Tire Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Tires
Evaluate Driving Needs, Compare Tire Types, and Find Your Vehicle’s Perfect Match.Find the Perfect Tires for Your Car, Truck, or SUV
Not sure which tires are best for your vehicle? You’re not alone.
At Telle Tire & Auto Centers, we’re proud to be your local resource for all things tires. Whether you’re navigating your daily downtown St. Louis commute or planning an off-road adventure outside of Kansas City, choosing the right tires is crucial for safety, performance, and fuel efficiency.
When you need new tires, work with a local St. Louis or Kansas City tire shop you can trust. Take it to Telle.
Step 1: Understand What Kind of Driver You Are
Tires aren’t one-size-fits-all. The best tires for your vehicle depend largely on your driving habits, vehicle type, and performance needs. Below are our regions’ most common driver types and what each should look for when choosing new tires.
Daily Commuter
Commuters regularly drive on paved roads, whether to work, school or errands, requiring long-lasting, fuel-efficient tires with a smooth, quiet ride. Look for tires that offer dependable performance and strong warranties for everyday reliability.
Top features include:
- All-season tread for year-round traction
- Low rolling resistance for improved fuel economy
- Quiet, comfortable ride quality.
Adventurer or Off-Roader
Do you enjoy exploring trails, gravel roads, or backcountry paths in your truck, Jeep, or SUV? Off-roaders need tires designed to handle uneven terrain, mud, and rocky paths without sacrificing control.
Top features include:
- Aggressive tread patterns for maximum traction
- Reinforced sidewalls for durability
- Self-cleaning lugs to shed mud and debris
Seasonal Drivers
Some drivers prefer to swap tires to accommodate the extreme midwestern weather patterns each season, but this is only effective when choosing tires with season-specific traction. Seasonal tire replacement ensures peak performance year-round, from winter tires that grip icy roads to summer tires made for warm, dry pavement.
Seasonal ServicesStep 2: Choose the Right Tire Type
Understanding the types of car tires available helps narrow down your selection. Here are the most common tire categories and who they’re best for:
All-Season Tires
The most common and versatile tire type.
- Designed for year-round use in most weather conditions
- Balanced performance in wet, dry, and light snow scenarios
- Ideal for commuters and family vehicles
All-Terrain or Off-Road Tires
Built for tough roads and off-the-beaten-path adventures.
- Deep tread design for rugged terrain
- Excellent traction on gravel, mud, and sand
- Great for trucks, SUVs, and Jeeps
Summer Tires
Optimized for dry and wet road performance in warmer climates.
- Superior handling and cornering
- Enhanced grip in warm, dry or rainy conditions
- Not suitable for winter weather
Winter Tires
Essential for cold, icy, or snowy environments
- Special rubber compound stays flexible in low temps
- Unique tread patterns grip slick surfaces
- Recommended for use when temps drop below 45°F
Not Sure Which Tire Type is Best for You?
Ask a Telle Tire Expert for a Personalized Recommendation
With so many tire options available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Let our team take the guesswork out of the process with expert advice tailored to your vehicle and driving style.
Step 3: Check Your Tire Size
Before buying new tires, you’ll need to know your vehicle’s correct tire size. This ensures the tires fit properly and perform as intended. There are a few ways you can go about finding your vehicle’s recommended tire size:
- Check your owner’s manual
- Look on the applied sticker located within the driver’s side door jamb
- Read the sidewall of your current tires
When reading off the tire, the size will look something like: P215/65R15. Each part of that number indicates something about the tire’s width, aspect ratio, and wheel diameter–all critical measurements for determining the correct tires.
How to Read Tire NumbersStep 4: Shop the Best Tire Brands at Telle Tire
Developing pioneering technologies and services for sustainable, connected mobility since 1871. Continental sets the standard in the tire industry.
Fueled by innovation. Michelin tires offer exceptional, consistent stopping power that eliminates weather worries, even when worn.
Demand more from your tires. For over a century, General Tire has made great all-around tires, delivering performance, durability, style and value.
Focused on making tires people love. Toyo’s unique design and manufacturing technologies deliver high-quality, long-lasting tires for nearly every vehicle on the road.
Over 60 years of history in innovation. Kumho is dedicated to providing an exceptional driving experience to every customer.
Get Expert Help Choosing Your Next Tires
Make sure you’re choosing the right tires for your car, truck, or SUV. With over 28 locations across Missouri (and growing!), our team is ready to guide you through every step of the tire selection and purchasing process. When you want a tire shop that ensures you drive away with confidence, take it to Telle.
