Shopping for Tires? Here’s How to Choose the Right Tire for Your Vehicle

From a distance, all tires look pretty much alike—round, black, and indistinguishable from one another. But looks can be deceiving as different kinds of tires serve different kinds of driving.

In fact, the tires you select can have a dramatic effect on ride quality, steering feel, and road noise. They also perform differently depending on conditions, whether on wet and dry pavement or, in the case of SUVs and four-wheel-drive trucks, when tackling off-road terrain.

Tires are also designed for different seasons. Some are optimized for summer, others for winter. And perhaps the most popular option, all-season tires are made to handle a variety of conditions throughout the year—although they typically don’t match the grip of summer tires in hot weather or the traction of winter tires on snow and ice. Some tires are even designed to deliver low rolling resistance, which can improve fuel economy and, for electric vehicles, extend driving range.

Then there’s the issue of price. Depending on the brand and type, you may find tires for your vehicle that vary in cost by more than $200 each. That’s why it’s important to know what performance characteristics matter most to you—and what fits your budget—before you begin shopping for tires.

Trustworthy tire brands, AAA ratings—and what they mean

If this seems complicated, that’s because it can be. But AAA is here to help you sift through the information and simplify the tire shopping process with its new tire rating system. The new system rates tires in three categories: Good—Bronze, Better—Silver, and Best—Gold.

Gold standard tire brands include Vredestein and Continental. These two tire companies are based in Europe, where weather ranges from Arctic snow and ice to Riviera sun—and where there are still highways with no speed limits.

Vredestein tires designed for passenger cars and crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) are noted for delivering a smooth ride and precise steering responses. The company’s truck and SUV tires deliver all-weather grip and long tread life. It even offers a 100-day trial period on new sets of four tires and warranty coverage of up to 70,000 miles. This makes Vredestein a AAA Preferred Brand. 

Continental passenger car and CUV tires deliver excellent traction and comfort, while TractionPlus Technology (TM) is featured in Continental’s truck and SUV tires. In addition, Continental offers tires specifically designed for electric vehicles as well as a warranty for up to 80,000 miles.

Nokian Tyres, Cooper and General tires also deliver very good performance, earning them AAA’s Silver status. Nokian Tyres is another European tire company offering tires for passenger cars and CUVs that are noted for delivering excellent grip and handling. Its truck and SUV tires offer excellent traction in all conditions. Passenger car and CUV tires come with warranty protection good for up to 80,000 miles. Truck and SUV tires can have up to 65,000 of warranty coverage, and both car and truck tires come with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Nokian Tyres are another AAA Preferred Brand.

Cooper tires designed for passenger vehicles offer a quiet ride and balanced performance. This company’s truck and SUV tires are noted for on-road performance and off-road capabilities. This AAA Preferred Brand offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee and warranties of up to 70,000 miles on passenger car and CUV tires and up to 65,000 miles on truck and SUV tires.

General Tire has tires for passenger cars and CUVs that offer responsive handling on wet and dry roads, while its truck and SUV tires deliver good traction in on- and off-road driving. Warranty coverage lasts for up to 65,000 miles.

Ironman tires offer good value with warranties that cover up to 40,000 miles of driving. Their passenger vehicle tires deliver a smooth and quiet ride, while Ironman truck and SUV tires are designed for on- and off-road use.

AAA tire experts answer your questions

Even after considering the various top tire brands, the type of driving you do and your budget, you’ll undoubtedly have questions. Fortunately, AAA has tire experts who have answers. They also can help explain the details of AAA’s tire protection package, which covers free repair of punctures or, if repairs are not possible, a free comparable replacement tire for three years.

Remember, tires are where the rubber meets the road. After all, they are all that stand between you, your family, and the pavement.