New & Used: 9673 Kings Auto Mall Road, Cincinnati, OH 45249
Used: 435 E Galbraith Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45215
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(513) 741-1111
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(513) 697-5200
Vehicle Tire Shopping? Where and How to Find the Best Tires
Driving on good tires just makes good sense. Not only are good tires safer for driving, but they can also improve your fuel economy and even enhance vehicle performance. However, finding the correct tire brand, size, and type for your vehicle without spending too much money can be a challenge. That is why you should consult the experts here at McCluskey Chevrolet to find the best tires in Cincinnati.
For all your tire needs, McCluskey Chevrolet has you covered. We have the best, most diverse selection of tires in Cincinnati, including top brands like Michelin, Bridgestone, and Continental. We only stock safe, trustworthy, and long-lasting tires. When combined with the services that we offer, like regular tire rotations and pressure checks, our tires will keep you safe and in control for thousands of miles. Most importantly, we offer a Lowest Price Guarantee, so there’s absolutely no way to beat our prices on a wide selection of quality tires.
Which are the best tires for your vehicle? There are many different ways to answer that question, and things can get a bit complicated. While you can easily take your vehicle to a knowledgeable dealership like McCluskey Chevrolet, it’s also a good idea to know some good tire basics. Here’s what you need to know about tires for every vehicle type, different tire brands, and the importance of getting tires from a qualified tire shop.
At McCluskey Chevrolet, we know that different types of vehicles have different tire needs. While most tires tend to look similar when they’re on a rack, they actually vary drastically. That’s because different vehicles have distinct tire needs based on a variety of factors.
The first factor that affects appropriate tire size, shape, and type is your vehicle itself. Every vehicle body style, make, model, year, and trim has a different wheel size, which means that only a specific tire size will fit. Reliable tire professionals like our service department at McCluskey Chevrolet use several measurements to find proper tires for your vehicle, including tire height, circumference, section width, and more. The right fit ensures reliable grip, ride quality, and fuel economy.
Another factor that will determine the correct tire for your vehicle is its speed rating. All tires are coded with a speed rating that indicates how fast they can safely rotate - based on your driving speed - for a given period of time without the risk of damage. For the most part, commuter vehicles like SUVs and sedans tend to have tires with lower speed ratings than those for performance cars - like compact, two-door Camaros and Corvettes - because they have a lower maximum speed and don’t accelerate as quickly. While you can certainly shop for tires with a higher speed rating than your vehicle needs, this may be an unnecessary investment.
However, for most vehicles, there are some alternative tires to choose from. Alternates usually include special types of tires that add unique benefits to your vehicle. Some tires have increased tread and grip to improve off-roading or driving on icy roads, while others have benefits like improved highway driving, safe driving in hot conditions, and enhanced driving performance. Generally, your best bet is all-season tires, which are designed for good all-around performance in all conditions. Depending on where you live and the conditions you subject your vehicle to, it may be a good idea to consider upgrading your tires from the factory specifications.
There are thousands of different vehicle and tire combinations that are appropriate, each offering a distinct experience. Thankfully, McCluskey Chevrolet’s tire service center has such a vast inventory that we can serve your vehicle’s needs, as well as offer you tires that provide unique benefits when you drive your vehicle. However, if you’re happy with how your previous set of tires performed, we’ll gladly find you a similar replacement set.
Always be sure to replace your tires before it’s too late. Driving on tires with poor tread can increase your risk of skidding, losing control of your vehicle, or finding yourself stranded without a flat tire. Driving on old tires also affects your vehicle’s mileage, responsiveness to braking, handling, and much more. After all, your tires are your vehicle’s only direct contact with the road. Be sure that you only drive on good tires and replace them when necessary.
Do you know how to read a tire? One of the first lessons to understanding your tires and knowing what size or type of tire is best for your vehicle starts with reading the tire itself. Take a look at the sidewall of your tires to find a long code of numbers and letters, each of which has a specific meaning and will help you in your search for the best tires in Cincinnati for your vehicle.
The code on your sidewall starts with a letter like “P” or “LT.” This is a standard designation from the Tire and Rim Association that signifies the type of vehicle and tire. P stands for “passenger car,” LT stands for “light truck,” ST for “special trailer,” and T for “temporary.” The number that follows the letter is the width of the tire in millimeters. For example, “P225” tells you that the tire is for a passenger car and measures 225 millimeters wide. The larger the number, the wider the tire.
Following the tire width is a forward slash that designates the next number or the aspect ratio. The aspect ratio compares the tire’s height to its width and tells you more about the purpose of the tire. For example, a ratio that’s 55 or lower indicates the tire is designed for better handling and more responsive steering. The next part of the code is a letter - R, D, or B - that indicates the construction of the tire. R indicates the tire is “radial,” which is the most common type of tire you’ll find on the road. D (“diagonal”) or B (“bias ply”) tires are less common.
By now, your tire reads P225/65R. The number following the R is important since this tells you the size of the rim or the wheel in inches. This lets you know what size of tire will fit the rim. If you’re upgrading your wheels to a larger size, you’ll need to know the rim size to ensure your tires match the new diameter. Following this is another number and letter combination. The number signifies the load index, and the letter signifies the speed rating. Why are these important?
The load index tells you how much weight each tire can support. The higher the number, the greater the load capacity. For example, your tire might now read P225/65R15 95H. The 95 doesn’t indicate that the tire can carry 95 pounds but points to a load index known as the Load-carrying Capacity Per Tire chart, which indicates that the 95 represents a maximum weight of 1,521 pounds. It would be confusing to list “1,521” on the tire itself; think of the “95” as shorthand. Remember that this is the maximum load per tire, which means multiplying this number by four tells you the vehicle’s maximum capacity with cargo and passengers.
The last letter in the code is the speed rating and designates the speed at which the tire can safely run for extended periods. In other words, certain tires can run at higher speeds longer than others before tire failure may occur. This is especially important when you’re focused on performance. The speed designations and their max speeds are as follows: Q (100 mph), S (112 mph), T (118 mph), U (124 mph), H (130 mph), V (149 mph), Z (149+ mph), W (168 mph), Y (186 mph), and Y (186+ mph).
Here is a full tire reading example: P225/65R15 95H.
All-season tires are the most popular and most common tires you’ll find on vehicles today because of their versatility. They are designed to perform year-round in every weather condition while giving you the responsive handling needed, plenty of traction, and modest capability in snow and mud. This versatility makes them outstanding tires for those in moderate climates; however, don’t expect an all-season tire to give you the traction you need in frigid winter conditions where snowfall is heavy, and temperatures stay below freezing.
All-season tires come in two variations - high-performance or grand touring. High-performance all-season tires are designed to grip the road better and deliver sport-like handling. This typically comes at the expense of traction in winter or rainy conditions. Grand touring tires, on the other hand, are focused on ride quality rather than sport-like handling.
While all-season tires can perform in winter conditions, drivers who live in areas with heavy snowfall should consider buying a set of winter tires. Also known as “snow tires,” winter tires are designed to withstand below-freezing temperatures without sacrificing traction or handling. Their unique tire tread is deeper and designed to push the snow, ice, and wintry mix away from the tire to maximize grip on the road. This means more traction and a safer time behind the wheel as you navigate the winter wonderland on the road ahead.
While winter tires can handle frigid temperatures, summer tires perform best in warmer climates where the temperature stays above 40 degrees. This is because summer tires are made of a unique three-season rubber compound that allows them to withstand heat without sacrificing stopping power, traction, or responsiveness. When the temperature falls to freezing, the compound in summer tires doesn’t perform as well and causes loss of traction and skittish handling.
All-terrain tires are built for adventure and deliver greater capability than all-season, summer, or winter tires. This capability comes from the A/T’s aggressive tread pattern that delivers greater traction off the pavement and on the trail. However, this doesn’t mean A/Ts won’t perform on the highway; they’re simply louder, rougher, and less fuel-efficient. You’ll often find A/Ts on off-road rigs like the Jeep Wrangler and other four-wheel-drive vehicles like the Toyota Tacoma, Ford F-150, and Toyota 4Runner that like to venture off the beaten path whenever adventure calls.
Your tires are your vehicle’s only connection to the road, and that means they play a vital role in how your vehicle performs as well as your safety on the road. Learning how to read a tire’s sidewall to determine what type and size of tire you need are important, but there are also a host of other things you need to know as a driver. What should you know about your tires before you get behind the wheel?
You’re stuck on the side of the road with a flat, and you don’t have roadside assistance. If you have a spare and the right tools, you’re not really stuck. Knowing how to change your tire is one of the first things you should learn to do so that you can safely get back on the road and to your local service center for a quick tire repair.
Knowing how to check your tire pressure is a great way to prevent flat tires and unsafe driving conditions. While most newer models feature electronic tire pressure monitoring systems, it’s important to know how to check the pressure using an old-fashioned tire gauge and compare it with the recommended pressure listed on the sticker in the driver’s door jamb.
The tread on your tire is responsible for the traction or your tire’s grip on the road. Driving on bald tires is hazardous, especially since it can cause hydroplaning in rainy conditions. You can measure the tread on your tires using a penny that’s likely lying in your cup holder or the bottom of your bag. Hold the penny upside down so that President Lincoln’s head is in the tread. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, then it’s time to replace your tires. Simple as that.
There’s another major factor that can determine the best tires for your vehicle and your budget. That’s the brand of the tires that you select. Brand names do actually affect your tires’ performance, longevity, and safety. McCluskey Chevrolet stocks an extensive inventory from the world’s best tire brands, so you can select from the best-rated products at different price levels.
One of our best-selling tire brands is Michelin, which also happens to be one of the most well-known tire brands out there. In fact, many drivers choose Michelin for their new set of tires because it’s the brand name that readily comes to mind. The Michelin tire brand is one of the world’s oldest, and they’re known throughout the automotive world for their cutting-edge designs and advanced rubber compounds. Michelin uses innovative technology to produce very long-lasting tires that maintain their tread longer than many of their competitors’ do.
However, Michelin isn’t the only reputable tire brand in the business. We also carry Goodyear, another popular tire brand. Goodyear tires are so reliable that they’re often the chosen brand of vehicle manufacturers. Visit your local new car dealership, and you may find that many models are rolled out with a fresh set of Goodyears. They’re famous for their good traction and responsiveness.
Bridgestone tires, meanwhile, are among the top-rated by independent reviewers. They often have outstanding grip and traction for superior driving performance. Swap out your old tires for some fresh Bridgestones, and you may dramatically improve accelerating, braking, turning, and handling on wet roads.
Continental tires are lesser-known but still reliable, with great fuel economy ratings for those who want to get the best mileage per gallon. Due to their production techniques and materials, Continental also has some of the most environmentally friendly tires out there. Pair the right Continental tires with a hybrid or other fuel-saving vehicle for the greenest driving possible.
We carry numerous tire brands, so whatever you want for your vehicle, we can find a perfect match for you. Different performance levels, price points, and brand names mean that you can find exactly what you’re looking for without overspending. We know that tires can be a costly investment. However, we’ll help ensure that you get a great product and ongoing service that will prolong the lifespan of any new tires you buy.
So whether you need a replacement tire, a spare tire, or a full set of new tires, let McCluskey Chevrolet serve your tire needs. Our extensive inventory and knowledgeable staff guarantee that you’ll get the most appropriate tires for your vehicle. Don’t forget our Lowest Price Guarantee, which ensures that you save the most money possible while also getting the best level of talented, courteous service in the Cincinnati area.
We’re also the best resource for all things Chevrolet, including new and used vehicles, an extensive inventory of different models and body styles, and great financing that ensures you get the best possible loan offer. Other dealerships want you to get in, find a car, and get out, but at McCluskey Chevrolet, we will assist you through every step of the process, so you find the right vehicle at the right price. In addition, our Chevy automotive service department will provide ongoing services, including inspections, maintenance, warranty-covered service, repairs, parts, tire services, and diagnostics.
