Are more expensive tires always better?

Not always. Premium tires offer advantages in specific areas like tread life or wet grip, but a mid-range tire that matches your driving habits often delivers better value than a premium tire you do not need.

What is a load index and why does it matter?

The load index is a number on the sidewall that indicates the maximum weight a tire can support. Using a tire with a load index lower than your vehicle requires is unsafe, especially when towing or carrying heavy loads.

How many tires should I replace at once?

Ideally replace all four at once for even handling. If budget is a concern, replace both tires on the same axle to maintain consistent grip. Never put a single new tire on a vehicle with significantly worn others.

Can I put truck tires on my SUV?

SUVs often use LT-rated tires (Light Truck), but check your owner manual. True truck tires on a passenger SUV can make the ride rougher and may not improve performance unless you actually need the higher load capacity.

T&H Tire And Auto Service

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Choosing the Right Tires for Your Vehicle: All-Season vs. Performance vs. Truck Tires

June 10, 2026 7 min readBy T&H Tire And Auto Service

Not all tires are built the same. Here is how to match tire type to how — and where — you actually drive in Middle Tennessee.

All-season tires: the right call for most daily drivers

If you drive a sedan, crossover, or minivan around Old Hickory, Hermitage, or Donelson and want one tire that handles everything from summer heat to the occasional winter frost, an all-season tire is almost always the right choice. They balance tread life, ride comfort, and wet-weather grip without the trade-offs of a specialized tire.

Performance tires: for drivers who want sharper handling

Performance and ultra-high-performance tires use softer rubber compounds and more aggressive tread designs to improve cornering grip and steering response. The trade-off is a shorter tread life and a firmer ride. These make sense on sportier sedans and coupes, but they wear faster in stop-and-go city driving.

Truck and light-truck (LT) tires: built for towing and load

If you tow a boat to Percy Priest Lake or haul equipment for work, standard passenger tires will wear unevenly and can be unsafe under heavy loads. LT-rated tires have reinforced sidewalls and a higher load index, and all-terrain versions add extra grip for gravel driveways and job sites around Mount Juliet.

What actually matters: load rating and speed rating

Every tire has a load index and speed rating molded into the sidewall — these numbers, not just the tire's size, need to match or exceed your vehicle manufacturer's specification. Putting an undersized load rating on a loaded SUV is a common and dangerous mistake we catch often during inspections.

Let us help you decide

We carry Michelin, Goodyear, Cooper, and BFGoodrich, and our team will walk you through the right option for your specific vehicle and driving habits — not just the cheapest tire on the shelf. Call us or stop by and we'll give you an honest recommendation.

Need this looked at in person?

Our team offers free inspections at 3602 Old Hickory Blvd.

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Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions our technicians hear about tire types.

The number sequence (e.g., 225/65R17) tells you the tire width in millimeters, aspect ratio of the sidewall, and wheel diameter in inches. Always replace with the size your manufacturer recommends.

Still have a question? Contact our team or give us a call and we will walk you through it.