We know tires are expensive, but here at Clearfield Master Muffler, we want to make the experience less painful for you and your wallet.

Shop Small

Before we get into the specifics of tire shopping, we want to point out that shopping small, at a specialty shop, is often a better deal and experience than shopping at a big box or warehouse store. A shop that specializes in car repair and maintenance, like Master Muffler, usually has better insight on brands and performance features than someone working in retail, trying to sell a variety of products.

The Penny Test

To help you determine whether or not you actually need new tires, you can bring your vehicle to your local Clearfield car repair shop, or try the penny test. 

To see if your tire treads are overworn, put a penny between the grooves with Abraham Lincoln’s head going down first. If Lincoln’s hair and the top of his head are visible, you need new tires. 

Expiration Dates

Like food, tires have expiration dates. But, unlike food, you can’t smell them to see if they’re really past their prime or not! While the date printed on your tires is more like a suggested “sell by” date than a hard-and-fast date of expiry, you should still pay attention to it. Look on the sidewall of each of your tires to see the date, and be sure your tires are at least inspected five years after the date, and replaced after ten. The amount and type of driving you do will affect the unofficial expiration date of your tires.

Types of Tires

You need to ensure you’re purchasing the right type of tires for your vehicle, and for your climate. If you’re installing the wrong tires, it can decrease fuel economy, increase the amount of noise you experience while driving, and it can affect your car’s alignment.

All-Season Tires

In an effort to allow tires to work year-round, all-season tires feature treads that can provide traction on dry and wet roads. Unlike season-specific tires, the rubber used to make all-season isn’t intended to adapt to extreme heat or cold. As a result, sometimes your vehicle performance can suffer. When you purchase a new vehicle, it typically comes standard with all-season tires.

Summer Tires

If you live in an area with hot summer temperatures, it can be worth it to invest in a set of summer tires. The rubber they’re made from is specifically designed to allow for more flexibility, which provides more points of contact between the tires and the road. To add to summer tire flexibility, the treads aren’t as deep compared to the treads of all-season or winter tires.

Winter Tires

In an attempt to provide more traction on slushy, wet roads, winter tires have more pronounced treads than other seasonal tires. Winter tires can also be studded, so when the treads aren’t enough to gain traction on slick roads, the studs can compensate by adding extra grip. Like summer tires, winter tires are designed with more flexibility than all-season tires. This allows them to withstand cold temperatures and make better contact with the road.

Performance Preferences

If you like the way your vehicle currently handles, then you can probably just buy a new version o the tires you already have. If there’s anything you’d change about your vehicle’s performance, our knowledgeable Clearfield car repair team can help you pick the tires that can get results.

Noise Reduction

Did you know your tires can make a difference when it comes to cabin noise? Some of the quietest tires (as of 2021) include the following:

• Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus
• Continental Extreme Contact DWS06
• Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring
• Goodyear Wranglers (Radial and DuraTrac)
• Hankook Optimo H72
• Michelin Defenders (T+H and LTX)
• Michelin Energy Saver A/S
• Michelin Pilot Super Sport

No matter what brand you purchase, if you buy the wrong size or season, you can still end up with more noise than you anticipated. If you’re not sure how to read the information on your tires or in your owner’s manual, Master Muffler can help.

Maneuverability

If you’re looking for better handling on curves, for high speeds, or the ability to stop on a dime, your tires can help. Here’s a look at some of the top-rated tires compiled by CarTalk:

• Michelin – 4.9 out of 5 stars
• Continental – 4.6 out of 5 stars
• Cooper – 4.4 out of 5 stars
• Yokohama – 4.4 out of 5 stars
• Goodyear – 4.3 out of 5 stars
• Bridgestone – 4.3 out of 5 stars

Michelin regularly takes the cake for the best high-performance tires, and they’re known for making not just all-season models, but multiple different models of tires meant for winter use.

Whether you’re upgrading to an after-market set of tires or just replacing a set of worn-out ones, our Clearfield car repair crew is here to help.