Types of Tires
There are different tires built for different reasons and different seasons. Choosing the right tires for your car starts with determining which type of tire is best for your climate and driving style.
All-season tires
All-season tires are just as the name suggests — great for all seasons. All-season tires are usually engineered with rubber compounds that withstand both hot and cold temperatures, though they may not have peak performance in extreme hot or cold climates.
All-season tread is typically designed to evacuate water to help reduce hydroplaning and help maintain grip on slick, wet, or even wintery roads. The tread pattern is symmetrical — meaning the tires can be rotated and fitted in either direction since the pattern is the same. This allows more tire rotation patterns and can help your all-season tires last longer.
All-season tires can be good for different seasons and types of weather, but they may not be ideal for extremes. If you live in an area with extreme winters or summers, it may be better to switch your tires to summer or winter tires according to the climate.
Seasonal tires
Seasonal tires include summer and winter tires. These tires are engineered to excel in their respective climates, i.e. summer tires for summer and winter tires for winter.
Winter Tires
Winter tires have a rubber compound that stays softer in colder temperatures to allow for better road grip. The rubber on non-winter tires can become stiff in colder temperatures, which can decrease handling and the tires grip on the road.
Additionally, winter tires typically have deeper tread to help maintain traction in snowy or icy conditions. Knowing how to choose a winter tire depends on the severity of winter in your area and what make and model vehicle you drive.
Summer Tires
Summer tires, also called performance tires, are designed exclusively for warm weather. The rubber compound on a summer tire is engineered to stay firm in extreme heat to help ensure traction and handling on hot, hot pavement.
Summer tires typically have shallower grooves and a directional or asymmetrical tread pattern to help provide better wet and dry traction. Summer tires are designed for performance vehicles and may not be available for your model. Consider performance tires for INFINITI models such as the Q50 or Q60.
Summer and winter tires perform their best in their respective seasons and shouldnt be used outside of the season they were designed for. Driving with winter tires in the summer or vice versa can cause a loss of traction, poor handling and cornering, and a less-than-optimal driving experience overall.
All-terrain tires
All-terrain tires are designed to give you a smoother ride off-road. With deeper and wider tread patterns and stiff, chip-resistant rubber compounds, all-terrain tires are ideal if you enjoy taking the road less traveled.
While all-terrain tires excel in off-road conditions compared to other tires, they arent the most ideal choice for frequent driving. The thick tread pattern and stiff sidewalls can cause a noisier ride and lower fuel efficiency when driving on the highway.
How to Choose the Right INFINITI Tires
When choosing the right tire for your INFINITI, consider factors such as where you live, where you drive, and what you drive. Are there rough, snowy winters in your area? Do you like to stick to the highway or venture off-road? Do you drive a sporty Q60 coupe or a more spacious QX80 SUV? Taking these factors into consideration, here are a few general recommendations based on your type of INFINITI.
Taking these factors into consideration, here are a few general recommendations based on your type of INFINITI
Tires for your INFINITI SUV
When choosing tires for your SUV, there are a couple choices. Many all-terrain and most all-season tires are rated for SUVs. While all-terrain tires are the optimal choice for the off-road enthusiast, most drivers can benefit from a quality all-season tire. Equip an LT or SUV-rated all-season tire for additional support on rugged terrain without sacrificing driveability.
If you happen to live in an area with extreme winters, it could be beneficial to consider installing a winter tire on your SUV. The larger the vehicle, the more difficult it is to stop it, especially in slick, wintery weather. Winter tires can increase traction for your INFINITI SUV, helping to provide a better cold-weather driving experience.
Tires for your INFINITI crossover
Your INFINITI crossover is designed with versatility in mind, and its only fitting to have a tire with as much versatility. The key to getting the most out of your crossover utility vehicle is picking a tire that combines performance and reliability. Consider an all-season performance touring tire for your CUV for year-round reliability with enhanced handling and road performance with a long tread life.
Tires for your INFINITI sedan
You depend on your INFINITI sedan for reliable highway and city driving, and its only fitting that your tires are just as reliable. Equip your sedan with a grand touring all-season tire to get year-round reliability with optimal wet and dry performance, improved high-speed handling and stability, and a more all-around luxurious driving experience.
Tires for your INFINITI coupe
Your INFINITI coupe is designed for a sportier driving experience, which makes having a high-performance tire essential to get the most from your vehicle. During the warmer months, consider keeping high-performance tires on your INFINITI coupe for superior wet and dry traction, optimal handling, improved cornering, and a smooth and comfortable ride.
Remember that many high-performance tires are rated for warmer weather. If you live in an area with colder winters, it may be better to go with a high-performance all-season tire for year-round performance.
Equip Your INFINITI With the Right Tire
The right tires can elevate your INFINITI driving experience and give you the ideal ride youve been dreaming about! Stop by an INFINITI tire service center near you to talk to our tire experts about how to choose the tire size and type for your INFINITI model and get the right tires installed on your vehicle. And while youre at it, protect your new tire investment with tire care accessories from genuine INFINITI Parts & Accessories.