Some of us Washington DC motorists just love tires. All those little rubber hairs on new tires and the smell is wonderful. No matter how you drive between Washington DC and the DC metro area, where you want to go or the look you’re after, there is a tire for you.
The same is true about wheels. The hardest part for Washington DC car owners is choosing from the thousands of wheels available at DC tire shops.
The team at Metro Motor may not be able to help with that, but we can help you get some things in mind before you consult with your Washington DC tire professional. Let’s start with function and think about how you drive.
What are your driving needs?
For example, maybe you have a large SUV but you don’t drive off-road around Washington DC, so an off-road tread isn’t important. Also, because you are not out bouncing over rocks in the DC backcountry, you don’t need a high profile tire to protect your rims. So that means you can probably go with the low-wide look.
If you have a winter season with rain and snow or if you find you need better ice and snow performance, they make great, high-performance snow tires that won’t make it look like you are driving a tractor.
There really are a lot of options for any given vehicle. Washington DC motorists will find it very helpful to have a discussion like this with their Washington DC tire pro or the tire experts at Metro Motor when they need new tires. You can find the best solutions for your driving needs and to make improvements in ride or handling.
Want to upsize?
Picking a wheel that is the same size as what you are now running is important and pretty simple. But, it gets trickier if you want to upsize. Just get some help when you go bigger. All that tire and wheel still needs to fit in the available space. You do not want your tires to rub when you turn or hit a bump. Washington DC car owners also need to make sure their brakes and suspension bits will fit with their wheel of choice. It doesn’t matter how great your car looks if it’s not drivable.
Taller, wider wheels and tires probably weigh more than your stock shoes. And it’s “unsprung” weight – that has a big impact on brake performance. The upsized shoes increase rotational inertia – if you go too big you may need to upgrade your brakes to compensate.
Another possible problem is an inaccurate speedometer. This happens because the number of rotations can change with the new wheels. Fortunately, speedometers and odometers are all controlled by the engine computer; so it is simple to get it reprogrammed at Metro Motor to compensate for the bigger tires.
No matter what you are after: low cost, long life, high performance, traction or stunning good looks, your wheel and tire professional at Metro Motor in Washington DC can help you identify your needs and give you a custom fit. With all the options available, you don’t have to compromise. There is a tire out there with your name on it!
Vehicle care information made available by Metro Motor is presented as helpful advice for general maintenance and should not be construed as instructions for at-home vehicle service. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual and a licensed, professional mechanic for diagnostics and repair.