You need to know what kind of tire you need. . . highway, all season, off road, performance, or all season performance? This you can decide based on your vehicle's requirements, and also your driving habits. There are some basic questions to ask yourself. Do you like your old tires? Do you do mostly highway or city driving? Does it rain a lot?

You must make sure that you buy the correct size tire for your particular vehicle. It won't matter how good a tire you buy if it's not the right size.
To determine the right size for your vehicle check your owner's manual or check the vehicle placard located somewhere in your vehicle. Usually this placard is on the door section, door post, glove box or fuel door.

It is a good idea to learn to read the sidewall of your tires. The sides of tires contain a wealth of information about the performance characteristics of a tire.

Then you need to select a tire dealer. We of course highly be recommend the Tire and Wheel Connection nearest you. Ask friends and relatives about their experiences with different dealers. Find out who's going to take care of all your needs, and who has the selection you're looking for.

You must remember there is a difference between the lowest price and the best value. You need to look for the highest quality, with competitive pricing, and warranty to back it up. If you buy the cheapest tires you get cheap tires.

Some factors to consider. . . Load-carrying capacity, traction, treadwear, temperature grades, speed rating and don't forget to consider how they look, will they look good on your vehicle. Cosmetics can be an important criteria.

Take the time to shop around. "Shop the rest then come to the best." If you follow the basics you're going to be ahead of the game, and you'll get tires that you can drive comfortably for years!

Highway Tires:
These tires are designed for wet and dry weather driving but not for use on snow or ice as they do not provide the degree of traction offered by now and all season tires.

Snow Tires:
They provide maximum traction in snowy and icy conditions. They have a tread designed for maximum grip in those conditions, and the tire is also constructed out of special materials that remain pliable in cold weather.

All Season Tires:
These provide a good balance for drivers looking for increased protection in rain or snow as well as the handling, ride and treadwear benefits offered by highway tires.

Performance Tires:
Performance tires meet the special needs of a high performance vehicle, such as grip, cornering ability, handling and the ability to withstand significantly higher temperatures. There is some trade off in treadwear, and the comfort of your ride with this type of tire.

All Season Performance:
In order to provide all season capability for enthusiasts, a new category has developed over the past decade. All season performance tires which feature performance enhancement as well as good traction on snow and ice.