Tires 101: Everything You Need to Know to Find Your Perfect Set of Tires
![Man standing in front of a Red Toyota SUV](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/90qxor39/production/a8b4cb10eb70a089634dda4dfca52e718c2d2c86-1900x1072.jpg?w=1900&h=1072&q=75&fit=max&auto=format)
Finding the perfect set of tires for your Toyota can be an extremely overwhelming experience. With a variety of sizes, brands, and tire types to choose from it’s easy to be confused and unsure of what the best choice of tire is for your Toyota. Keep reading to learn more on Tire 101, and how to choose the best tires for your needs.
Prior to making any purchases, one needs to answer a few questions.
- Do I like my current tires?
- What type of tires are best suited to my car?
- How many miles will the tires last?
- How much do I want to pay?
A great way to start the tire search process is to ask, “do I like my current tires, and how could they be better?” If there are various aspects about your tires that you didn’t love when first purchased, this is the time to address it. Was driving in rain traction an issue? Maybe you need tires better suited for rainy and wet weather conditions. If you love the current tires you have, the buying process will be quite easy.
Find the Right Tire Type
According to carandriver.com, most vehicles come with all-season tires, which are designed for all-around capabilities in all weather conditions throughout the year There are two sub-categories of all season tires: high performance all-season and grand touring all-seasons. High performance grips the road more intensely and gives a sporty feel to the drive. Grand touring all-season tires have a lower-profile appearance and balance.
Find the Right Tire Size
To make the best purchasing decision for tires, you need to know your Toyota’s tire size. You can also consider how many miles you’ll get out of the new tires. That information can be found printed on the sidewalls of the tires that are on your car currently, the sticker on the inside of your driver-side door and the owner’s manual.
What do the Numbers on my Tires Mean
Confused on how to read tire size, then follow along. The three-digit number indicates the width of the tire. The two-digit number after the slash is the aspect ratio, a ratio comparing the width of the tire to its sidewall height, and the letter after it notes the tire's construction. Next is the rim diameter, followed by the load index, which is the weight your tires can support when fully inflated. Lastly, the speed rating indicating the maximum speed your tires were designed to reach.
![Toyota Service Centers Tire Size Guide. what size tire is right for your vehicle?](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/90qxor39/production/1251c61d5a512c24ca4224483cc571cde6a34ecf-1281x721.png?w=1281&h=721&q=75&fit=max&auto=format)
Tread-Wear Information
If you’re looking to estimate how many miles you can expect from a new set of tires check out the tread-wear rating and the tire mileage warranty. The tread wear rating is a number on the tire sidewall after the word “treadwear”. The higher the number goes, the more likely it is that the tire will last longer. According to carandriver.com, there is plenty of variability within this number due to the lack of precision in testing. You can also gauge the possibility of tire life by looking at the manufacturers’ tread-life warranties. This info can be found online or in the tire manufacturers' marketing materials.
Our factory-trained technicians know your Toyota's specifications and understand all the details of Tire 101. With this information our factory-trained technicians will help you get the exact tires you need. If you’re ready to find the right tires for your Toyota, click here to select your dealer, shop for tires and book your appointment and ensure your vehicle has tires fitted just right
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