Strong and Sporty Vehicle

If things hold up, it appears that this summer gas will stay south of three dollars a gallon. That is amazing considering how a couple of summers ago it looked as if it was headed to the five or six dollars a gallon range and was going to stay there. Back then, there was great desire by many drivers to unload their big SUVs for something smaller. But eventually the prices went down and most SUVs stayed on the road and in their owners’ garages.

Considering this, SUV drivers new and old might want to take a look at their tires and see if it’s time to upgrade to a better model or find a model that fits their driving habits. If you are in this camp, here are some things to consider.

Load rating and size — Do you know what your vehicle’s load rating and size recommendations are? If not, check your owner’s manual and find out because it is of utmost importance when shopping for new tires. The sizes of SUVs are dramatically different and so what you need in tires might differ drastically from your neighbor’s SUV.

Tread width — Did you know the difference in tread width on standard SUV tires can vary from six to ten inches? Did you know that these variations in tread width can make a difference in things like how much weight your SUV can handle or how much it will skid if you happen to be driving on a slick road? Generally, tires with a greater tread width handle higher speeds better.

Off roading or driving the family around the city? — Here’s the basic question you probably need to ask when thinking about new tires for your sports utility vehicle. Do you do any off-road driving? Or is this the wagon that you use to take the kids around to various ballgames and other things? Taking your car off road means that your tires are going to take a beating and need to be tougher in order to last more than one or two trips. In that case, you should be looking for all-terrain tires that feature a high-load rating and can handle the punishment. For city driving, you’ll want a lighter tire that might, over the long haul, give you a break at the gas pump.

Certainly tires are no small consideration when you are looking at keeping your vehicle in the best shape, both as an investment and as the key element for safe driving. New wheels for your SUV might be just the way to satisfy yourself in these areas