With all of the different tires and sizes, heat ranges and speed ratings and on and on, it's easy to get confused. Let's lay down some simple rules:

 

 1, Don't buy it if you never heard of it before. 2, If you're not sure what you're looking for, don't trust just anyone to tell you what you want. 3, Please do your research. 4, Price isn't everything. Be ready and never be afraid to ask questions. The only stupid question is the one you never ask. Now let's talk about why. 1, National chains sell more Chinese made tires than all others combined. Why? Much higher profit, and people tend to buy cheap. These no-name tires are cheap and they usually don't last. That's why you have to buy tires every year, or every other year. 2, People tend to buy what the salesman sells them because they are not sure what to get. That is the basis of training for most big tire chains. That young kid has very little if any experience in the auto service business and is usually poorly qualified to help you find the best value for your money. 3, Spend a little time on the net comparing different tires and pricing. Although it's nearly impossible to get the internet price and real prices to match, you can usually get fairly close. Buy from someone that makes you feel comfortable when your questions are being answered. Also, don't buy from a store that can't help you do maintenance and repairs to help those tires last, that way you can stop the tire store from blaming repairs or maintenance for premature tire life. Please align your car's front end when buying tires and once a year in between. Always rotate your tires every other oil change. Follow these rules and you will get the most your tires have to offer.