Ralph Honda’s Seasonal Tire Guide | Auto Dealer in Rochester

As a resident of Monroe County, you know that our area can be witness to harsh weather throughout the year; from hot, muggy days in the summer to frigid, icy conditions in the winter, it’s imperative you have the right tires on your car so that you can travel as safely as possible. At Ralph Honda, we help drivers with all their service needs, especially when it comes to tires—thus, as your top tire shop near Henrietta, we want to make sure you’re well-versed in the world of tires. Here’s your guide to seasonal tires and other types that you may want to consider so you can make the best decision regarding the quality of your ride.

The last thing you want as you’re rolling down I-90 is trouble with your car, but if you have the wrong type of tires on your vehicle, this is a definite possibility. There are different types of tires meant to take on different road conditions, and if you’re using summer tires in winter or performance tires off-road, you may find that your vehicle isn’t operating as best as it should. Having the wrong tires on your car reduces your vehicle’s performance and affects its efficiency, as it’s working harder to maintain traction with the wrong tires installed. Summer tires are not able to defy the harsh conditions of our roadways after a snowstorm and may struggle to find traction in slippery environments. Not only does this wreak havoc on your vehicle’s performance, but it also sets you up for an unsafe driving situation. The wrong tires mean that you have less control on the road, which can result in an accident, which is why outfitting the right tires for the season is crucial to your safety on the road—not just for yourself and your passengers but for other drivers. Two of the main types of tires we’re going to be focusing on are summer tires and all-season tires—but don’t worry, we’ll touch upon a few other options as well to help you decide which tires will work with your vehicle, depending on the circumstance.

Summers in Henrietta tend to be hot during the day and a bit cooler at night, with the occasional thunderstorm here and there. Because our roads are dryer than they tend to be in the winter (with all its snow and ice), this calls for tires that perform well on tidy pavement. Summer tires showcase fewer grooves compared to winter tires, which allows them to cascade over wet roadways with ease, reducing the risk of hydroplaning. The components in the rubber of these tires are also highly capable of gripping the roadway, even during summertime droughts.

Summer tires are exceptional during the hot summer months, offering plenty of ways to maximize your drive. Less grooving, as we explained above, helps you maintain better contact with the road, even during storms, offering enhanced performance on wet roadways. These tires also allow you to enjoy enhanced agility and cornering capabilities, as well as accurate and firm braking, despite the condition underneath your tires. When you’re driving in warm temperatures, summer tires are ideal, offering you the performance and control you require on wet or dry roadways.

You may think that it doesn’t matter which tires you have on your car, especially since summer tires are great at maneuvering through wet roadways. Wet roadways differ, however, between summer and winter, and when it comes to frigid temperatures, summer tires just don’t hold up. Not only can you lose your grip on the road in icy conditions, but summer tires can also become compromised in cold temperatures below 45 degrees. These low temps cause the rubber compound to become brittle, which can also be a safety issue. For best results, summer tires should only be utilized during the summer months to ensure that you’re traveling safely and your vehicle is operating at its peak.

Many drivers think that all-season tires are capable of offering the same performance in winter as they can in summer; however, this isn’t always the case. All-season tires offer a balanced performance, best enjoyed during mild winter and summer seasons. They can hold up to winter road conditions to an extent, but their performance will decrease as temperatures drop below freezing. With a symmetrical tread pattern, all-season tires provide your vehicle with ample traction in most driving conditions. They’re great at highway driving, which is a plus for many travelers frequently navigating traffic on Route 253, and when it comes to availability, these tires are made for an abundance of makes and models.

Many vehicles are equipped with all-season tires due to the fact that they can stay on your car all year round without having to remove them and store them in favor of another type of tire. They are known to last longer than specialized tires, like summer tires, with rubber compounds that hold up over time. They’re also just as capable of providing a skilled and controlled ride on a sedan as they are on a truck, which makes them highly popular across the industry.

Despite the name, all-season tires are not recommended in areas that tend to experience severe weather conditions. This means heavy snowfall in the winter and excess rain and high temps in the summer. Although they perform optimally during the summer months, summer tires are able to grip the roadway better, making your family trip to Genesee Country more comfortable and safer for all on board. They can also hold their own during winter, but when it comes to ice storms and blizzards, they just can’t hold up to these dangerous conditions.

There are many different types of tires for cars, allowing you to maximize performance no matter what awaits you. Take a look at some of the other tire types that drivers in our area may be interested in…

If you’re searching for tires to help you safely and confidently deliver the kids to school during the winter months, winter tires are your best bet. With additional grooves and a rubber compound that doesn’t harden in below-freezing temperatures, you’re able to maintain traction, even when the road ahead is covered in ice.

You may have a trip planned for a little time on the trails, which calls for tires designed to withstand these challenging elements. These tires showcase a complex and widely spaced tread pattern that can hold up to mud, ruts, rocks, and other elements you find in the wilderness. Their patterns enhance traction, even when the ground beneath you is unruly.

Many drivers who own sports cars look forward to weekend cruises down the highway, which makes performance tires ideal in these situations. Lateral grooves prioritize traction, while larger tread patterns help elevate performance on both wet and dry roadways. If you’re looking for a smooth and responsive ride, performance tires may be right for you.

You may not want to change out your tires depending on the season; however, in areas like ours that experience harsh and diverse weather, you’ll need tires that keep you safe and confident on the road. Remember that each type of tire is designed to perform optimally for a particular circumstance, be that taking on snowy conditions in the winter, harnessing off-roading capabilities, or rolling fine all year long. So, when it comes to traveling through Henrietta and beyond, be sure you have the right tires to stay safe and make the most out of your journeys.