Video: How to choose the best tires
At a glance, all tires look alike. They are black, round, and ringed with tread patterns. But there are significant differences in how they perform and how they wear. Since tires are the only part of the car that touches the road, it is crucial that you make a smart, informed decision about what tire is right for you. And we can help.
As demonstrated in this tire buying video, Consumer Reports runs a comprehensive, year-round tire testing program to ensure it can deliver the advice and ratings you need. To evaluate all aspects of a tire, we put it through a number of objective and subjective tests in the most comprehensive tire-test program of any American magazine or Web site.
We test braking and lateral grip on dry and wet surfaces, handling in our emergency-avoidance maneuver, and hydroplaning resistance, which measures how well a tire maintains contact with the road in standing water. We evaluate how easily a tire can accelerate on moderately packed snow and we rent a local skating rink to test braking on ice. Outside labs evaluate tread life and rolling resistance which is a function fuel efficiency . To ensure consistency, we buy each tire model in the same size and mount them on the same test cars.
Check out our video to see the details on how we conduct these tests. Then see our car, SUV and truck, and winter tire ratings (available to subscribers) to find the models that score well in the areas that matter most to you. All site visitors can access our free buying advice for tips on getting started, types of tires we test, features that are important in making a tire purchase, and general tire care. Also, be sure to check out our TireTalk forum to interact with our tire engineers and other drivers.
—Liza Barth
As demonstrated in this tire buying video, Consumer Reports runs a comprehensive, year-round tire testing program to ensure it can deliver the advice and ratings you need. To evaluate all aspects of a tire, we put it through a number of objective and subjective tests in the most comprehensive tire-test program of any American magazine or Web site.
We test braking and lateral grip on dry and wet surfaces, handling in our emergency-avoidance maneuver, and hydroplaning resistance, which measures how well a tire maintains contact with the road in standing water. We evaluate how easily a tire can accelerate on moderately packed snow and we rent a local skating rink to test braking on ice. Outside labs evaluate tread life and rolling resistance which is a function fuel efficiency . To ensure consistency, we buy each tire model in the same size and mount them on the same test cars.
Check out our video to see the details on how we conduct these tests. Then see our car, SUV and truck, and winter tire ratings (available to subscribers) to find the models that score well in the areas that matter most to you. All site visitors can access our free buying advice for tips on getting started, types of tires we test, features that are important in making a tire purchase, and general tire care. Also, be sure to check out our TireTalk forum to interact with our tire engineers and other drivers.
—Liza Barth
Previous
Posted by: Robert | Oct 22, 2009 11:42:40 AM
Getting the right SIZE tires is very important. Even if you get a fantastic brand, if the size is too small or too big, it kills their performance and reliability.
Posted by: everett whitney | Oct 25, 2009 8:48:56 AM
Robert . . . " Wrong Size .."
Currently, any legitimate, national distributor or dealer of a Major Brand can NOT install an improper tire!
Their Corporation doesn't allow same at all, either due to Liability Issues or their own internal insurance coverages, etc..
Whenever the Model / Type / Year of vehicle is entered into the Computer, there ARE proper "over-rides" in essentially all software programs now to prevent mis-sizing.
OF Course, there are & always will be those few unscrupulous outlets & dealers, to be sure!
everett
Posted by: tyre changers | Oct 26, 2009 9:35:23 AM
It all depends on the type of vehicle you drive,the climate and terrain of your locality and how you intend to use your vehicle. After considering these factors,your decision should be based on the tire's performance and safety,price,brand and appearance.
Posted by: Gerrard | Oct 26, 2009 11:05:44 PM
Does Consumer Reports only test "new" Winter tires? Does the performance degrade on some tires faster than others?
I have been told by my local tire dealer that certain Winter Tires only have their rubber compounds 1/3 of the depth of the tire tread, therefore the performance will be good for the first 1/3 of the tires life and not as good for the rest. (I have heard this from a few different parties that the Blizzak, and X-Ice suffer from this problem, while Nokian and Toyo don't)
Can you confirm or contradict this?
Thanks for you reviews
Posted by: Tire Man Arlington, Tx. | Nov 2, 2009 1:45:56 PM
I have been in the tire industry for 20+ years, most people just want a good deal on a tire. As the article mentioned above tires are crucial to your car's performance. I have noticed through my own driving experience that sticking to the factory recommended size is important. And to correct the statement from "Currently, any legitimate, national distributor or dealer of a Major Brand can NOT install an improper tire!" these people will sell you anything you want. Some will advise you in the right direction; and some will not care what you do. Do not just go by what these companies tell you. As with most things in life you will get what you pay for when it comes to tires. The expensive tires are expensive for a reason; it's not just because it's a name brand. The technology and research that the bigger tire companies put into their tires affects their prices... I do agree with taking your location, vehicle type, and use of the tire; are all factors to look at when buying tires. Make the right decision with tires and DO THE RESEARCH!