The General Tires Legacy
Founded in 1915, General Tires has established itself as a respected name in the tire industry for over a century. Now a part of Continental AG, one of the world's largest automotive suppliers and tire manufacturers, General Tires combines German engineering excellence with accessible pricing to deliver exceptional value to consumers. This unique positioning allows the brand to offer tires with premium design characteristics at competitive price points that appeal to value-conscious drivers.
What distinguishes General Tires in the competitive marketplace is their commitment to leveraging Continental's advanced technology and research capabilities while maintaining their own distinct brand identity focused on practicality and value. This approach results in tires that provide an optimal balance of performance, safety, durability, and price across diverse vehicle applications and driving conditions. With manufacturing facilities in multiple countries and a global distribution network, General Tires has established itself as a trusted choice for drivers seeking quality tires without premium price tags.
General Tires' Premium Product Lines
Grabber All-Terrain and Off-Road Series
The Grabber series represents General Tires' flagship offering for trucks, SUVs, and off-road enthusiasts. The Grabber A/TX features a versatile all-terrain design that delivers confident performance across diverse surfaces while maintaining civilized road manners. Its aggressive tread pattern with optimized block placement provides excellent traction in mud, gravel, and snow without excessive road noise during highway driving. Many sizes in the A/TX lineup carry the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification for severe snow performance, making them suitable for year-round use in variable climates. For more extreme off-road conditions, the Grabber X3 offers enhanced capability with its deep, self-cleaning tread design and reinforced sidewalls that provide exceptional puncture resistance during technical off-road excursions. The series is rounded out by the Grabber HD, designed specifically for heavy-duty trucks and commercial applications with enhanced load-carrying capacity and durability features. Across the entire Grabber lineup, General Tires incorporates their DuraGen technology, which enhances tread life and cut resistance in harsh environments, making these tires particularly popular among outdoor enthusiasts who demand long-term performance without premium pricing.
G-MAX Performance Series
The G-MAX series showcases General Tires' expertise in the performance segment with designs optimized for sports cars, performance sedans, and coupes. The G-MAX RS features an ultra-high performance summer compound with an asymmetric tread design that maximizes dry grip and handling precision while incorporating effective water evacuation channels for wet traction. Its specialized sidewall construction enhances steering response and cornering stability during aggressive driving, while the optimized contact patch contributes to even wear and consistent performance throughout the tire's lifespan. For drivers seeking year-round performance capability, the G-MAX AS-05 offers similar handling characteristics with an all-season compound that maintains flexibility across a wider temperature range. Both models incorporate General's StabiliTread Technology, which helps maintain the tire's footprint during cornering for predictable handling and improved tread life compared to conventional performance tires. The G-MAX series delivers genuine performance capabilities at price points significantly below premium European brands, making it particularly attractive to enthusiast drivers operating within practical budget constraints.
AltiMAX Touring All-Season Series
The AltiMAX series addresses the needs of everyday drivers seeking reliable all-season performance with enhanced comfort and longevity. The AltiMAX RT43 represents General Tires' premium touring offering, featuring a symmetric tread design with specialized sound-wave suppression technology that reduces road noise for a quieter cabin experience. Its Low Surface Abrasion compound extends tread life while maintaining traction across diverse weather conditions, while the optimized sipe distribution enhances grip during light winter driving. With impressive 75,000-mile treadwear warranties on select sizes, the RT43 delivers exceptional value for drivers of sedans, coupes, and crossovers who prioritize durability and ride quality. The series includes the AltiMAX RT45, designed specifically for larger vehicles and crossovers with construction optimized to handle additional weight while maintaining comfort characteristics. These tires have gained particular popularity among practical-minded consumers seeking maximum longevity and value without sacrificing essential performance in everyday driving situations.
Altimax Arctic Winter Series
For regions that experience severe winter conditions, the Altimax Arctic series offers specialized cold-weather performance with features designed specifically for snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. The Altimax Arctic 12 utilizes a specialized Nordic compound that maintains flexibility in extreme cold, combined with a directional tread pattern featuring General's multi-angle sipe system that creates thousands of biting edges for enhanced grip on ice and packed snow. Its D.R.A.W. technology (Directional Response Alignment Warranty) helps maintain proper alignment for consistent handling throughout winter, while the specialized stud pins (where permitted by local regulations) provide maximum traction on icy surfaces. Available in a comprehensive range of sizes for passenger cars and crossovers, the Altimax Arctic series delivers premium winter performance at midrange price points. These tires have earned recognition for their excellent balance of snow traction, ice grip, and reasonable road manners, making them a practical choice for drivers in cold-weather regions who need dedicated winter capabilities without premium pricing.
Evertrek Commercial and Highway Series
The Evertrek series demonstrates General Tires' capabilities in the commercial and highway segment with designs optimized for vans, light trucks, and commercial applications. The Evertrek GT features a highway-optimized tread pattern that reduces rolling resistance for improved fuel economy while maintaining confident wet and dry traction across diverse driving conditions. Its reinforced construction supports the higher load requirements of commercial vehicles, while the specialized tread compound resists chipping and cracking during constant stop-start operations typical of delivery applications. For passenger applications, the Evertrek RTX provides similar highway-focused performance with enhanced comfort features suitable for family vehicles and extended highway travel. Both models incorporate General's low-noise technology and optimized tread block sequencing to minimize road noise transmission into the cabin, creating a refined driving experience despite their utilitarian focus. The Evertrek series offers impressive treadwear warranties and load-carrying capacities that make them particularly attractive to fleet operators and commercial users seeking to maximize value and minimize downtime.
Key Takeaways About General Tires
- Continental Engineering: As part of Continental AG, General Tires benefits from advanced German engineering and research capabilities that influence their tire designs and manufacturing processes, resulting in performance characteristics that frequently exceed expectations at their price points.
- Value-Oriented Positioning: General Tires consistently delivers products with premium-adjacent performance at mid-tier pricing, typically positioned 15-25% below top-tier brands while offering competitive warranty coverage and durability.
- Comprehensive Product Range: From specialized winter tires to ultra-high-performance options and rugged all-terrain designs, General offers appropriate solutions for virtually every vehicle type and driving requirement across diverse climate conditions.
- Strong Winter Performance: General's winter tire lineup, particularly the Altimax Arctic series, has earned industry recognition for delivering exceptional cold-weather capability at accessible price points, making winter safety more attainable for average consumers.
- Impressive Warranties: Many General tire models feature competitive treadwear warranties (up to 75,000 miles on select touring products), reflecting the company's confidence in their manufacturing quality and durability engineering.
For drivers seeking reliable tires that deliver solid performance across diverse applications without breaking the bank, General Tires offers compelling options that leverage Continental's engineering expertise while maintaining accessible pricing. Their balanced approach to performance, durability, and value has established them as a respected choice for practical-minded consumers nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions About General Tires
Are General Tires good quality?
Yes, General Tires delivers solid quality and performance across their product lineup. As a subsidiary of Continental AG, one of the world's premier tire manufacturers, General benefits from advanced German engineering and quality control practices. Their manufacturing facilities adhere to rigorous standards, and their designs incorporate many technologies developed by Continental's research teams. While positioned at more accessible price points than premium brands, General tires frequently outperform competitors in their price range and provide performance characteristics that approach those of more expensive options. Independent testing and consumer reviews consistently rate General tires highly for their balance of quality, performance, and value, making them a smart choice for practical-minded consumers seeking reliable tires without paying premium prices.
How long do General Tires typically last?
General tire longevity varies by model, with their touring and highway tires like the AltiMAX RT43 typically offering impressive treadwear warranties up to 75,000 miles under normal conditions. Their all-terrain and light truck options generally provide 50,000-60,000 miles of service, while performance-oriented models like the G-MAX series typically deliver 40,000-50,000 miles depending on driving style. As with any tire brand, actual tread life depends significantly on driving habits, maintenance practices (rotation, alignment, inflation), road conditions, and vehicle characteristics. General's treadwear warranties generally align closely with expected lifespans, reflecting the company's confidence in their products' durability. Many consumers report that General tires frequently exceed their warranty mileage when properly maintained, contributing to the brand's reputation for excellent value.
Where are General Tires manufactured?
General Tires are produced in multiple manufacturing facilities around the world, including plants in the United States, Germany, Portugal, and other locations. As part of Continental AG, General benefits from the parent company's global production network and quality control standards. Their U.S. production primarily occurs at Continental's state-of-the-art facility in Mount Vernon, Illinois, which manufactures millions of tires annually for both the General and Continental brands. This American manufacturing presence supports thousands of U.S. jobs while ensuring quality control standards meet Continental's exacting requirements. The specific manufacturing location for individual tire models can typically be identified by the DOT code on the sidewall, with production typically aligned to serve regional markets efficiently while maintaining consistent quality across all facilities.
How do General Tires compare to Continental?
General Tires and Continental share corporate ownership and engineering resources, but the brands maintain distinct product lines with different positioning. Continental represents the premium tier with cutting-edge technology, maximum performance capabilities, and corresponding higher prices. General occupies the value-oriented mid-market position, offering reliable performance informed by Continental's engineering expertise but at more accessible price points. While there is significant technology sharing between the brands, Continental models generally feature more advanced construction techniques, specialized materials, and extended warranties. The relationship enables Continental AG to serve different market segments effectively while maintaining separate brand identities. Many consumers find that General tires deliver 80-90% of the performance of comparable Continental models at 70-80% of the price, making them an excellent value proposition for practical-minded drivers.
Are General Tires good in snow?
General Tires offers several models with excellent snow performance, particularly their dedicated winter options like the Altimax Arctic 12, which has earned industry recognition for its exceptional cold-weather capabilities. These specialized winter tires feature advanced Nordic compounds and sophisticated siping patterns specifically engineered for maximum grip on snow and ice. Beyond dedicated winter tires, many of General's all-terrain offerings like the Grabber A/TX carry the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification for severe snow conditions, making them suitable for year-round use in variable climates. Even their all-season models like the AltiMAX RT43 incorporate optimized sipe distribution that enhances grip during light winter driving. While dedicated winter tires remain the best choice for severe cold-weather regions, General's diverse winter-capable options allow drivers to select appropriate tires based on their specific climate and driving needs.
What is General Tires' warranty coverage?
General Tires offers comprehensive warranty protection across their product lineup, demonstrating confidence in their manufacturing quality. Most passenger and light truck tires come with limited treadwear warranties ranging from 40,000 to 75,000 miles depending on the specific model, with touring tires like the AltiMAX RT43 featuring the most generous coverage. Additionally, General provides a 45-day satisfaction guarantee on most models that allows customers to exchange tires if they're not completely satisfied with performance. All General tires include a standard limited warranty against defects in workmanship and materials for 72 months from purchase date, with free replacement during the first year or first 2/32" of tread wear. Their commercial products feature specialized warranty coverage appropriate for professional applications. These competitive warranties provide significant consumer protection that enhances the overall value proposition of General tires compared to both budget brands with minimal coverage and premium options with similar warranty terms at higher price points.