So you drive a heavy-duty truck, van, or SUV huh? You’re probably the type of person that is going to need a tire to work as hard as you no matter where you take it. Whether you’re headed to the job site, hauling a trailer full of horses, have a bed full of gravel, or a car load of your family you’re going to need a tire that will be able to easily handle these tasks no matter what season you are in.
In the list below we are going to cover the “Best All-Season Tires in 2022” for light trucks, SUVs, and dually trucks according to an experienced Tire Technician and Mechanic. How I will reach these conclusions will be based on my own experiences with the tires, what the promises the companies make about their products, and the countless in-person customer reviews that I have collected over years of working in the shop. I will also factor in cost of course and what I think would be the best bang for your buck. This post, however, will exclude passenger car tires but if that is what you are looking for then you will be able the find that list here 17 Best All Season Tires in 2022!
Before I begin there may be some terminology, acronyms, and symbols like (DOT, load rating, speed rating, etc.) that might seem confusing but I will do my best to provide clear information and tell you which terms and information you want to look for when picking the right tire for you and your vehicle. Below, in the “Buying Guide” section, I have provided a short explanation of some of the key points of information about tires that you will need to know to go ahead and choose the right tire for you.
***Lastly and also VERY important, although these tires are numbered from 1-13 it does NOT mean that the tire in the #1 spot is better than the last tire on the list. This is because when selecting a tire there are too many variables that come into play when finding the right tire for you (i.e. your vehicle type, what type of driver you are, and what type of climate you drive in). So what I have done is list what each tire does better than the others on the list while also providing information on what tires work best for some vehicles. So all in all these are the 13 best all-season tires of which I am confident you will find the right tire for you and your vehicle on the list below!***
Here are the 13 Best All Season Tires for Trucks SUVs and Dually’s
1. Goodyear Wrangler SR-A
Key Specifications:
- Comes with 11/32″ of tread depth
- 50,000 mile warranty
- Treadwear Rating 500
- Traction Grade A
- Around $150 a tire
- Available in White or Black lettering
If you’re looking for some of the highest quality tires on the market Goodyear is always a safe bet. They have been in the tire manufacturing business for over 120 years and counting. Quality goes without question with their tires and that applies to this product as well.
Starting off the list we have the Goodyear Wrangler SR-A which is Goodyear’s bread and butter tire for the light trucks and SUV market. This all-season highway tire was designed with comfort and reliability in mind with a noticeably large four groove tread design whose purpose is to avert water and slush out from under the tire as fast as possible which significantly reduces the possibility of hydroplaning or other loss of control. Goodyear also incorporated micro “zig-zag” sipes into the tread pattern for enhanced traction no matter what weather you find yourself in. Goodyear has also thrown a confident six-year 50,000 mile warranty on the Wrangler SR-A to boot. The Goodyear Wrangler SR-A is so popular in fact that truck and SUV manufacturers such as Ford and Chevrolet use it as the stock tire that goes on their newly built vehicles!
My Review: The Goodyear Wrangler SR-A is definitely one of the heavy hitters in the light truck and SUV category when it comes to all-season tires. Our facility uses this particular tire as one of our go to’s when a customer is looking for an all-season tire for a truck or SUV and there is good reason for it with affordability and accessibility being major factors. This tire retails for around $150 which is usually a sharp undercut from their competitors while still offering a reliable tire and also being available in nearly every rim size out there. Additionally, depending on the distributor that you are purchasing from, Goodyear normally keeps some sort of incentive running all year round like a possible $80 off your overall price when you purchase 4 tires. I have personally heard customers explain that for an LT rated tire they are a quiet and comfortable ride on the highway yet rugged enough to handle bad weather with confidence.
2. Goodyear Fortitude HT
Key Specifications:
- Comes with 11/32″ of tread depth
- 65,000 Mile Warranty
- Treadwear Rating 680
- Traction Grade A
- Around $170 a tire
- Available in White or Black lettering
Next, we have the Goodyear Fortitude HT and this tire can be viewed as the big brother to the Goodyear Wrangler SR-A because of how similar they are in many ways. The same large four groove tread design has also been incorporated in this tire for fast water and slush evacuation from under the tire and similar sipe patterning for added traction in any weather condition. The differences will start to appear upon further inspection. For example, even though this tire sports similar sipe patterns to the Wrangler SR-A, the Fortitude HT’s sipe patterns go much deeper for added traction in situations where you might find yourself off-road or going up a steep snow-covered driveway. Another difference can be seen in a higher treadwear rating for the Goodyear Fortitude HT, this difference adds more longevity to the life of the tire with a 65,000 mile warranty while also making it slightly more durable and able to handle a bit more rough terrain.
My Review: When it comes to Goodyear’s light truck and SUV all-season tires I have always been more partial to the Goodyear Fortitude HT especially if you are looking for a quality tire for the money. Goodyear basically took the very successful Goodyear Wrangler SR-A and upgraded nearly every performance category which resulted in this tire with deeper sipes, slightly more rugged tread design, higher treadwear rating, and a higher mileage warranty. I always recommend this tire first when a customer is looking for a safe and long-lasting tire that can also handle mild off-road encounters while camping or driving to a ski resort with a car load of the family. This tire retails for around $170 a tire and with that, you are getting a very confident and rugged all-season tire.
3. Goodyear Fortera HL
Key Specifications:
- Comes with 10/32″ of tread depth
- 60,000 Mile Warranty
- Treadwear Rating 540
- Traction Grade A
- Around $185 a tire
- Available in Black lettering only
Moving onto the Goodyear Fortera HL we find a slightly rugged touring all-season tire option designed for a quiet ride. This tire is popular with crossover SUVs and light trucks for drivers that are looking for a smooth quiet commute while still being able to handle bad weather or road conditions. This tire is frequently used as a stock tire found on brand new crossover SUVs such as the Honda Pilot among others which shows how confident of an all-season tire they are. Goodyear incorporated a very distinct circumferential tread pattern in this tire which aids heavily in stability when cornering and stopping while also providing a noticeably quieter ride even when on the highway. A deep tread pattern also adds more longevity to the tire in the form of miles driven and is backed by a 60,000 mile warranty.
My Review: The Goodyear Fortera HL is very popular with customers that drive the more luxurious types of crossover SUVs and larger SUVs such as the Cadillac Escalade and Chevy Tahoe for example. This is because this touring all-season tire is known for its smooth and confident handling while also keeping cabin noise to the bare minimum. Fitting nicely into its own niche these factors alone set it apart from most of the tires on this list and with a retail price of around $185 a tire you are getting a quality all-season touring tire.
4. Michelin Defender LTX M/S
Key Specifications:
- Comes with 12/32″ of tread depth
- 70,000 Mile Warranty
- Treadwear Rating 800
- Traction Grade A
- Around $205 a tire
- Available in Black lettering only
The name Michelin without a doubt is one of the most recognizable names when it comes to tire manufactures the world over. They are synonymous with quality tires from the start of the company to 130 years at the present. They nearly dominate tire marketing in the US with billboards, television commercials, and internet ads which makes it hard to not instantly recognize the name when seen. That isn’t a bad thing because when you purchase Michelin tires you always get an exceedingly well-engineered product.
This leads us to the Michelin Defender LTX M/S, a light truck, and SUV all-season tire designed for the everyday driver. Sporting a 70,000 mile warranty this tire is one of the kings in its’ class with a loyal fan base and growing notoriety. Furthermore, Michelin added their patented “Evertread” compound technology to the Defender LTX M/S which is stated to last 10% longer in severe conditions over similar tires. Michelin also designed the Defender LTX M/S with two other major things in mind, fuel efficiency, and road noise. The Defender LTX M/S is said to save you up to 65 gallons of fuel over the entire life of the tire and reduce cabin road noise by a noticeable amount with its’ special tread pattern.
My Review: The Michelin Defender LTX M/S is in the top 3 best selling all-season light truck and SUV tires at our facility. I’ve grown to notice that Michelin has one of the largest light truck and SUV fan bases out of any other company and that is a major reason this tire does so well. Being located in the northwestern part of the US our roads here do a number on tires and their warranties in general but the Michelin Defend LTX M/S is one of those that always seems to last longer than its competitors. That is why I will always recommend this tire for a customer that does a lot of over the road traveling. For around $205 a tire you are getting a well tested all-season tire that I can promise will last longer than almost any other tire in this market.
5. Michelin LTX M/S2
Key Specifications:
- Comes with 10.5/32″ of tread depth
- 70,000 Mile Warranty
- Treadwear Rating 720
- Traction Grade A
- Around $240 a tire
- Available in Black lettering only
The Michelin LTX M/S2 not only has a similar name the Michelin Defender LTX M/S but it also has very similar properties overall. With similar tread pattern, tread depth, mileage warranty, and nearly identical profiles it’s hard to see the difference in these tires, but there is one major difference upon closer inspection and that is winter weather performance. The Michelin LTX M/S2 is everything the Defender LTX M/S is but with more focus on winter weather traction without sacrificing the fantastic 70,000 mile warranty this tire has.
My Review: If I am being honest I wasn’t quite sure of the differences between the Michelin Defender LTX M/S and the Michelin LTX M/S2 until I did my research for this review. Upon doing the research, however, I learned that the winter capabilities of the LTX M/S2 far exceed its cousin, the Defender LTX M/S. For around $240 a tire you are getting a very well tested all-season tire that won’t leave you stranded even if you find yourself in a blizzard.
6. Michelin LTX A/T2
Key Specifications:
- Comes with 13/32″ of tread depth
- 60,000 Mile Warranty
- Treadwear Rating 500
- Traction Grade A
- Around $255 a tire
- Available in Black lettering only
Moving on we have the Michelin LTX A/T2 which can be classified as a more rugged version of the Defender and other all-season LTX series tires. The LTX A/T2 is an all-season tire with a focus on rough terrains like rough roads and gravel. Michelin promises a 35% longer-lasting tread when riding on gravel and other rough terrains over the leading two competitors. Michelin also made sure when designing the LTX A/T2 that with better traction on rough terrain you wouldn’t notice an increase in cabin noise when up to speed on the highway. Additionally, Michelin includes a 60,000 mile warranty with the LTX A/T2.
My Review: The Michelin LTX A/T2 is and has always been my favorite light truck and SUV options from Michelin and that is because this tire offers so much in one package. You get a nice mileage warranty and greatly improved rough road and off-road handling over almost any all-season tire in this market and for those reasons this tire is very popular especially in the northwest region of the United States. For around $255 a tire my customers and I can promise you that you are getting an excellent quality all-season tire that isn’t afraid to tackle a snow-covered gravel road or steer you through a muddy situation.
7. Michelin Agilis CrossClimate
Key Specifications:
- Comes with 12.5/32″ of tread depth
- No Mileage Warranty
- Load Range E
- Around $255 a tire
- Available in Black lettering only
Next up is the Michelin Agilis CrossClimate which is a very durable all-season tired designed for heavy load-bearing vehicles such as commercial delivery vans and light trucks carrying or pulling a significant amount of weight. Several factors make this a durable tire, like Michelin’s “CurbGard” technology for example, designed to protect the sidewall of the tire from curb scrubbing that can lead to possible sidewall failure. Additionally, the large block tread pattern of this tire is designed to provide long-lasting tread life under heavy loads with Michelin claiming that this tire will last 10%-19% longer than its competitors! The Michelin Agilis CrossClimate also offers better wet and wintery road handling as well as shorter stopping distance under stress than leading competitors.
My Review: In my experience, the Michelin Agilis CrossClmate tire has been the go-to all-season tire for individuals that routinely carry heavy loads. This roughly $255 tire is popular with dually and light truck owners that haul significant amounts of weight daily and even commercial vans run by FedEx and UPS.
8. BFGoodrich Advantage T/A Sport LT
Key Specifications:
- Comes with 11.5/32″ of tread depth
- 65,000 Mile Warranty
- Treadwear Rating 740
- Traction Grade B
- Around $185 a tire
- Available in Black lettering only
BFGoodrich is no stranger to the spotlight when it comes to the top-ranked tire manufacturers around. They have been in business for 150 years and counting, and with that kind of experience you can expect nothing less than perfection with the tires this company produces.
The BFGoodrich Advantage T/A Sport LT is a well tested all-season tire designed for crossover SUVs, SUVs, and light trucks to give them better handling in daily use no matter what weather you find yourself in and are confidently rated with the industry’s “severe snow” requirements dawning the three-peak symbol. The symmetrical tread pattern combined with wide deep grooves provides excellent traction off the beaten path as well. The BFGoodrich Advantage T/A Sport LT also incorporates BFGoodrich’s continuous center rib designed to deliver premium handling and stability when at high speeds. With a deep 11.5/32 of tread, BFGoodrich also provides a fantastic 65,000 mile warranty to boot.
My Review: If you read my other post, “17 Best All Season Tires in 2022“, then you might recognize this popular tire. That is because BFGoodrich offers this tire for smaller passenger sedans and similarly sized vehicles, and I bring this up because that tire, the BFGoodrich Advantage T/A Sport, is the highest-selling tire at our location. In fact, this was so true that BFGoodrich was begged by happy customers of the original Advantage T/A Sport to make the same tire but for light trucks and SUVs and they delivered!
I honestly have nothing bad to say about this excellently designed tire. You get paramount all-season performances, a fantastic mileage warranty, and excellent handling all in one and for only around $185 a tire, I believe it’s a steal!
9. Pirelli Scorpion STR
Key Specifications:
- Comes with 12/32″ of tread depth
- 65,000 Mile Warranty
- Treadwear Rating 520
- Traction Grade A
- Around $180 a tire
- Available in Black lettering only
Here we have another exceptionally talented tire manufacturer that we have not forgotten about. Pirelli has been around for nearly 150 years and just like its competitors they should not be mistaken for lesser when it comes to experience in making quality tires.
The Pirelli Scorpion STR is Pirelli’s flagship all-season tire for light trucks and SUVs. It features two prominent symmetrical tread configurations, a continuous center rib designed for a smooth and comfortable ride, and a narrow but deep interlocking mid tread pattern to maximize wet road handling. The Pirelli Scorpion STR includes a premium 65,000 mile warranty as well. It should also be noted that there are slight differences in the tread pattern for the Scorpion STR depending on whether you are buying in North America or Europe.
My Review: I have always been a fan of companies that might be viewed as the “underdog” because they are always willing to go out of their way to show the more notable companies that they are here to stay. That being said the Pirelli Scorpion STR beautifully fits into that description by providing excellent highway maneuverability and a smooth quiet ride while keeping the cost around $180 a tire. The Scorpion STR is kind of the little brother of the Scorpion ATR but with more of a focus on highway use and high-speed performances.
10. Pirelli Scorpion ATR
Key Specifications:
- Comes with 13/32″ of tread depth
- 50,000 Mile Warranty
- Treadwear Rating 520
- Traction Grade A
- Around $200 a tire
- Available in White or Black lettering
The Pirelli Scorpion ATR is an all-season and light all-terrain tire designed for light trucks, SUVs, and crossover SUVs. This perfect combination of highway and off-road performance means that this tire is your do-it-all for any situation whether your commuting to work or heading to a deer stand in the middle of the woods. The symmetrical tread pattern sports large stable shoulders for improved steering response and handling and a repeating center rib designed to reduce cabin noise when on the highway. Additionally, the tread blocks have large gaps to provide an excellent bite onto whatever rough terrain you might navigate. A deep tread design also guarantees you every bit of the 50,000 mile warranty provided with the Pirelli Scorpion ATR.
My Review: This is definitely the most aggressive tire on the list but I felt it necessary to add because I believe this tire is the perfect example of a great all-season highway tire and a notably efficient all-terrain tire wrapped into one. This tire is perfect for a customer that sees equal parts highway and off-road navigation and for around $200 a tire you are basically getting two tires for the price of one!
11. Pirelli Verde All Season Plus II
Key Specifications:
- Comes with 11/32″ of tread depth
- 65,000 Mile Warranty
- Treadwear Rating 740
- Traction Grade A
- Around $220 a tire
- Available in Black lettering only
Pirelli designed the Pirelli Verde All Season Plus II with two very important things in mind, composure and great fuel economy. This all-season crossover/ SUV tire is a perfect fit for customers with modern high-end sport utility vehicles looking for an eco-friendly tire with a smooth ride. The asymmetrical tread pattern allows this tire leading wet road performance over its competitors along with excellent handling when at high speeds. The Pirelli Verde All Season Plus II also boasts a very promising 65,000 mile warranty as well as one of the industry’s lowest rolling resistances in its class which makes for fewer visits to the gas pump.
My Review: In my opinion, Pirelli delivered an extremely refined and polished all-season tire with the Pirelli Verde All Season Plus II. I have personally heard customers rave about how quiet these tires are compared to past experiences they have had with other brands. I was also informed about how well these perform in wet or rainy conditions. The Pirelli Verde All Season Plus II will always be a top pick when I run into customers that own performance or luxury crossover SUVs and larger luxury SUVs because of how well Pirelli incorporated comfort into the ride of these tires and for around $220 a tire I know they won’t be disappointed in the performance of these tires.
12. Hankook DynaPro HT RH12
Key Specifications:
- Comes with 13/32″ of tread depth
- 70,000 Mile Warranty
- Treadwear Rating 700
- Traction Grade A
- Around $165 a tire
- Available in Black lettering only
Founded in 1941 this South Korean based company has grown in popularity in recent years in countries all over the globe including here in the US. Their technological approach to making successful tire and tread designs have sparked certain interests amongst car enthusiasts worldwide and has cemented Hankook as one of the new kids on the block when it comes to making quality tires.
The Hankook DynaPro HT RH12 is Hankook’s premium all-season tire designed for light trucks, vans, and SUVs. Hankook is newer to the American market but in recent years they have been exploding in popularity not only because of their low-cost products but also how well they perform and this tire is no different. Hankook allowed computers to generate a very successful all-season tread pattern that allows this tire to have extremely efficient wet and wintery road-handling along with very accurate dry road responsiveness. The Hankook DynoPro RH12 also features an extremely high 70,000 mile warranty.
My Review: When I first got into the automotive business about a decade ago Hankook wasn’t a very prominent name but in the past year or two they have exploded onto the market and for good reason. Hankook takes a different approach to designing and manufacturing tires by basically taking human error out the equation and allowing computers to do all the thinking. The result is a tire like the Hankook DynaPro HT RH12 which has been blowing up in popularity this year alone with a meager price tag of around $165 a tire. This highway all-season tire has four wide circumferential grooves and wire tread spies to allow for water and slush to evacuate quickly from under the tire making for great traction no matter the conditions. This tire also has a strong continuous center rib designed to maximize stability and maneuverability when on the highway.
13. Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685
Key Specifications:
- Comes with 15/32″ of tread depth
- No Mileage Warranty
- Load Range E
- Around $230 a tire
- Available in Black or White lettering
With nearly 100 years of experience, Bridgestone is nothing to scoff at when searching for a reliable tire. This Japanese based company has burst onto the scene in the American market and it is clear that they are here to stay with countless positive reviews from consumers, distributors, and mechanics nationwide.
The Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 is an exceptionally tough highway all-season tire designed for light trucks, SUVs, utility vans, crossovers, and dually’s. This tire was designed with heavy loads in mind. Dual heavy-duty steel belts inlaid into the tire allow for impressive stability and control when under heavy loads or tows. Also, a thick network of wide sipes means you will not have to worry when navigating heavy rain or snow.
My Review: In my experience, the Bridgestone Dueler H/T 685 is popular with customers that have heavy axle vehicles such as dually’s, cargo vans, and those who tow regularly. This tire is no slouch when it comes to carrying weight with one of the highest load capacities of any tire on this list. For around $230 a tire you are getting an extremely proficient load baring all-season highway tire that isn’t afraid of heavy weights.
Choosing the Best All-Season Tire for Your Truck or SUV (Buying Guide)
Knowing Your Tire Size
The size of the tire is easy enough. The important part is that you match the size specification of your vehicle. This information can be found on a sticker normally located on the driver side inside door panel below the locking mechanism of the door. The sticker will provide the size appropriate for the front and rear of the vehicle. Additionally, the tire size can also be found in almost every vehicle information manual provided by the dealership. Some truck and SUV owners like to purchase custom rims and if you fall into that category it is your obligation to inform your mechanic or tire technician what the new appropriate tire size is for the custom rim, they will not have that information ready at their disposal. It is also very important that before changing the rim and tire size of your truck or SUV that you check with your local retailer to make sure it is safe.
Load index & Speed rating: This part is VERY important and in my experience, I have seen various companies and garages not pay attention to these values. They are important because each vehicle manufacturer specifies what value of load index and speed rating required for the given vehicle for “Optimal Performance”. These values will be located directly after the size written on the tire. For example (P275/65/17 100T), these values are the “100T” values and can be found in your vehicle manual for what range your vehicle needs to be within for the best performance of the vehicle.
Load index & Speed rating of a Tire
Finally this piece of information may be small but is still of great importance because the “DOT” of the tire will tell you the age of the tire in question. The US Department of Transportation(DOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) requires tire manufacturers to print the “birth date” of the tire if you will, so that the consumer, as well as professionals, know that the tire is still safe for sale and use. This information will be located on every tire on the perimeter of the inner hole of the tire where the rim is mounted. It will always start with DOT followed by a mix of eight to thirteen numbers and letters.
The numbers that will give you the production date, or “birth date”, of the tire, however, will be the final four numbers (DOT*********1221). In this example, we see “1221” as the final four numbers in the sequence. The first two numbers “12” refers to the 12th week of the year it was manufactured and the “21” refers to the year 2021 that it was manufactured. This is important because the US Department of Transportation recommends that no tires be sold as new if they are older than 6 years old.
DOT Number of a Tire
Finally, this piece of information may be small but is still of great importance because the “DOT” of the tire will tell you the age of the tire in question. The US Department of Transportation(DOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) requires tire manufacturers to print the “birth date” of the tire if you will, so that the consumer, as well as professionals, know that the tire is still safe for sale and use. This information will be located on every tire on the perimeter of the inner hole of the tire where the rim is mounted. It will always start with DOT followed by a mix of eight to thirteen numbers and letters.
The numbers that will give you the production date, or “birth date”, of the tire, however, will be the final four numbers (DOT*********1221). In this example, we see “1221” as the final four numbers in the sequence. The first two numbers “12” refers to the 12th week of the year it was manufactured and the “20” refers to the year 2021 that it was manufactured. This is important because the US Department of Transportation recommends that no tires be sold as new if they are older than 6 years old.
Mileage Warranty of a Tire
As you search through different tires you might notice that some tires will include a “Mileage Warranty”. Simply explained this warranty is what the manufacturer guarantees their product will reach before it needs to be replaced. For example, if a tire specifies a 50,000 miles warranty this means that the manufacturer guarantees the tire will get at least 50,000 miles before needing replacement. Additionally, this warranty is important because depending on your place of purchase, if the tire does not meet the warranty then usually the provider will offer a replacement tire at a discounted or “pro-rated” price. If the place of purchase does not honor manufacturer warranties then a claim can always be taken to the manufacturer themselves with the appropriate paperwork for compensation. In short, when searching for a tire, if possible, you want to find a tire with a mileage warranty.
Tire Tread Design
It is common when searching the internet for tires to find terminologies like “symmetrical”, and “asymmetrical” when talking about tire tread patterns and here I will briefly explain each. “Symmetrical” will be the most common of the three and it simply means that if you drew a vertical line through a tire tread longways you would notice that the tread pattern is the same on the left side that it is on the right. These tires are easy to install because it does not matter which side of the tire is facing outward, both sides are the same.
Next is “Asymmetrical”, this means that if you drew the same line dividing the tread you would have two different designs on either side of your line. Asymmetrical tires will have a designated “inner” and “outer” wall that will have to be noticed to be installed properly. One of these is not better than the other, it just means that when the manufactures designed a tires’ tread it was formulated a specific way so that the tire performed the exact actions they needed it to, whatever they may be.
Tire Tread Depth
This refers to the amount of tread depth that comes with all new tires. This will always be provided in 32nds of an inch in the United States, for example, 9/32 is a common depth found with new tires. This measurement is subject to change depending on the type of tire one might be searching for with All-Terrain tires having the deepest and thickest tread as deep as 16/32. In my opinion, when looking for all-season tires you want to see at least 10/32 of tread or very close to that. This will guarantee the most amount of use in the form of miles driven for the tire.
Tire Treadwear Rating
This bit of information is usually a bit more confusing for tire buyers and even the most qualified technicians. This value is usually found on the product sticker found on all new tires. In short the higher the value the longer the tire will last over time when driven on its’ intended surface. Unfortunately, these values are not universal between companies which can create confusion. So if you are keeping track of these values when searching for the right tire I urge you to compare the ratings only when looking at tires from the same manufacturer.
Tire Traction Grade
This system of grading refers to how the tire performs under high stress. Specifically, these coefficients refer to how a tire performed when forcefully stopping on wet asphalt and concrete. Simply put there are four different grading coefficients (AA, A, B, and C) with AA providing the best performance and C having the lowest performance. Unfortunately, this universal standard was only applied semi-recently so this will only apply to tires manufactured after the standard was placed. All in all these grades are helpful when weighing out the safety of the tire under sub-optimal weather conditions.
Pricing of a Tire
As you read through my reviews you will notice that I will list a given tire as “around” a certain price. This is because when it comes to averaging tire cost it is quite difficult and this is why. More common sizes are priced much cheaper than larger rim sizes and also there are the more uncommon performance tire sizes with inflated pricing for the added difficulty to manufacture and install. I have done my best to average together an all-encompassing price tag but don’t be alarmed if your tire size is $50 or more above my average price.
Tire Ply
The term “ply” refers to the number of layers of material that make up the thickness of the tire from the inner tube to the outer tread. It is not commonly known that tires aren’t just made of rubber, when in fact they are made of quite a few materials layered together chemically and heat-treated and adhered together. These layers or “ply’s” determine the durability and strength of a tire. This is important to understand when purchasing a heavy-duty tire because some heavier duty trucks and vans require a certain tire ply count such as 8 to 10 or even 12 ply while normal passenger car tires only require 4 to 6 ply.
Luckily this information is relatively easy to find when looking at a tire itself. First look around the inside bead of the tire where the tire is closest to the rim you will see a small oval with text inside that lists the ply counts and what each play is made of. You can also determine the ply count of a tire by looking at the load rating the tire was assigned, for example, (D is for 8 ply, E is for 10 ply, F is for 12 ply).
Tire Lettering Style
This term more commonly applies to truck tires and it simply refers to whether or not the tire comes with a white lettering option or an all-black sidewall. Some customers prefer white lettering on their tires to easily show off companies and specific tires they have on their vehicle. The list of tires below will include whether or not that specific tire comes with the option of white lettering in the specifications section.
Final Thoughts
It is imperative that you as a consumer take all of this information into account before purchasing any tire. Knowing this key information will not only create the safest driving environment for you but also for your passengers. Regretfully, I have witnessed even trained professionals in the automotive industry lacking knowledge on this type of subject matter so you can never be sure who you can trust, that is why I believe everyone should use the information above to be their own advocate when choosing the right tire for you. Here at Mechanic Approved, I hope that we have helped narrow your search down to the tire that best suits both you and your vehicle!
My name is Codi and I have been interested in automotive mechanics for as long as I can remember. Today I am a professional mechanic as well as a certified tire technician with over 10 years of combined professional experience.
I started this website because over the years I have noticed an increasing trend of false information among customers and automotive professionals alike. So I have gone to great lengths to provide the most factual information about tools, vehicles, companies, and other automotive products so that anyone can be provided with solid information on what they might be looking for.
I was born in South Florida and am currently located in Western Pennsylvania. I have seen how vehicles and tools respond to all types of weather conditions and scenarios over the years and I am happy to share every bit of automotive and mechanical knowledge I possess to help better inform the general public. Here at Mechanic Approved, our goal is to provide the best automotive mechanic information so that both customers and professionals can make better-informed purchases.