What To Look For When: Buying Tires For A Car

Rubber degrades over time, even if the tire has never been driven. Locate the DOT code on the sidewall. The last four digits represent the of manufacture.

The two-digit number (e.g., 45 ) is the height of the sidewall as a percentage of the width. Construction: Usually R for Radial. Wheel Diameter: The size of the rim in inches (e.g., 18 ). what to look for when buying tires for a car

Before shopping, look at the "placard" inside your driver-side door jamb or your current tire's sidewall. P (Passenger) or LT (Light Truck). Rubber degrades over time, even if the tire

They wear out quickly and become dangerously brittle/slick in winter. Winter (Snow) Tires: Identified by the "Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake" symbol. Special rubber stays soft in freezing temperatures. Deep treads bite into ice and slush. Weakness: They wear out very fast on warm, dry pavement. All-Weather Tires: A hybrid between All-Season and Winter. Safe for year-round use but rated for severe snow. The two-digit number (e