The product: Tires.
The expert: Kyle Petty, third-generation member of the legendary NASCAR racing family.
What I want: Tires are the only things that protect me from the road, so getting a good-quality one that’s right for my specific make and model is important.
I must have: A tire that handles the weather and wears well. I look for a multipurpose tire. I want one that goes decent in slush and is really good in rain.
One thing I hate: Don’t fall for some profiled tire with tricked-out sidewalls or other gimmick.
Savvy shopper: It’s not about the best-looking tire, it’s about getting the best-fitting tire. For a sports car, get one with a lot of lateral grip that performs well in the rain. And for a mini-van, one that can handle towing and is more all-weather durable.
My pick: A performance tire provides traction in wet and dry conditions. For errands and getting around at the track, I drive a Dodge Caravan, so I look for a good touring tire, which makes up in wear what it sacrifices in traction [Eagle LS touring radial, $138]. [Goodyear provides tires to NASCAR, but Petty has no endorsement or sponsorship relationship with the company.]
Next best thing: There are less-expensive performance tires. Any local dealer will tell you what you need for your car.
