactured 10 years prior (or longer) be taken out of service and replaced with new tires. Same goes for the spare. If it’s 10 years old, it needs to be replaced, even if it appears new.
It’s important to note that the age of a tire is not the only indicator of whether it needs to be replaced. Many tires will need to be replaced before 10 years of age due to routine tread wear and other conditions such as punctures, impact damage, improper inflation, overloading and more. If a tire is worn out or otherwise unserviceable from damage or conditions of use, it should be replaced regardless of when it was produced or purchased.
Another common tire-buying question is if it’s necessary to replace all four tires at once. The simple answer is yes. It is recommended to replace all four at once because your tires are key to the performance and handling of your vehicle, it’s important for them to be as identical as possible. If your tires don’t match, one end of your vehicle may not be able to respond as quickly as the other, making it difficult to control. Your tires are what keep your vehicle connected to the road, so having an even surface is vital.
If you are in a situation where you will be replacing fewer than four tires, select tires that are similar to what is currently installed on your vehicle. If you are replacing just two tires, those two tires should only be installed on the rear axle. You should only consider tires that are within the same category as your existing ones.
If you have a vehicle that came equipped with a staggered fitment (different size tires on the front and back) then you should check your vehicle owner’s manual for replacement recommendations.
There’s no reason to guess. Talk to a tire dealer or other authorized professional so you can make certain you’re choosing the best tire option for your vehicle. Find out if tire rotation and balancing are included with your new tires. If they are not, see if you can bundle the maintenance service. Ask the dealer to outline the manufacturer’s warranty and replacement options to make certain your new investment is protected in the long run, and inquire about any specials they may be offering. With these tire-buying tips and some trusted ratings in hand, you should be able to confidently pick out new tires.
Bridgestone consistently strives to connect with drivers through our stores, dealers and media campaigns to raise awareness and educate consumers on safe driving and tire safety. We encourage all consumers to learn all they can about tire safety and why it's important to have their tires, including the spare tire, regularly inspected by a qualified professional.
Position on Recall Awareness and Tire Age
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