A Helpful Q&A Guide to Buying Tires

Swapping out your tires for bigger or smaller ones than the ones that came with your vehicle is a great way to change your ride’s look, but keep in mind it may affect performance.

When you change to a taller tire:

• Your speedometer may read slower than your actual speed. This is because your tire is spinning fewer revolutions per mile (RPM).
• You may notice a difference in the way your vehicle handles.

Changing to a smaller tire size may:

• Alter your vehicle handling.
• Decrease your overall clearance.

Use the Les Schwab tire size calculator to see how different tire sizes affect your RPMs and tire speed.

The best place to start your search is the sidewall on one of your existing tires or refer to the driver’s side door placard if your tires are not the same size as those that came with the vehicle from the factory. The numbers and letters on that sidewall represent everything from the tire type and width to the aspect ratio, construction type, diameter, load index, and speed rating. The pros at your local Les Schwab are here to help you decipher all of that info into the perfect set of four tires.

Yes, in some cases, it may be possible to install wider tires on your vehicle. However, those wider tires may require alterations to your vehicle’s suspension. You might also need new wheels. When done right, the new tires should not rub against the inside of the wheel well or steering components when turning. While those wider tires may improve traction and handling, they can also reduce your overall fuel capacity or range.

The speed rating indicates the top speed a tire is safe to travel for a sustained period. The higher the speed rating, the better it can dissipate heat and may provide more control at faster speeds. When buying tires and reviewing the speed rating, remember that the maximum operating speed of a vehicle should never exceed the lowest speed rating of ALL tires mounted to a vehicle. Learn more about speed ratings and why they matter.

Performance tires are designed for better cornering and handling at higher speeds. While they are great for EVs and other performance vehicles, they might not be the right choice for some passenger cars, light trucks, or CUVs. The experts at Les Schwab can help you find the best performance tires for your needs and budget.

A tire's load rating indicates the maximum weight capacity that it can safely carry when properly inflated. The ply rating, which was once an indicator of the number of plies found in a tire, is a measure of the tire’s overall strength and ability to carry weight. Get more details here.

Yes. Trucks and some SUVs require tires with higher load ratings. This can be due to the weight of the vehicle, the overall passenger capacity, hauling limitations, and towing capacity. Not sure what you need for your adventure or work rig? Stop by Les Schwab for expert advice and tire know-how.

Definitely. Tire pricing is typically based on what the tire delivers for comfort, ride quality, noise level, tread durability, and traction features.

For instance, light truck mud tires may have a higher price point because they have more rubber on them, which increases the cost to produce them. Prices also reflect the value you can expect from your tire, such as how long your tread may last and the overall durability of its construction.

How long a tire can last varies depending on the quality of your tires and your daily driving habits (including braking, tailgating, etc.).

For a quick comparison, we’ve compiled some of the basic features of some of the more common tire types. Choosing the right tires starts with the Les Schwab Tire Quiz. Or you can simply stop by any Les Schwab location for expert advice and service.

Yes. Winter tires are made with a special rubber compound that stays softer and more pliable in cold weather for better road grip. Bottom line, they aren’t designed to handle the heat. If you use winter tires in hot weather, they are going to wear out sooner.

In contrast, all-season tires are made with a different rubber compound suitable for hot pavement and cold weather.

It is always a good idea to review your owner’s manual for recommendations. It’s best to replace tires in pairs or sets of four, as even small differences in size or type can have big consequences, especially if you own an all-wheel drive (AWD).

Replacing one tire with a different brand, model, size or tread depth can cause a noticeable pull in the steering wheel or other handling issues. There are tight tolerances for AWDs, so they’re at greater risk for such problems. A big difference in tread depth between tires can damage expensive parts.

There are plenty of well-made tires. The biggest difference often comes down to the warranty. Most of what you get in a tire warranty is provided by the dealer, not the tire maker. If there’s a defect in the tire you buy, that’s covered by the manufacturer. However, many other warranty features are covered by the dealer who sold and installed your tires.

Tire service warranties vary greatly by dealer and can be worth hundreds of dollars over the life of a tire. A well-built tire is only as good as the warranty that backs it, so consider everything it covers. Here’s a list of what to look for:

• Length of coverage - The best warranties extend for the full life of the tire’s tread mileage guarantee, not a set number of years.
• Workmanship - Both the tire and the quality of installation/repairs should be covered.
• Free care - Flat repairs, regular inspections for wear, tire rotations, and rebalancing should be free.
• Road hazard coverage - If you hit debris or a pothole and the tire is damaged beyond repair, is the value of the tire covered?
• Convenience - How many locations honor the warranty?

Be careful buying extended tire coverage, like tire certificates, which replace your tires for free if you ruin them. It’s very rare to damage multiple tires beyond repair over the life of the tires. Usually, tire damage can be repaired, and often it’s a single tire that’s involved. By the time you add up the cost of covering your tires with certificates, you could pay for any tire that gets damaged.

There are other drawbacks as well. Tire replacement certificates often expire after three years, and some aren’t honored if the damage comes from running your tires at the improper inflation level.

The Les Schwab Tire Warranty is America’s Best Tire Warranty. Ours includes no-hassle road hazard protection with 100% road hazard damage replacement with no expiration, a 60-day satisfaction guarantee to exchange your tires if you’re not completely satisfied (and no more than 2/32" of the tread is worn), and free tire maintenance, including flat repairs, rotations, rebalancing, and air checks. Terms and conditions apply. See the Les Schwab Tire Warranty for details.

It might save you some money if you’re a tire expert and already have a mechanic who will install your tires. If you’re not an expert or don’t have a mechanic, you run the risk of getting the wrong type of tires for your vehicle and driving habits.

Another issue is finding a tire dealer willing to service your tires by mounting and balancing them on your wheels at a reasonable cost. Here are some cost and warranty factors to consider when you’re thinking of buying online.