Pairing Perfect Tires with Your Perfect Car

A great car doesn’t always come with great tires. Auto enthusiasts who buy older cars know this very well, but even new cars may come with cheap tires. Secondhand vehicles will almost certainly need new tires. The good news is that tires cost significantly less than any car. While they’re worth a good investment, you can always find the right tires for your dream car for cheaper than the car itself. Finding the right tire goes beyond just grabbing something that will fit and slapping on the lug nuts, though. To find the perfect tires for your car, you need to consider style, safety, and seasonal conditions.

Style

Your tires are more than rubber and lug nuts. Their size, shape, and even tread patterns make a difference in your vehicle’s appearance. There’s nothing like sinking thousands of dollars into cosmetic upgrades and then realizing you have tires from the nineties. If you’re looking for the perfect rims, then you also need the perfect tires to go with them. Last, but not least, if you have a period vehicle, finding the right tires to complement the look of the appropriate era is essential.

Safety

Old and badly-matched tires aren’t just about looks. They also pose a serious safety risk. Your right tires don’t just have to look good. They also have to fit your car. The safest tires, particularly winter tires, are often wider than your car is designed to handle. With an adapter and a few extra lug nuts, however, you can build out your mounting surface. This extra space can make all the difference when it comes to mounting the tires with the widest tread on your vehicle.

Seasons

Make sure your tires can handle the local weather. Max performance summer tires are top of the line and offer the best handling and control for dry streets under sunny skies. If you get a lot of rain, though, you should think twice before buying, because even the best summer tires usually trade away their hydroplane control. All season passenger tires perform much better in the rain, and if you have mixed weather in your area, then they’re probably your best option. They only handle light snow, though, so if you have bad winters, be sure to invest in winter tires that can stand up to the elements. Because not all cars, especially old cars, are designed to accept all tire types, be sure to consider adapters before making any final decisions.

All of these concerns are important for vehicle owners, but safety and seasonal considerations should always come first. A smashed car is much worse than a car with tires that look a little too bulky. Even antique and sports vehicles need the right tires to handle long winters and heavy rains. That doesn’t mean you always have to sacrifice style, though. As technology progresses, tire makers are learning how to make slimmer, more aesthetically pleasing tires that still keep you, your passengers, and your ride safe. Until then, always remember to put style at the end of your shopping list.