Are expensive tires really worth it? Find out how higher-quality tires differ from cheaper options, and what you should consider before investing in premium tires.
What makes a Premium Tire?
Tires are usually classified by their intended terrain or handling ability in specific conditions, and are divided into categories such as “All-Terrain” or “Mud-Terrain”. Premium tires perform consistently in a variety of terrains and weather conditions. A premium tire is defined by longer tread life, improved balance and durability, and higher overall construction quality. With proper maintenance, premium all-terrain tires will have a tread life of over 50,000 miles.
Premium tires are already more expensive than most, but the price of certain sizes and styles often fluctuates. Market tendencies, supply and demand, and brand quality are some of the factors that impact tire pricing. Even the same model of tire can differ in price between sizes. For example, smaller tires with less inventory and demand may cost more than popular sizes such as 35″s.
View our selection of All-Terrain and Off-Road Tires!
Longevity and Wear
The tread life of premium tires is one of their major selling points. Most options will easily reach between 50,000-55,000 miles with proper upkeep, with some models lasting even longer. Tires such as the Falken Wildpeak AT4W or BFGoodrich KO3 can reach up to 65,000 miles before needing replacement. These tires aren’t just designed to look better than budget options, they’re built to maintain performance as they start to wear.
Higher-end tires contain multiple indicators that help drivers monitor tread life. These are visual markers on the tire that display how portions of the tread wear down over time, letting the driver know when tires need replacement. All tires include at least one wear indicator, but premium tires combine several markers with advanced engineering in order to maximize performance.
Some tread patterns also help to release the heat that builds up due to friction between the rubber and pavement. The immense heat can contribute to faster wear, especially when it’s concentrated in a single area. Grooves in the tread distribute heat more evenly and improve the tires’ airflow.
Additional Benefits
Many tires are designed to include self-cleaning elements within the tread pattern. On roads with heavy snow and mud, loose terrain, or other obstructions, self-cleaning tires are able to shed any debris that block the tread. This is integral to the traction and control of the vehicle. When the treads are obstructed, even brand-new tires won’t be able to properly grip the road, especially during adverse conditions.
Road-force balancing is a procedure that tests the strength and quality of new tires. During this process, the tires are tested under conditions that drivers will actually encounter on the road. The results can reveal defective tires, poor balancing, or interference caused from wheels and other components.
Tires from reputable and high-end manufacturers undergo more thorough quality checks, and are produced with more consistency and attention. Because of this, the road-force balancing on premium tires often reveals fewer issues. Investing in quality tires from the start may prevent spending to repair problems such as wear or poor quality.
What you Should know Before buying premium tires
What contributes to the increased price of high-end tires? While brand names play a role, reputation isn’t the only reason for the higher price tag. Manufacturers such as Nitto conduct extensive research and testing in order to produce the best possible tire, even utilizing customer feedback to learn more about how their tires perform in the real world. Buying from a high-quality brand ensures a standard of engineering, quality, and warranty support.
Even premium tires still need consistent maintenance. Without upkeep, even the best tires will suffer from uneven wear, improper balance, and other issues, leading to a shorter tread life. Increased wear can also be caused by faults in the suspension or other vehicle complications. Proper inflation and tire rotations, alignments and other checks of the vehicle will prevent early tire replacement.
While premium tires have features and benefits that budget tires do not, cheap tires from reputable manufacturers are still reliable and safe. There are certain standards that almost all tires are required to meet, and there’s no reason to replace a functional budget tire if it still meets your needs. Premium tires offer the extra benefits, such as better construction and longer life, that make them worth the additional investment.
