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7980 S Broadway
Littleton, CO
303.515.7308

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Your Nearest Store:

7980 S Broadway
Littleton, CO
303.515.7308

firestone storefront
Most stores are open nights and weekends

store location map Directions
Store Hours:
Day(s) Hours
MON-FRI: 7:00am-7:00pm
SAT: 7:00am-6:00pm
SUN: 9:00am-5:00pm
Store Details Change Store Find a Store
Schedule An Appointment

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TYPES OF TIRES Everything you need to know about types of tires on the market

UNDERSTANDING TYPES OF TIRES

The right set of tires can make driving a much smoother, more relaxing experience. But with all the options available, it can be difficult to decide what type of tires are right for your vehicle, driving needs, and budget. Understanding the features of common types of tires is a great place to start and our tire glossary is here to help.

TIRE TYPES FOR PASSENGER VEHICLES

A passenger vehicle is designed to carry people on highways, country roads and city streets and is classified as large enough to carry the driver and no more than eight passengers. The tires for many passenger vehicles are engineered with a smooth, quiet ride in mind and will also come with reliable traction and tread life. Depending on the driving conditions where you live and your driving preference requirements, you'll probably have one of these seven common types of tires for passenger vehicles. 

ALL-SEASON

With their moderate tread depth engineered to extract water, all-season tires can provide adequate traction in various conditions, from dry to wet, and even light winter weather. With a longer tread life than summer tires, all-season tires can be convenient and affordable for anyone living in areas with a moderate climate. No matter what type of passenger vehicle you drive, there is an all-season tire that will fit.

PERFORMANCE

Made for sports cars, exotic cars and racing-style cars, performance tires like Bridgestone Potenza or Firestone Firehawk are designed to deliver ultra-precise handling, a smooth ride and high-speed capabilities. While they are generally more expensive than other types of tires and tend to wear out faster, performance tires are usually meant for vehicles that aren’t driven every day. If you want tires that elevate the driving experience, performance tires are meant to do just that.

SUMMER

Engineered to perform best in warm and moderate weather conditions, summer tires are known for their precise handling capabilities and performance on wet roads. The rubber used in summer tires can start to lose flexibility in colder weather, so ideally, you’ll switch them out for winter tires if you live in an area with temperatures that drop below about 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer tires can also be on the more expensive end of the spectrum, especially since they are only appropriate for specific weather and driving conditions.

TOURING

Similar to all-season tires, a touring tire is designed for a variety of road conditions but comes with a quiet ride and extra comfort.. Usually constructed with a wider tread to give them more contact with the road, touring tires also have a higher speed rating than most typical all-seasons. Touring can apply to many different types of tires. For example, you can choose all-season touring, winter touring or summer touring tires to maximize the benefits of each type of tire. Thanks to their versatility, touring tires can  work for a wide range of different budgets. 

WINTER

Made with special tread and rubber compounds for maximum grip in extreme weather conditions, winter tires are essential for drivers living in areas with snowy and icy road conditions. Engineered specifically for cold weather, winter tires like Bridgestone Blizzak or Firestone Winterforce should not be used in moderate to warm weather and should be switched out for summer or all-season tires when the temperature starts to rise. While good winter tires can be costly, they should be considered an investment in safety and the longevity of your vehicle.

SPARE

When it comes to spare tires, some people choose to keep a fifth tire as part of their set, which they will rotate in and out of use regularly. The other option is a dedicated spare, often called a donut. They are typically rated for up to 50 miles, at speeds up to 50mph and require a higher air pressure than standard tires. Since they take up less space than a full-size tire, donuts can be more economical in case of an emergency but are not recommended for some trucks, performance vehicles, 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles.

RUN-FLAT TIRES

Worried about getting a flat and being stuck on the side of the road? Run-flat tires like DriveGuard are constructed to allow you to continue to drive on them after a puncture for up to 50 miles and up to 50 mph. That means if you get a flat on the road, instead of waiting for a tow truck, you can drive your car to a safe place to have the tire replaced. To ensure you’re aware of a potential puncture as soon as possible, run-flat tires can only be used in vehicles equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).♰

TIRE TYPES FOR TRUCKS AND SUVS

Small and mid-size trucks and SUVs are often equipped with passenger tires, but larger models or vehicles that go off-road or on unpredictable terrain may benefit from a more heavy-duty tire. Some tires are designed specifically for unpredictable terrain and will provide the added traction required. These three types of tires are commonly used for trucks and SUVs.

ALL-TERRAIN

To deliver on- and off-road performance, an all-terrain tire tread maximizes comfort and handling while minimizing road noise. They are built for versatility so whether you’re driving on paved highways or dirt back roads, all-terrain tires like Firestone Destination can adapt to maintain a smooth, dependable ride. While some think all-terrain tires are only for vehicles with four-wheel drive, they can also significantly impact the drivability of two-wheel-drive vehicles.

MUD-TERRAIN

Mud-terrain, or max-traction, tires have the deepest tread depth and largest tread voids to grip terrains like gravel, mud, and dirt roads. For the same reasons, they also come with increased road noise on highways. Due to their shorter tread life and reduced fuel economy, mud-terrain tires are usually only necessary for vehicles that will spend most of their time off traditional roads.

SPORT

Sport truck (sometimes called performance truck) tires have all-season tread patterns that are optimized for a variety of weather conditions and generally have sipes for enhanced traction. These tires also boast higher speed ratings. Along with the superior handling and performance, sport truck tires are also designed with style in mind and are a top choice for anyone with a truck they like to show off.

♰Certain limitations and restrictions apply. See warranty manual for details.

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