Understand Your Options when It Comes to Tires

Whether you’re buying a new vehicle or need to replace the tires on the one you already own, know that there are many different classes and types of tires on the market. For example, you can find winter tires that give you a great grip on icy roads or all-season tires that handle all kinds of weather. However, tires can be broken down by the type of vehicle they’re designed to support, as well.

Passenger Tires

Passenger tires are designed for use on the average passenger vehicle. They may be used on two door runaround vehicles, standard four door family cars or station wagons. Passenger tires typically prioritize a comfortable ride. This means as little road noise as possible and a greater degree of cushioning. You can find passenger tires that are cheap with a short run time or more expensive tires that will last fifty thousand miles.

Light Truck Tires

There are tires you can recommend for use by almost anyone, and light truck tires fit that bill. You can put light truck tires on many passenger cars. It may reduce fuel economy a little, but you get tires that are less likely to be punctured when you scrape a tree branch. And it can handle the load of a full car and storage bay.

Commercial Tires

Commercial truck tires are designed to handle much heavier loads than light truck tires. They’re often bigger than light truck tires. Long-haul truck tires are designed to give you slightly better fuel economy. Urban tires are designed to help you stop quickly in traffic and turn smoothly.

ATV / UTV Tires

ATV stands for all-terrain vehicle. UTV is a utility terrain vehicle. An ATV is designed to carry a single rider and possibly some gear. A UTV is larger. It is a cross between a truck and a golf-cart. It is designed to carry one to four people and supplies. It isn’t as large or fast as a jeep, but it can go off-road like a jeep. ATVs may be for work or play. UTVs are work vehicles. Both ATVs and UTVs have very strong tread and are more durable than conventional passenger vehicle tire. ATV and UTV tires may be similar in size to truck tires or significantly smaller. They are often wider than truck tires.

Racing Tires

Racing tires are typically made for the race track, not the street. You get a minimal tread, just enough to grip the ground and get you going. A single middle stripe and light horizontal pattern are all you get. They tend to have a lighter load range, since it only carries the driver and the body of the vehicle. Comfort is irrelevant compared to performance.

SUV Tires

SUV tires are similar to light truck tires. After all, they’re made to carry the heavy load of a fully loaded SUV. That’s why formal SUV tires have an XL load range or better. However, they’re also designed with passenger comfort in mind. The tread is not just long-lived but offers a relatively quiet ride. They tend to be all-season tires, because of the sheer convenience. Side walls tend to be thicker than those of passenger tires, so you can drive the SUV off-road for short distances when necessary.