How to Shop for New Tires in Nashville, TN

Your vehicle requires good tires to run efficiently. Knowing how to choose the right car tires for the driving conditions in Nashville will help you get the most out of your vehicle. If you get the wrong type of tire, you could limit the performance of your vehicle. You may also decrease its ability to perform in changing weather conditions.

How Often Should I Change My Tires?

Tires should be changed about every 3-4 years on the average vehicle. Depending upon on how you drive, how often you drive, and if you maintain adequate air pressure within the tire, you may reduce their lifespan by up to 50% or more. That is why purchasing the correct tires for your vehicle must be a top priority. There are 3 types of tires available in the general market:

• All-season tires.
• Summer tires.
• Winter tires.

Most drivers choose all-season tires because they are affordable and fairly easy to maintain. They deliver a performance that is stable and predictable.

How to Read a Tire Label

Purchasing the correct size of tire will help your vehicle perform properly too. That means you’ll need to know how to properly read the sidewall of your tire to understand what your vehicle requires. The first number on the sidewall is the cross-section width. It is a measurement in millimeters. That means a tire with a 205 has a cross-section width of 205mm. Then next number is the ratio of the sidewall height, so a 60 here indicates the sidewall is 60% of the width. The final number is the wheel rim diameter. You’ll often see 14, 15, or 16 here. Most number series come with an R before the first number. This indicates that the tire is of a radial-ply construction. With that information, you can then understand what the number R205/60/16 actually means when purchasing new tires.

Price is often dependent upon the size of the tire and its treadwear grade. Tires that last longer will usually cost more. Think about your driving habits. Then think about the size of tire you need for your vehicle. Put the two thoughts together and you’ll be able to shop for the best new tires for your vehicle as you drive through Nashville.