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Tire types, snow ratings, load and speed ratings, and what to check before you buy
All-season tires are built for dry roads, rain, and light snow. Their rubber stiffens in the cold, so grip drops off below about 45°F (7°C), and they are not a substitute for winter tires where snow and ice are common. All-weather tires are all-season tires that also earn the 3PMSF snow rating, so they can stay on year-round in places with regular but moderate snow. Winter tires use the softest rubber and the most siping (small slits in the tread) for the best grip on snow, ice, and cold pavement. They wear quickly in warm weather, so most drivers swap them off in spring.
M+S (Mud and Snow) is based only on the tread design: the grooves and open spaces meet a set measurement. No traction test is required, and most all-season tires carry it. 3PMSF (the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol) means the tire passed a standardized snow traction test, accelerating on packed snow at least 10% better than a reference tire. If you drive in real winter conditions, look for 3PMSF. Neither mark tests grip on ice, and some regions, such as Quebec, require 3PMSF tires in winter.
Show 3PMSF tires only →The load index is the number in the service description after the size, such as the 102 in 102H. It stands for the maximum weight each tire can carry at its rated pressure: 102 means 1,874 lbs per tire. SL (Standard Load) tires are the default for most cars. XL (Extra Load) tires carry more weight at a higher inflation pressure and are common on heavier crossovers and EVs. LT (Light Truck) tires use load ranges such as C, D, and E, are built for towing and hauling, and ride firmer. Never choose a tire with a lower load capacity than the placard on your driver’s door jamb calls for.
The letter after the load index is the highest sustained speed the tire is rated for. Common ratings are S (112 mph), T (118 mph), H (130 mph), V (149 mph), W (168 mph), and Y (186 mph). Higher ratings usually mean sharper handling but can mean a firmer ride and shorter tread life. Match or exceed your vehicle’s original rating. The usual exception is winter tires, which many automakers allow at a lower speed rating as long as you stay under that speed.
UTQG is a U.S. government grading system printed on the sidewall. Treadwear compares wear to a reference tire graded 100, so a 600 should outlast a 300, but each manufacturer grades its own tires, so it is most reliable when comparing tires within the same brand. Traction (AA, A, B, or C) measures straight-line braking on wet pavement, with AA the best. Temperature (A, B, or C) measures how well the tire resists heat buildup at high speed, with A the best. Winter tires, light truck tires, and some deep-tread tires are exempt from UTQG, which is why some tires here show no grades.
A treadwear warranty promises a minimum number of miles before the tread wears out, and it is a useful sign of how long the manufacturer expects the tire to last. Claims are usually prorated, so you get a partial credit toward new tires rather than a free set. Most also require proof of regular rotations and correct inflation. Performance tires and staggered setups often have shorter warranties or none at all.
Run-flat tires have stiff sidewalls that let you keep driving after a puncture, typically up to about 50 miles at up to 50 mph, so you can reach a shop instead of changing a tire on the roadside. The tradeoffs are a firmer ride, higher prices, and fewer choices. Vehicles that come with run-flats often have no spare tire, so switching to regular tires usually means carrying a spare or repair kit. Run-flats require a tire pressure monitoring system and should not be mixed with regular tires on the same vehicle.
EVs are heavier than similar gas vehicles and deliver torque instantly, which wears tires faster. Tires designed for EVs typically carry XL load ratings, use low rolling resistance compounds to protect range, and sometimes add foam liners to cut road noise, which is more noticeable without an engine. Any tire that meets your EV’s size, load, and speed requirements is safe to use, but a non-EV tire may cost you some range and quietness.
Show EV-ready tires →The last four digits of the DOT code on the sidewall show when the tire was made: 2324 means the 23rd week of 2024. Rubber hardens with age even when a tire is barely used. Many automakers recommend replacing tires after 6 years, and most tire makers set 10 years as the outside limit regardless of tread depth. Check the date when buying, since tires can sit in a warehouse before they are sold.
Most U.S. states set the legal minimum tread depth at 2/32 of an inch, the point where the tread is level with the wear bars molded into the grooves. Wet braking gets noticeably worse well before that, so many experts suggest replacing at 4/32 if you drive in rain, and around 5/32 to 6/32 for snow. For a quick check, put a quarter upside down in the tread: if you can see the top of Washington’s head, you have less than 4/32 left.