By Dave Neer

Solomon's Garage owner

I get this question all the time. You can look at two tires that are the same size and wonder why one set costs $600 and another costs $1,000. After all, they’re both round and black, right?

Well… sort of.

There is a difference, and it’s not necessarily that the more expensive tire is going to last twice as long. In fact, some premium tires may actually wear out faster than a less expensive tire.

So what are you paying for?

Performance.

A good premium tire will generally give you a quieter, smoother ride, better wet-weather traction, better handling, and better braking performance. They can also maintain their balance and ride quality better as they wear.

And when you really need those things, they matter.

If you have to make an emergency stop or swerve to avoid another vehicle, a tire with better traction and handling may be the difference between stopping safely and hitting something. The same goes for taking a curve on a wet road. If a better tire helps keep you on the pavement and out of the ditch, that extra money starts looking pretty cheap compared to a trip to the body shop.

There can be other advantages, too. Some premium tires are designed with lower rolling resistance, which can help improve fuel economy. You may not notice a huge difference in your gas mileage overnight, but over the life of the tires, those savings can help offset some of the additional upfront cost.

I also want to point out something important: I don't get paid by Michelin, Continental, Bridgestone, or any other tire manufacturer to recommend their tires. I don't have a favorite brand because someone sends me a check.

I recommend the tires I think will make my customers happiest and safest. Michelin, Continental, and Bridgestone are a few brands I have had good experiences with, but the right tire really depends on the vehicle and how you drive it.

And once you've spent the money on a good set of tires, protect that investment. It's industry standard to recommend an alignment when installing new tires to make sure everything is running straight and to help maximize tire life. Regular tire rotations — something that can conveniently be done at many oil changes — also help your tires wear evenly.

So, are expensive tires worth it?

In my opinion, yes—if you're getting better performance that matters to you. You're not necessarily buying more miles. You're buying a better ride, less noise, better handling, better traction and, most importantly, a little more safety when you need it most.

And when it comes to tires, that's one place where I don't mind spending a little more. I'd much rather help you spend a few extra dollars on rubber than have you spend thousands of dollars at the body shop because your tires couldn't do their job when you needed them.

Until next time, keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down!

Sincerely, Dave Neer

Owner of Solomon's Garage located at 122 S Detroit St, West Liberty.

Call (937) 887-0029 to schedule your tire change or visit solomonsgarage.com for more information. ■