Interpreting Consumer Reports

Reading consumer reports on new tire products can be very helpful if you know how to interpret them. If the reports address regular 'street-legal' new tire products, pay close attention to the reviews which duplicate actual street driving conditions rather than testing on a closed course. When you buy tires, you want to base your decision on tests that anticipate rain, rough roads, cold and hot conditions, start-and-stop city traffic, etc. A closed course with optimal conditions won't give accurate performance data on in-traffic driving or sudden weather changes peculiar to your area. It's important to make an informed choice when you buy tires; it's even more important to get the right data.