Tires for cars and SUVs.(Buyers Guide)(Cover Story)

The tread separations, injuries, and deaths that triggered last year's 6.5-million Firestone tire recall confirm just how much is riding on four pieces of rubber. Ford has since announced it is replacing 13 million more Firestone tires on its SUVs and pickups, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been investigating some 50 million Firestones that weren't included in last year's recall. NHTSA is also looking into some General Ameri*550AS truck tires with high failure rates (see "Front Lines," page 8).

While we can't can predict defects that emerge over a tire's life, we can steer you toward tires that excelled in our performance tests. The Ratings on pages 63 through 65 cover 52 models, our largest tire report ever. Our judgments apply to sizes that fit many cars, SUVs, and pickups. We also note tires that did especially well on dry, wet, or snowy surfaces so you can pick the ones that suit your driving conditions.

Our performance tests for braking, handling, and traction put some of this year's least expensive models near the top of the Ratings. Whichever tires you buy, knowing how they perform will make a smart choice easier. Here's what to think about--and how to keep your tires as safe as possible:

For cars. Most car-tire buyers want long tread life and all-weather traction at a reasonable price. Those preferences help explain why the all-season car tires we focus on in the report on page 64 are the best-selling replacements. Most are designed to perform reasonably well under a variety of conditions, with an emphasis on longevity.

Though most all-season tires are a compromise, this broad category includes many with strengths in certain areas. You'll also find some notable differences in price and tread-wear warranty; the tires we tested range from $33 models with 40,000- to 50,000-mile warranties to $85 models covered for up to 100,000 miles. Still other types of car tires are geared for specific driving needs. Choices include:

Performance tires. These usually sacrifice ride and winter performance for ultimate grip. A good choice for sporty cars, they tend to have stickier tread and firmer sidewalls that help them stop shorter and hang on longer during hard cornering. They also tend to be expensive (about $70 to $120).

Touring tires. These combine some of the all-weather and sporty characteristics of all-season and performance tires. They also bridge the gap in price (about $60 to $80).