Some Portland motorists love driving, love their vehicles: To them, picking out the right tire is just as important – and just as much fun – as finding the right shoes is to a runner.
Now not everyone in Portland is like that. Many CT people have found that shopping for tires is overwhelming because there are just so many choices. So let’s break it down: there are four main categories of tires, depending on the kind of driving you do.
First, there are summer tires. You would buy summer tires if you’re looking for maximum summertime performance. The rubber is a little softer to help you stick to the road in fast corners. The tread has wide blocks at the shoulder to stiffen the tire in turns. The tread design can handle rain, but really isn’t set up for snow and ice.
Next comes winter tires. You would buy winter tires if you still like performance driving when it’s cold and slippery out, so you need a tread design that’ll really bite into ice and snow. The rubber compound is formulated to stay pliable when temperatures drop below 45 degrees so you get great traction even on dry roads. On the other end of the winter tire spectrum are tires designed to handle severe ice and snow conditions.
The third category is all-season tires. Now, most new cars come with all-seasons in the Portland area. The idea is a tire that you can use all-year round in CT. Naturally, the tread design and rubber compound is a compromise that won’t give you the extreme capabilities of summer or winter tires, but if your driving and weather conditions aren’t at the extreme ends of the spectrum, all-season tires might suit you just fine.
The last category is all-terrain tires. These tires are designed for both the freeway and off-road use. If you need a tire that gets good traction in the dirt and is tough enough for rocks and ruts and stuff, but still performs well on the road, an all-terrain tire might be just what you need.
Talk with your caring Portland Automotive tire professional in Portland about how and where you drive and get his suggestions for tires that’ll work for you.
Give us a call!