Tires and Their Differences

For those of us who drive, it may be difficult to pinpoint just what is the most important element of the car. Is it the engine that powers the vehicle, or keeping everything well lubricated with a good oil change? To someone living in Texas in the summer, it could very well be something as small as the air conditioning. An argument could be made however that the most important part of the car is the tires and the entire wheel apparatus, without which the car couldn’t move at all, not even while being towed.

For such an essential part of the vehicle, the particulars about tires﹘the science behind them, and the difference between each type﹘remain a mystery to most people. Below is a handy list of the different types of car tires and how they may benefit your vehicle. If at any time you feel like it’s time to service your tires or you’re curious about getting a new set, you have only to call and set up an appointment with our shop and we will get you squared away.

Tires and Auto Care

Our shop in Orem sees people coming in to get their tires replaced or get a brake repair nearly every day. Thanks to the different seasons that we get to experience each year, it’s not uncommon to see all types of tires on Utah’s roads.

All-Season Tires

The most common type of tire seen in Orem, the all-season tire is a great fit for people who mainly drive on paved roads and are only interested in a basic all-purpose option. These types of tires have treads that are designed to divert water during light-to-heavy rainfall and can handle mild snow coverage on the roads. For areas that don’t see heavy, frequent downpours, nor major snowstorms, this is the Goldilocks tire option for you. 

• Pros
• • A long-lasting option that offers good traction in areas that see every type of weather.
  • Comes in a Touring class variant that’s better suited for higher speeds. Providing generally better handling, even on wet surfaces, the wider treads make for a more comfortable, smoother ride. 

• Cons

• • While all-season tires fare better with wet roads on account of rain, snow is another story. Unless you are getting only a few inches of snowfall a year, the heavily impacted treads will cause your tires to slide much more frequently. A snow tire is a much safer option for places that are famous for their snow, like Utah.
  • Typically all-season tires have been known to get harder in colder weather, due to the quality of the rubber they’re made from. This might cause small air leaks if the tire contracts away from the rim, and a loss of grip on the road.

Performance Tires

Performance tires are suited for every make and model of the vehicle and are rated for higher speeds and better traction than the all-season Touring tires. These types of tires are perfect for summer driving in any of the well-known canyons near Orem, especially if you have had a recent brake repair or replacement. Performance tires are generally wider than the basic All-Season tire and are optimized for better handling on both turns and straightaways. 

• Pros
  • Depending on the type of car you’re driving and the type of driving you’re looking to do, Performance tires come in a wide variety of grades, from basic through high, ultra, and finally competition. Each of these tires differs in the width of the tire and the shallowness of the tread, in order to increase speed and handling.
  • Performance tires provide high-end results without being prohibitively priced for the regular consumer.

• Cons

• • Due to the low profile of the tires and their shallow treads, Performance tires generally don’t have the longevity of other types. Some high-performance tires have been known to need replacing after as few as 20,000 miles. Nails and sharp rocks also pose more of a problem.
  • While some Performance tires perform well on wet roads, they are optimized for summer roads without any type of adverse weather conditions to worry about.

Truck Tires

The big daddy of every-day driving, truck tire design spans the breadth of demands you can put on your truck, from long highway stretches to hardcore off-roading. So much of the auto care we provide to Orem trucks are connected to adventures in mudding and off-roading, and so we have a particular appreciation for the different types of tires these vehicles require.

• Pros
  • Depending on the business and recreational uses of your truck, there are tires to fit your needs. All-Terrain tires are adept at handling everything from mud to sand to shale, while Off-road tires are optimized for deep snow or mud﹘the kind of conditions a tire with narrower treads might get quagmired in.
  • Because so many trucks spend all day on long drives down the Interstate, highway tires are extremely long-lasting.

• Cons

• • It can be much more difficult to purchase truck tires that will fit your vehicle’s needs and size specifications, so consulting with your manufacturer shouldn’t be ignored.
  • Specialized truck tires tend to run more expensive than regular tires.

Orem’s Tire Experts

No matter what type of tire you require, our team at Master Muffler in Orem is prepared to get you outfitted and back on the road. While we are putting on your tires we will check your brakes for any repair needs, and look at your fluid levels. Need an oil change on top of everything? We can do that. Come on by today and we’ll have a new set of wheels on your car in no time.