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How to Choose the Right Tires for Your Vehicle

Explore tire types, sizes and other key factors to consider before buying a new set of tires.

Two hands on the top of the steering wheel of a car driving on an empty asphalt scenic road with mountainous terrain being shown out of the windshield.

In the grand scheme of automotive maintenance, one component often overlooked is the tires. Despite being the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road, tires are frequently disregarded until a problem arises. However, understanding the significance of having the right tires on your vehicle is paramount for ensuring a high-quality performance on the road. Keep reading to learn more about why having the right tires on your vehicle is important from Hercules Tires.

Confident Driving

When it comes to driving with confidence, tires play a pivotal role. Imagine driving on slick, wet roads with worn-out tires lacking proper tread depth. Such a scenario increases the risk of hydroplaning, loss of traction, and accidents. Conversely, equipping your vehicle with the right tires designed for prevailing weather and road conditions enhances grip and maneuverability.

Handling and Control

Proper tires that are ultra-high-performing aren't only important for protection; they also significantly affect how your vehicle handles. Whether navigating sharp turns or cruising down highways, the right set of tires can provide optimal grip and responsiveness, ensuring a smoother and more controlled driving experience. Ultra-high-performing tires differ from high-performing tires in their speed rating. Traditionally, ultra-high-performance tires have a W or Y speed rating whereas high-performance tires have a V speed rating. Ultra-high-performance tires, such as the Hercules RAPTIS® R-T6 and RAPTIS® R-T6X, can enhance cornering stability, reduce braking distances, and maintain better control in emergencies.

The Hercules RAPTIS-RT6 tire allows you to experience the full potential of your car with cutting-edge technology and engineering to ensure a combination of traction, ride comfort and winter performance without compromising safety.

The Hercules RAPTIS-RT6 tire allows you to experience the full potential of your car with cutting-edge technology and engineering to ensure a combination of traction, ride comfort and winter performance without compromising safety.

Fuel Efficiency

The type and condition of your tires can impact fuel consumption more than you might think. Worn out, or incorrectly-inflated tires can increase rolling resistance, forcing your engine to work harder and consume more fuel. By investing in the right tires and maintaining them properly, you can improve fuel efficiency, saving both money and reducing your environmental footprint.

Comfort and Noise Reduction

Tires contribute to your overall driving comfort. Quality tires are designed to minimize road noise and vibrations, making your journey quieter and more pleasant. Additionally, certain tire types, such as all-season or touring tires, offer a smoother ride, absorbing bumps and imperfections on the road surface. Hercules Tires knows how important a comfortable ride is to your journey and recommends the TERRA TRAC® HPT and ROADTOUR CONNECT® PCV to those looking for a noise-controlled ride.

A close-up of a Hercules Tires Roadtour Connect® PCV tire on the passenger side of a dark gray vehicle with a background of mountains on a gloomy day.

The Hercules Tires Roadtour Connect® PCV tire is a balanced performer and capable of driving in any condition, keeping you better connected to the road. The Hercules Tires Roadtour Connect® PCV tire is available in 39 sizes to fit a variety of passenger and crossover vehicles, including many hybrid and EV platforms.

Longevity and Maintenance

Choosing the right tires isn't solely about initial performance; it's also about long-term durability and maintenance. Investing in high-quality tires may seem like a larger upfront cost, but they often last longer and require less frequent replacement compared to cheaper alternatives. Moreover, regularly checking tire pressure, alignment, and tread wear not only ensures optimal performance but also extends the lifespan of your tires. Hercules Tires offers the TERRA TRAC® CROSS-V and ROADTOUR CONNECT® PCV for those looking for tires with treadwear durability.

Adaptability to Conditions

Different driving conditions demand different types of tires. From summer to winter, wet to dry roads, having the appropriate tires for each season and terrain is crucial. Winter tires, like the Hercules AVALANCHE® RT, TT and XUV, and TERRA TRAC® AT X-VENTURE and AT X-JOURNEY, are designed with deeper treads and special rubber compounds to provide better traction and grip on snow and ice.

Similarly, all-terrain tires, such as the Hercules TERRA TRAC® AT X-JOURNEY, are ideal for off-road adventures. All-terrain tires deliver dependable traction and durability across a wide range of surfaces, from smooth highways to rugged off-road paths, making them a seamless fit for those who frequently encounter varying road conditions, providing them with the confidence and reliability needed to tackle any journey.

A light gray SUV with black side mirrors and roof rails skewed at an angle from the driver's side. It is parked on a dirt road in an open, barren landscape with sparse vegetation in the background and is equipped with Hercules Terra Trac® AT X-Journey tires.

The Hercules TERRA TRAC AT X-JOURNEY is an all-terrain, all-season tire equipped to take you from an average day to your next getaway. Offered in 21 different sizes, the TERRA TRAC AT X-JOURNEY tires enable a quiet, comfortable ride, enhanced wet traction and increased tread life all while providing confident handling on dirt and gravel-strewn terrains.

All-weather tires, like the Hercules TERRA TRAC CROSS-V AW, are engineered to provide reliable traction and stability in diverse weather conditions, including dry, wet, and snowy surfaces. They feature a versatile tread pattern and rubber compound that remain flexible in cold temperatures while maintaining durability and grip in warm conditions. This adaptability ensures that drivers do not need to switch tires seasonally, offering convenience and peace of mind.

A close-up view of Hercules TERRA TRAC CROSS-V AW tire on the driver's side with a scenic background featuring dessert-like conditions.

The Hercules TERRA TRAC CROSS-V AW offers versatility and performance to drivers looking for a premium, all-weather tire with off-road capabilities. The Hercules TERRA TRAC CROSS-V AW tire is engineered for highly responsive handling on any surface, in any season, citywide to countryside, and is available in 39 sizes to fit today’s popular CUV's, SUV's and Light Trucks.

Additionally, off-road tires are designed to tackle a variety of challenging terrains, including mud, sand, rocks, and uneven surfaces, which standard tires cannot handle effectively. Like the TIS UT1 by Hercules, off-road tires are specialized with features such as deeper treads, reinforced sidewalls, and unique rubber compounds that provide enhanced traction, durability, and resistance to punctures. This adaptability ensures that vehicles can maintain grip and stability, reducing the risk of getting stuck or experiencing tire failure in remote areas.

The importance of having the right tires on your vehicle cannot be overstated. From ensuring optimized performance and control to improving fuel efficiency and comfort, tires are the unsung heroes of road performance.


By investing in quality tires and choosing the right type for your driving needs, you not only enhance the driving experience for yourself, your passengers, and others on the road. Visit a Hercules Tire dealer to speak with an expert on which tire is right for your vehicle.

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