Tires 101: What Every First-Time Car Owner Should Know

Here’s a fact that might change how you think about your car: your tires are the only part of the vehicle that touches the road. Every bit of steering, braking, and acceleration goes through four palm-sized patches of rubber. So yeah, tires matter.

If you’re a first-time car owner, tires might feel intimidating — there are a lot of numbers, sizes, and types. But the basics are straightforward, and understanding them will keep you safe and save you money.

Understanding Tire Sizes

Look at the sidewall of your tire and you’ll see something like: P215/55R17 94V

Here’s what that means:

P — Passenger vehicle tire
215 — Width of the tire in millimeters
55 — Aspect ratio (sidewall height as a percentage of width)
R — Radial construction (virtually all modern tires)
17 — Wheel diameter in inches
94 — Load index (how much weight the tire can support)
V — Speed rating (maximum safe speed)

When replacing tires, match the size on your current tires (or check your door jamb sticker for the manufacturer’s recommended size). Don’t guess.

Types of Tires

All-Season Tires

The default for most cars. Designed to handle dry, wet, and light snow conditions. They’re a jack-of-all-trades — not the best at anything but acceptable at everything.

Best for: Most drivers in mild to moderate climates. If you don’t get heavy snow, all-season is probably fine.

Cost: $80-200 per tire for most passenger cars

Summer/Performance Tires

Softer rubber compound that grips better in warm, dry conditions. Excellent handling and braking. But they’re terrible in cold weather — below about 45°F, the rubber hardens and loses grip significantly.

Best for: Sports cars, performance driving, warm climates year-round.

Winter/Snow Tires

Specially designed for cold temperatures, snow, and ice. The rubber stays flexible in freezing temps, and the tread pattern is designed to bite into snow and channel slush. Look for the 3PMSF symbol (three-peak mountain snowflake) on the sidewall.

Best for: Anyone who regularly drives in temperatures below 40°F or deals with snow and ice. We’ve got more on this in our seasonal tires guide.

All-Weather Tires

A newer category that bridges all-season and winter. They carry the 3PMSF rating for snow traction but work year-round. More versatile than all-season, not quite as good as dedicated winters in heavy snow.

Best for: Drivers who want one set of tires year-round but deal with occasional snow.

Tire Pressure: The 5-Minute Check That Matters

Why It Matters

Under-inflated tires increase fuel consumption, wear out faster (and unevenly), handle worse, and can overheat — potentially leading to a blowout. Over-inflated tires ride harshly, have less grip, and wear unevenly in the center.

How to Check

Buy a tire pressure gauge ($5-10 at any auto parts store)
Check the recommended pressure on the sticker inside your driver’s door jamb (NOT the number on the tire sidewall — that’s the maximum, not the target)
Check pressure when tires are cold (before driving or after sitting for 3+ hours)
Unscrew the valve cap, press the gauge firmly onto the valve, and read the number
Add or release air as needed — gas stations have air pumps, usually $1-2

How often: At least once a month, and before long road trips. Tire pressure changes about 1 PSI for every 10°F change in temperature, so seasonal checks are important.

TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System)

If your car was made after 2007, it has TPMS. A warning light (looks like an exclamation mark inside a horseshoe) appears when a tire drops below the recommended pressure. Don’t ignore this light — but also don’t rely solely on it. It only alerts you when pressure is significantly low.

Tread Depth: When to Replace

Tire tread is what channels water away from the contact patch and grips the road. As tread wears down, your tires lose their ability to do both.

The Penny Test

Insert a penny into the tread groove with Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, your tread is below 2/32” and the tire needs replacing. That’s the legal minimum in most states.

The Quarter Test (Better Standard)

Use a quarter instead. If you can see the top of Washington’s head, your tread is below 4/32” — time to start shopping. At 4/32”, wet weather performance drops significantly.

Tread Wear Indicators

Most tires have built-in wear bars — raised rubber strips in the grooves. When the tread surface is flush with these bars, the tire is at 2/32” and needs immediate replacement.

Tire Rotation: Why and How Often

Your tires don’t wear evenly. Front tires typically wear faster because they handle steering and (on FWD cars) acceleration. Rotating tires moves them to different positions so they wear more evenly, which extends their life.

How often: Every 5,000-7,500 miles — conveniently, about the same interval as an oil change. Many shops will do both at the same time.

Cost: $20-50 at most shops, and many tire retailers include free rotations when you buy tires from them.

Rotation Patterns

Front-wheel drive: Front tires go straight to the back; back tires cross to the front
Rear-wheel drive: Back tires go straight to the front; front tires cross to the back
All-wheel drive: Follow your owner’s manual — it varies

Wheel Alignment

If your car pulls to one side, the steering wheel is off-center, or you notice uneven tire wear, you might need an alignment. This adjusts the angles of your wheels so they point in the right direction.

Cost: $75-150 for a four-wheel alignment How often: Whenever you notice symptoms, after hitting a major pothole, or when installing new tires

Skipping alignments doesn’t just wear out your tires prematurely (which is expensive) — it also affects handling and safety.

How Long Do Tires Last?

Most tires last 40,000-70,000 miles depending on the type, driving conditions, and how well you maintain them. But even if they have plenty of tread, tires should be replaced after 6 years regardless. The rubber degrades over time, losing flexibility and grip.

Check the DOT code on the sidewall — the last four digits indicate the week and year of manufacture. “2523” means week 25 of 2023.

The Bottom Line

Your tires are a critical safety component — take them seriously. Check your pressure monthly, inspect tread depth regularly, rotate them every 5,000-7,500 miles, and replace them when they’re worn out or aged out.

Good tires on a cheap car will outperform cheap tires on a good car every time. It’s one of the best investments you can make in your safety as a driver.

MyFirstCar helps you stay on top of tire rotations, pressure checks, and replacement schedules with smart reminders tailored to your car. One less thing to remember. Download the app →