Need some help with tire terms
#1
Need some help with tire terms
I'm driving my late husband's beloved 2004 Monte Carlo LS (41,000 miles). It has two all weather tires purchased one year ago and still has two of the original tires. I am due for inspection shortly and plan to replace those two original tires at this time.
I am having occasion lately to drive more in snowy weather than ever before. I've done well with this car so far but did have an experience recently where I was caught in a snowstorm and at one point the car began to hydroplane just a little on a snowy/slushy road while I was on a bend, under power in 3rd gear. I let off the gas and it stopped. I'd suspected I should replace those older tires and now know that I must.
Anyway, I've been trying to figure out the difference between 1.) standard all weather tire 2.) all weather touring tire 3.) all weather performance tire.
In reading about these tires, I find that I do not really understand some of the terms being used.
What exactly does "high performance" mean as related to a tire?
What exactly does "sporty feel" mean as it related to a tire?
I understand things like "grips the road better" and "longer wearing", but the above two terms seem quite baffling to me.
Thanks in advance for any input on this!
I am having occasion lately to drive more in snowy weather than ever before. I've done well with this car so far but did have an experience recently where I was caught in a snowstorm and at one point the car began to hydroplane just a little on a snowy/slushy road while I was on a bend, under power in 3rd gear. I let off the gas and it stopped. I'd suspected I should replace those older tires and now know that I must.
Anyway, I've been trying to figure out the difference between 1.) standard all weather tire 2.) all weather touring tire 3.) all weather performance tire.
In reading about these tires, I find that I do not really understand some of the terms being used.
What exactly does "high performance" mean as related to a tire?
What exactly does "sporty feel" mean as it related to a tire?
I understand things like "grips the road better" and "longer wearing", but the above two terms seem quite baffling to me.
Thanks in advance for any input on this!
#2
Hi Donna, nice to hear from you again.
Choosing a tire can be very confusing for the average person, often because of the way manufacturers play with words for marketing purposes. With that being said, there is a difference but for most people a good "All Season" radial tire fits there needs. "High Performance" tires and those with a "Sporty Feel" are for "Spirited" drivers. Some have higher speed ratings.
Personally, I like to buy Michelin "All Season" radials at Costco. They are a quality tire, have good traction, tread life and warranty. They inflate the tires with Nitrogen and offer free rotation and flat repair. You can also buy "Hazard Protection" which is basically insurance. I had a screw go through the sidewall of a tire within 2,000 miles of the mfr. 80,000 warranty expiration. Costco not only replaced that tire, but the opposing tire on the same axle for free. I believe it's $20/tire for the protection.
To help make the decision that's right for you, here's a link to Costco's tire website with a lot of good info. on how to select the tire that's right for you and a glossary of tire terminology:
Tires: Shop for Car, SUV & Truck Tires - Costco
Hope this helps.
Choosing a tire can be very confusing for the average person, often because of the way manufacturers play with words for marketing purposes. With that being said, there is a difference but for most people a good "All Season" radial tire fits there needs. "High Performance" tires and those with a "Sporty Feel" are for "Spirited" drivers. Some have higher speed ratings.
Personally, I like to buy Michelin "All Season" radials at Costco. They are a quality tire, have good traction, tread life and warranty. They inflate the tires with Nitrogen and offer free rotation and flat repair. You can also buy "Hazard Protection" which is basically insurance. I had a screw go through the sidewall of a tire within 2,000 miles of the mfr. 80,000 warranty expiration. Costco not only replaced that tire, but the opposing tire on the same axle for free. I believe it's $20/tire for the protection.
To help make the decision that's right for you, here's a link to Costco's tire website with a lot of good info. on how to select the tire that's right for you and a glossary of tire terminology:
Tires: Shop for Car, SUV & Truck Tires - Costco
Hope this helps.
Last edited by plumbob; 01-17-2016 at 07:34 PM.
#3
I'm driving my late husband's beloved 2004 Monte Carlo LS (41,000 miles). It has two all weather tires purchased one year ago and still has two of the original tires. I am due for inspection shortly and plan to replace those two original tires at this time.
I am having occasion lately to drive more in snowy weather than ever before. I've done well with this car so far but did have an experience recently where I was caught in a snowstorm and at one point the car began to hydroplane just a little on a snowy/slushy road while I was on a bend, under power in 3rd gear. I let off the gas and it stopped. I'd suspected I should replace those older tires and now know that I must.
Anyway, I've been trying to figure out the difference between 1.) standard all weather tire 2.) all weather touring tire 3.) all weather performance tire.
In reading about these tires, I find that I do not really understand some of the terms being used.
What exactly does "high performance" mean as related to a tire?
What exactly does "sporty feel" mean as it related to a tire?
I understand things like "grips the road better" and "longer wearing", but the above two terms seem quite baffling to me.
Thanks in advance for any input on this!
I am having occasion lately to drive more in snowy weather than ever before. I've done well with this car so far but did have an experience recently where I was caught in a snowstorm and at one point the car began to hydroplane just a little on a snowy/slushy road while I was on a bend, under power in 3rd gear. I let off the gas and it stopped. I'd suspected I should replace those older tires and now know that I must.
Anyway, I've been trying to figure out the difference between 1.) standard all weather tire 2.) all weather touring tire 3.) all weather performance tire.
In reading about these tires, I find that I do not really understand some of the terms being used.
What exactly does "high performance" mean as related to a tire?
What exactly does "sporty feel" mean as it related to a tire?
I understand things like "grips the road better" and "longer wearing", but the above two terms seem quite baffling to me.
Thanks in advance for any input on this!
I would select normal Drive for snowy driving. If it begins to slide select Neutral to regain control, stay off the brakes in snow and ice.
I agree with plumbob on the tires at Costco, or Sams Club to get the Warranty.
You should also get an all wheel alignment when you get tires. It will save you the tires that you purchased.
My Lady friend got new tires and I suggested that to her. However she told me I didn't know everything? then a year later wi9th 5K on the tires they were junk. She had to replace all of them. She called me and said " did you know if you get new tires you should have an all wheel alignment done. I said yes! she said why didn't you tell me that! I reminded her that I did. She wasn't happy I am thinking it was still my fault??
#4
Definitely a good idea to get those original tires off there, they're definitely way too old at this point regardless how much tread is left.
As for the other questions, I wouldnt get hung up on all of the special adjectives the manufacturers throw out there. You definitely need an 'all season' tire to be able to drive in snow (ie avoid the various specific categories of 'summer' tires and 'winter' tires).
One suggestion would be to match these tires to the other tires you bought last year. Unless they're something real odd (or not an all season), you're probably just as well off getting another matching pair so that all the tires are the same.
If you're set on finding a different tire, id suggest checking out a website like tire rack. You can plug in your make and model, refine the search to all season tires, and look at what they've got. That way you can easily compare ratings, tread wear numbers, and prices of the majority of what fits your car. Even if you don't buy from there, there are still a ton of good reviews and information from people who actually bought those tires.
IMO any major brand of all season tires will work just fine. Unless you're racing the car or autocrossing it or something, then I wouldn't worry about trying to find a higher performance tire. Keep in mind that in general, the higher performance the tire, the softer the compound which in turn means that it'll wear out quicker. It's a tradeoff of grip vs tire wear.
As for the other questions, I wouldnt get hung up on all of the special adjectives the manufacturers throw out there. You definitely need an 'all season' tire to be able to drive in snow (ie avoid the various specific categories of 'summer' tires and 'winter' tires).
One suggestion would be to match these tires to the other tires you bought last year. Unless they're something real odd (or not an all season), you're probably just as well off getting another matching pair so that all the tires are the same.
If you're set on finding a different tire, id suggest checking out a website like tire rack. You can plug in your make and model, refine the search to all season tires, and look at what they've got. That way you can easily compare ratings, tread wear numbers, and prices of the majority of what fits your car. Even if you don't buy from there, there are still a ton of good reviews and information from people who actually bought those tires.
IMO any major brand of all season tires will work just fine. Unless you're racing the car or autocrossing it or something, then I wouldn't worry about trying to find a higher performance tire. Keep in mind that in general, the higher performance the tire, the softer the compound which in turn means that it'll wear out quicker. It's a tradeoff of grip vs tire wear.