What car tires don't say, but you should know

Below is a quick primer on essential tire terms all car owners should be familiar with.

Tire type
Common tire types such as all-season, all-terrain, or summer refer to the type of tread pattern and rubber compounds that were the car's original equipment. (Information on the stock fitment is listed in your vehicle's owner's manual.) Some manufacturers, particularly some SUV manufacturers, specify that you should always replace tires with the same type that came on the car. All-season tires are designed to provide a balance of all-weather grip, wear, and ride comfort. All-terrain tires provide an added measure of off-road capability. Summer tires have tread patterns and rubber compounds built for superior wet and dry traction, but they aren't intended to provide any measure of winter grip. Know what type of tires your vehicle came with before you make a change, so you can make a smart replacement or upgrade.

Inflation Pressure
The most important thing you can do to preserve a tire's durability, handling, wear, and load carrying capacity is to maintain its intended inflation pressure. Many incorrectly believe that the correct inflation pressure for the tire is the maximum inflation pressure designated on a tire's sidewall. In truth, the correct inflation for a tire is designated by the vehicle manufacturer and can be found on the tire information placard (sticker) located on a vehicle's door jamb, glove box, fuel filler door, or in the owner's manual. The vehicle manufacturer designates this pressure to balance the car's handling, ride comfort, and load-carrying ability. Inflate tires to this pressure and take the time to check them once a month when tires are cold (before they've been driven more than a few miles), as tires can lose air over time and with temperature variations.

To learn more about tires, visit our tire section for complete ratings and explore other tire-related blog posts.

--Gene Petersen