Shops count on you not knowing this stuff. These guides fix that. Every one is free, for everyone — no account, no email, no catch. We make money on Saver subscriptions, not on keeping you confused.
225/65R17 isn't a code, it's three measurements. 225 is the width in millimeters. 65 means the sidewall height is 65% of that width. R17 is the wheel diameter in inches. Once you can read it, you can compare prices on the exact tire you need — not the one a salesperson picks for you.
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"All-season" sounds like it handles winter. It mostly doesn't — it's a compromise tuned for mild weather. All-weather tires carry the three-peak mountain snowflake rating and actually grip below 45°F. If you see real snow every year, this one label is worth more than any brand name.
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The penny test passes a tire at 2/32" of tread — the legal minimum, not the safe one. Wet braking distance gets noticeably worse below 4/32". And tread isn't the whole story: rubber ages out around 6–10 years even with tread left. Check the DOT date code, not just the depth.
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Tire retail has no list price discipline. Regional warehouses, dealer agreements and install bundles mean the identical tire varies wildly within one zip code. Shops also quote per-tire prices that hide install, balancing and disposal fees. We break down where the markup hides — and how to compare the real out-the-door number.
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Tire discounts follow a calendar. October sales hit before winter-tire season; April sales hit before summer road trips. Holiday weekends — Memorial Day, Labor Day, Black Friday — bring short, real promos. Buying in February at full price is how people overpay by $100+ a set. Patience is the cheapest tire discount there is.
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The letters after your tire size — like 102H — are the load index and speed rating. Going equal or higher is fine and sometimes cheaper. Going lower is not: it can void coverage and genuinely matters at highway speed with a loaded car. A cheaper tire with a lower rating isn't a deal. It's a downgrade.
Read the guide →Reading the guides is free. So is comparing prices. Run a search for your size and see what your area actually charges.