Let’s face it, we all know that the economy is not the best. Everything we buy today has gone up in price, but our wages remain the same. Due to this fact, we have become much more conservative in our spending and have tried to reduce our spending in every possible way. So should we worry if we are buying a cheaper set of tires for our cars?

Well, before we get into too much detail, let’s talk about what tires do. A car’s tires are filled with air and provide a barrier between the car and the road. The tire’s tread also provides traction for braking and cornering, as well as grip when we need it. Tread design and tire compound can drastically change tire performance.

Now that we know what tires do, let’s talk about tire guidelines and safety ratings. The first thing we look at is the load capacity. Each tire must be marked with a load rating such as P for passenger tires or LT for light truck tires, for example. What this means is that the tire meets the requirements to handle that load for the rating it is assigned. The next rating is the speed rating. The lowest rating is L, which is up to 75 mph and is typically found on off-road truck tires. The ratings go up from there. Here is a list of the ratings:

L 75 mph 120 km/h Off-Road and Light Truck Tires
M 81 mph 130 km/h
N 87 mph 140 km/h Temporary spare tires
P 93 mph 150 km/h
Q 99 mph 160 km/h Studded and non-studded winter tires
R 106 mph 170 km/h HD Light Truck Tires
S 112 mph 180 km/h Sedans and family vans
T 118 mph 190 km/h Sedans and family vans
U 124 mph 200 km/h
H 130 mph 210 km/h Sport sedans and coupes
V 149 mph 240 km/h Sports sedans, coupes, and sports cars

Ok, now you have information about what tires do and how they are classified. Remember that tires must be tested and meet the requirements before they can be classified. So, back to the question at hand: can I put cheap tires on my car? The answer is of course you can. You just need to remember to meet the minimum rating required for your vehicle. Most passenger cars, for example, only require basic ratings. While a Ford F-250 as another example requires 10-ply LT tires. You must put the minimum required tire that is on your door tag. So on the Ford truck, for example, you couldn’t put a P-rated or passenger tire.

Inexpensive tires will often suit your needs and perform just as well as more expensive tires. However, with cheap tires you sacrifice a few things, like ride quality for example in some cases. You may also sacrifice tire life. Tires also have mileage ratings. In most cases, all-season or summer tires are typically rated for 40,000 miles. However, this does not mean that you will earn that many miles. It really depends on driving habits and where you live. To be honest, it might be a no-brainer for a lot of people if you have a cheap brand of tire that sells for $75.00 and has a 40,000 mile rating versus an expensive brand that sells for $150.00 and has a 50,000 rating, most people would consider keeping the extra $300.00 for themselves. in your pocket and sacrificing a bit on ride quality and tire wear. It really is a personal decision.