Ever wonder why your car has a certain brand of tires on it? Have you also wanted to know why your new car rids so well? Well buckle up, you are about to learn today.
Follow us today...
There you are, sitting in the potential new car you have been eyeing for weeks, months, or maybe even years. It is everything you dreamed. It smells fresh, it is quiet (or loud depending on what you are into), and overall it drives elegant.
It is no wonder you want it; everything about the experience is intoxicating to your senses. Out on the test drive, you can feel the road connect with you through the steering wheel. The car hugs the curves, and as you crack the throttle open, you feel a burst of excitement rush through your veins. You decide you want it and head back to the dealership.
The experience I have just described is not uncommon. Large car manufacturers know what will tickle your senses. They have honed in on you and found a way to market that new car, tempting you into buying it.
Have you ever wondered what makes a new car so darn tempting? Many factors go into marketing and getting you to buy, but there is one thing that most consumers do not realize. Where the rubber meets the road is where it counts.
If you have ever wondered about tires and your new car, it is time to learn. Take a look at what the dealer does not tell you about your vehicle when you buy it.
The OE Tires Are Meant For Your Driving Experience
Do you know what sells a car? The way the person behind the steering wheel feels when they get out on the road. Comfort or performance is what the consumer will feel when they get in and start driving.
One of the ways the car makers have found to enhance the driving experience is through the tires. Believe it; carmakers put tires on your new car that are softer to give you a smoother ride. The softer tire compound allows for a tight, crisp drive that feels like you are the king (or queen) of the road.
There is nothing wrong with this, but most people do not know it. They only know how they feel when they drive a new car.
There is; however, an issue having a car with softer tires. They can wear out much faster than you want them to. That is something that you did not sign up for buying a new car.
So why would car makers put on tires that wear out so soon? Is that not a lousy business? Not necessarily; it is marketing. So, how do carmakers choose what to put on your new car? Keep reading.
How Do Car Manufacturers Decide On What Tires Go On Your Car?
Many consumers are not aware of how did they end up with the tires on their car. Were they Michelin, Hankook, or Yokohama? How did Toyota, GM, or Ford decide those tire brands were the right ones? Why did you not have a choice in the matter?
It all comes down to one thing, price.
Think of it like this. If you had to buy millions of tires every year, would you not want to find the absolute best deal? Of course, if you were purchasing a million tires at $50 a tire, that is 50 million dollars. So what if you could buy a comparable tire for $45 a tire? Do you think a savings of 5 million dollars is worth it? Yeah, you and the carmakers both do.
It does not matter who built your car; there is always someone who works at the corporate level that is still negotiating a better deal. So depending on that deal, you could end up with Yokohama, Michelin, Cooper, BFG, or something else.
Again, nothing wrong here, but most people are not aware that is one of the main reasons tire brands are selected for your new car.
Conclusion
Car manufacturers are in the business of selling cars to make money. They know how to market a vehicle to you and sell you on the experience. There is nothing wrong with it; every car maker does it; you probably are not aware of it, is all.
Something to consider next time you are in the market for a new car is to take a look at the tires. If they are not the ones you want, see if the dealer will get you new ones as part of the deal. It never hurts to negotiate and get yourself into a longer-lasting tire.
I hope you all have a great week and enjoy your Turkey (if that is what you are doing). I will see you in the next story.
Take a look at how Ford thinks they the ONLY car maker to do anything with the environment.
Check out this wild new battery tech that Tesla has and why it will forever change the auto industry.
Peter Neilson is an automotive consultant specializing in electric cars and hybrid battery technologies. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Automotive Service Technology from Weber State University. Peter can be reached on Linkedin and you can tweet him at The_hybrid_guy on Twitter. Find his page on Facebook at Certified Auto Consulting. Read more of Peter's stories at Toyota news coverage on Torque News. Search Toyota Prius Torque News for more in depth Prius coverage from our reporters.
Follow us today...
I always try and negotiate
I always try and negotiate credit for the factory tires during the purchase of the car and then go buy good retail tires for better all season performance as well as a better warranty for flat repair and tire replacement. The dealer isn’t the place to get a flat repaired on a moment’s notice. If you’re lucky it might be a week to get in and have them “look at it”.
Your article about OEM tires
Your article about OEM tires did not mention another axis: For high mileage cars, like the Toyota Prius, manufacturers select low rolling resistance tires. These tires yield higher mpg estimates, but often at a cost of harsh ride, poor grip [turning and braking] and longevity.
Absolutely! At least now
Absolutely! At least now tire manufacturers have specific "ratings" or "models" for low rolling resistance, for the 10 years I had a 2001 Prius there was nothing like that (OK, maybe a couple brands that were horribly performing) and I tried all sorts of tires to balance the mileage and tire performance. I remember one set of tires that took the mileage from 50 to 30. That car had about 360,000 miles on it when I finally traded it in, and it still had the original brake pads. Best automotive investment I ever made.
Absolutely car manufacturers
Absolutely car manufacturers chose the cheapest tires even on a $60,000+ car. I always did my home work and threw the OEM tires out and buy the best tires at any cost.
I have a 2021 Bronco Sport
I have a 2021 Bronco Sport with 14k miles and worn out tires. At 6k had a sidewall fail and was told there was no warranty. Have since patched 3 of the other tires. I wish I had been informed of this practice before I purchased and would think the dealers would be opening up themselves to law suits as safety issue
I found out for the first
I found out for the first time about OEM tires that don't last long. My 2021 Corolla had a slow leak in one tire. The guy at Discount tire repaired it for no cost. It was a small screw near the center of the tread. The car has 4000 miles on it. I am retired and don't drive a lot. The tires only have 7/32nds of tread on them. I assume Yokohama made Toyota some lower cost tires with less tread than they put on most of their new tires sold at tire stores. I would expect at least 10/32nds of tread after 4000 miles. I was told they might last 35,000 miles. I already let Toyota know what I think. They are trying to pawn it off on the tire manufacturer, instead of just telling the truth. Just put good tires on the cars for 200 dollars extra and stop with the aftermarket garbage like double price running boards, mud flaps, and 400 dollar floor mats. 1700 for parking assist is normal on Toyota cars too. I told them they don't have the market cornered on reliable cars. I have about made up my mind to go with Honda next time and negotiate the tires off the car for new tires from Discount tire. They can sell the takeoffs and put on new tires for about 300 dollars. Take that off the markup on their 699 dollar two extra oil change extended service adder. That or the mud flaps or floormat mark up.
I bought a new Ranger in…
I bought a new Ranger in 2008. It had Continental Contitrack tires on it and they lasted for 100,000 miles. They'd have gone another 5K but I thought that was enough. I kept the tires at about 3 psi over door sticker value and I rotated them every 5K and kept them aligned. I bought a new Ram 1500 in 2019, treated them the same way and got 85,000 miles out of them. Tires on new vehicles are no different than the ones you buy to replace OEM.