Choosing the Right New Tires at Your Ford Dealership

Selecting the right tires for your vehicle is crucial to ensure proper handling while optimizing your vehicle’s fuel economy. With the numerous tire brands, types, and sizes available on the market, it can be a challenging task. The following guide will help you choose the right set of new tires from your Ford dealer, ensuring optimal performance and safety.

Tire Information and Size
When selecting new tires, finding the correct tire size is vital. Tire sizes consist of letters and numbers, each with a specific meaning. To find the right tire size, check your owner’s manual, look for the tire label inside your driver’s door, or ask the tire specialists at your Ford dealer. Another option is to check the sidewall of your current tires, which contains a wealth of information.

Use
The first letter on the tire is usually “P” for “P-metric,” meaning the tire is intended for passenger vehicles like cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, and minivans. “LT” indicates that the tire is for light trucks hauling heavy loads or towing trailers. “T” indicates a temporary spare tire, while “ST” is used only on trailer axles.

Width
The tire width, measured in millimeters, refers to the distance between the sidewalls.

Aspect Ratio
The aspect ratio, the number after the slash, is the percentage obtained by dividing the height of the sidewall by its width. Tires with lower aspect ratios provide better handling performance than those with higher aspect ratios.

Construction
The letter “R” signifies the tire’s internal structure and stability. The radial construction of a tire implies that its inner ply cords are arranged in a radial direction.

Rim Diameter
This number is the wheel’s diameter.

Load Index
The tire’s load index number, not always displayed on all tires as it is not mandatory by law, indicates the weight the tire can support when properly inflated. The load index number alone does not provide the precise weight capacity but corresponds to a specific number in an index.
The load index is from 1 to 150, with each number representing a load capacity of 99 to 7385 lbs. Refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended load index measurement.

Speed Rating
The speed rating represents the tire’s maximum speed capability. While adhering to legal speed limits is always important, tires with higher speed ratings offer enhanced handling performance. The speed rating may not be on the tires, as it’s not required by law. Your owner’s manual will have the information.

Symbols
Certain tires come with distinctive advantages that are displayed through symbols. Winter tires show the symbols M and S (M+S) for mud and snow conditions and the three-peak mountain snowflake for harsher winter conditions. These symbols indicate that the tire meets the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s winter tire standards.

Performance and Safety
Once you know the correct tire size, consider the roads you use, your driving style, and the weather conditions, which all significantly impact the performance of your tires and, as a result, your safety on the road. The tire specialists at your Ford dealer will also assist you with information to help you select the right new tires for your driving conditions.

Road Conditions
The conditions of the roads you use play a big part in the type of tires your vehicle will need. For city driving, choose tires that offer a shorter braking distance, good handling on wet and dry roads, have low rolling resistance to increase fuel efficiency, and withstand stop-and-go traffic with longer tire life. Consider less noisy tires and excellent handling if you frequently drive on highways.

Driving Style
Choosing the right tires that match your driving style is essential for an enjoyable driving experience. Find tires with less vibration and noise if you enjoy leisurely road trips. On the other hand, if you want to feel every curve, you need precision control and handling.

Weather Conditions
The tires on your vehicle must be suitable to handle the weather conditions. If the weather is mild, all-season tires should suffice. However, if you want to navigate roads in freezing temperatures, have winter tires for the snow and ice and summer tires for the warmer months.

Types of Tires
With the wide variety of tire types available at your Ford dealer, you can easily find new tires that suit your model, driving style, and road and weather conditions.

Summer Tires
Summer tires have a specific rubber compound that provides outstanding grip and handling on dry and wet roads. They improve steering response, optimize cornering traction, and reduce stopping distance. However, summer tires are not suitable for winter conditions.

Winter Tires
Winter tires, constructed with rubber that remains flexible in cold temperatures, are the way to go if you brave the cold and venture out onto the snow and ice. These tires have deep treads for excellent grip on snowy or icy surfaces. Remember to change your winter tires to summer or all-season tires once the weather starts warming up.

All-Season Tires
All-season tires provide a comfortable ride, excellent handling, and satisfactory all-around performance on dry and wet roads. While they offer impressive fuel efficiency and handling throughout the seasons, they are unsuitable for sub-zero temperatures.

Touring Tires
Touring tires offer a smooth, comfortable ride, reliable traction, and responsive handling throughout the year. Additionally, touring tires tend to have higher speed ratings than all-season tires.

Performance tires
With higher speed ratings, performance tires provide precise and controlled handling and increased grip and performance. These tires have lower treadwear ratings than others, which may result in a shorter lifespan.

All-Terrain Tires
Lightweight all-terrain tires can tackle on and off-road adventures in your SUV. They have tough sidewalls and provide durable, all-terrain traction, giving you all the grip you need on all terrain.

Mud Tires
If you frequently venture into deep mud and sand, mud tires with aggressive tread patterns give maximum traction. However, be aware that they are less comfortable and generate more noise due to their unique tread design.

Select the right tires for your vehicle by following these steps and exploring your options to make an informed decision. Visit Chris Auffenberg Ford in Washington, MO, today, and our tire specialists will assist you in finding the right tires for your vehicle from 16 quality name brands.