Quality Tires for Every Driving Need

The Right Tires Make All the Difference

Tires are your vehicle's only point of contact with the road, making them one of the most critical components for safety, performance, and comfort. At Custom Wheels N Tires, we offer an extensive selection of high-quality tires from leading manufacturers, ensuring you find the perfect match for your vehicle, driving conditions, and personal preferences.

Tire Types for Every Application

Different driving needs require specific tire designs. Our comprehensive inventory includes:

• All-Season Tires: Versatile options designed to perform reliably in various conditions throughout the year, offering a balanced combination of wet traction, dry grip, and light winter capability.
• Summer/Performance Tires: Engineered for maximum grip and responsive handling in dry and wet conditions, but not suitable for winter driving. Available in various performance levels from high-performance to ultra-high-performance for sports cars and enthusiast vehicles.
• Winter/Snow Tires: Specially formulated with unique tread patterns and rubber compounds that remain flexible in cold temperatures, providing superior traction on snow and ice.
• All-Terrain Tires: Designed for SUVs and trucks that split time between highways and off-road trails, offering good on-road manners with enhanced off-road capability.
• Mud-Terrain Tires: Aggressive tread patterns with large lugs and reinforced construction for serious off-road enthusiasts, providing maximum traction in mud, rocks, and other challenging terrain.
• Highway Tires: Specialized for trucks and SUVs primarily used on paved roads, offering improved comfort, reduced noise, and better fuel efficiency compared to all-terrain options.
• Touring Tires: Comfort-oriented tires with excellent road manners, reduced noise levels, and longer tread life, ideal for sedans and family vehicles.

Understanding Tire Specifications

Tire sizing and specifications can seem complex, but understanding these numbers ensures you select the correct tires for your vehicle:

• Tire Size (e.g., 245/45R18): The first number (245) indicates the tire width in millimeters. The second number (45) is the aspect ratio—the sidewall height as a percentage of the width. The letter R signifies Radial construction, and the last number (18) is the wheel diameter in inches.
• Load Index: A numerical code indicating the maximum weight each tire can support when properly inflated.
• Speed Rating: A letter code representing the maximum speed capability of the tire under ideal conditions.
• UTQG Rating: The Uniform Tire Quality Grading system provides ratings for treadwear (longevity), traction (grip on wet surfaces), and temperature resistance (heat dissipation).

Our tire experts can help you navigate these specifications to ensure you select tires that meet both your vehicle's requirements and your driving needs.

Tire Construction & Technology

Modern tires incorporate advanced engineering and materials to deliver exceptional performance:

• Tread Compounds: Specialized rubber formulations optimized for specific conditions—softer compounds for grip, harder compounds for longevity, and winter-specific compounds for cold-weather flexibility.
• Tread Patterns: Designed to channel water, provide biting edges for traction, reduce noise, and enhance stability. Patterns vary significantly between tire types to optimize for their intended use.
• Internal Construction: Multiple layers of specialized materials including steel belts, polyester, and nylon provide stability, strength, and comfort characteristics.
• Sidewall Design: Influences ride quality, handling response, and load-carrying capability. Some performance tires feature stiffer sidewalls for sharper handling, while touring tires may use softer sidewalls for improved comfort.
• Run-Flat Technology: Available on select models, allowing continued driving for a limited distance after a puncture, eliminating the need for immediate roadside tire changes.

Performance Considerations

When selecting tires, consider these key performance factors:

• Traction: The tire's ability to grip the road, affecting acceleration, braking, and cornering. Different tires prioritize traction in specific conditions (dry, wet, snow, off-road).
• Handling: How responsively the tire transfers steering inputs to the road. Performance-oriented tires typically offer sharper, more immediate response.
• Comfort: Ride quality and noise levels vary significantly between tire types. Touring and highway tires generally prioritize comfort, while performance and off-road tires may sacrifice some comfort for capability.
• Tread Life: Expected mileage before replacement. Typically, softer compounds that provide better grip wear faster than harder compounds designed for longevity.
• Fuel Efficiency: Low rolling resistance tires require less energy to move, potentially improving fuel economy.
• Seasonal Capability: Consider your local climate and whether you need year-round performance or season-specific tires for optimal safety and capability.

Tire Maintenance Essentials

Proper maintenance extends tire life and ensures optimal performance:

• Regular Pressure Checks: Maintain recommended pressure levels (found in your vehicle's owner's manual or door jamb sticker) for improved fuel economy, even wear, and optimal handling.
• Rotation Schedule: Rotate tires every 5,000-7,000 miles to promote even wear across all positions.
• Alignment Service: Proper wheel alignment prevents premature and uneven tire wear while improving handling and fuel efficiency.
• Tread Depth Monitoring: Replace tires when tread depth reaches 2/32" (or sooner for winter tires). The penny test is a simple way to check—if Lincoln's head is visible when inserted upside-down in the tread, it's time for replacement.
• Seasonal Inspection: Have your tires professionally inspected before extreme weather seasons to address any concerns before they become safety issues.

Frequently Asked Questions