If you calculate the total price for your tires and divide by the miles of service to get the cost per mile, you will see that better quality tires provide the best value. If you're comparing tires within a particular brand, use the UTQG ratings (tread wear) to calculate value. Divide the tread wear rating by the price and the highest number should be your choice. This system doesn't work comparing brands because wear scoring is not standardized. However, traction and temperature rating are standardized and useful for comparison purposes.

What Those Numbers Mean

You can check the specs on your existing tire by reading the tire size stamped on the surface. For example, if your tires are marked P205/65 R15 89H here's what it means. P stands for passenger car. LT would be for light truck. The number 205 is the width of the tire in millimeters, measured from sidewall to sidewall and 65 is the aspect ratio, or the height of the sidewall. It is a percentage of the section width. You take 65% of 205 millimeters and that give you the sidewall height.

The letter 'R' means Radial and the number 15 is the wheel diameter in inches. The number 89 is the load index, which give you the load carrying capacity. Do not install tires with a lower load index than those that came with your vehicle from the factory. The letter H is the speed rating, with a higher rating resulting in better handling. In this case, the H rating means up to 130 mph.

Tire Sizes

Most people replace their tires with the same size they had. The owner's manual or tire decal on the door or glove box will give you the size. By selecting the next lower profile you can improve the ride quality and handling. Up sizing, particularly for SUVs and trucks, improves performance and ride quality.

You need new tires when you're at 2/32" minimum tread depth. On wet roads 4/32 inch or less tread means you will have a significant loss of wet traction because your grooves are shallower. In snow, traction diminishes at 6/32 inch tread depth. Irregular wear will cause early tire replacement.

Continue to: Purchase Perfect Snow Rims and Tires for Your Vehicle

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