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Selecting the right tires for your vehicle is crucial for safety, performance, and comfort. With so many options on the market today, this guide will help you understand the key factors to consider when buying tires.

Understand Your Vehicle’s Requirements

Check the Owner’s Manual
Your vehicle’s owner manual provides essential information on tire specifications, including size, type, and load rating. Adhering to these recommendations ensures optimal performance and safety. You can also use our online tire catalog to search tires by vehicle make and model. This will return a list of tires available in a size that is compatible with your vehicle.

If you are interested in learning how to find this information from your current tires (and what everything means), you can look at the sidewall of the tire. Your vehicle may also have a sticker in the driver-side door jamb that provides this information.
Tire sizes are typically in a format like P215/65R15.

This example tells us the following:

• P: Passenger vehicle
• 215: Width in millimeters (of the tread area)
• 65: Aspect ratio (height of sidewall from the top of the wheel rim to the top of the tire, expressed as a percentage)
• R: Radial construction
• 15: Diameter of the wheel in inches

Make sure to match this specification or consult your manual for alternatives.

Determine Your Driving Needs

Driving Conditions
Consider where and how you primarily drive:

• Highway Driving: Look for tires with low rolling resistance for better fuel efficiency.
• Off-Road: Choose all-terrain or mud-terrain tires for rugged conditions.
• City Driving: Opt for tires that offer a balance of comfort and durability.
• Seasonal: Factor in weather conditions like rain, snow, ice, and sleet

Depending on where you are located, you might choose to have a different set of tires for winter. Other motorists might decide to use all-season tires or all-weather tires throughout the year.

Driving Frequency

How often you drive is also a factor worth considering. Some tires come with mileage guarantees. However, if you don't drive often, you might be able to use a less expensive tire with a lesser treadlife since.

Factor in Brands and Costs

Tire Brands

Do you have a favorite tire brand? If you are loyal to one tire manufacturer because you've had good experiences with their tires, then it's a good time to take a look at the current offerings in their portfolio. If you're not married to a particular brand, you can compare options and read reviews, watch video reviews, and determine which tire is the best for your application.

Price

Tire manufacturers often release rebates throughout the year that allow you to get money back, often in the form of a digital card or prepaid card, when you purchase a qualifying type and number of tires (for example, a set of four tires of a particular model). If there's a rebate or other deal going on with one brand but not another, you might consider the brand with the rebate.

Find Your Tires in Washington DC at TAB Motors

If you're shopping for tires in the DMV area, we invite you to visit TAB Motors. We have a great selection of tires from leading brands, always at competitive prices. Use the tire catalog on our website to start your search now, and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out!