Locations in Alabama: 8
First Alabama location opening date: Madison ALN01 | October 4, 2017
Common vehicles: sedans, crossovers, SUVs, pickup trucks, muscle cars
Major regions/cities: Huntsville, Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Hoover, Auburn, Dothan, Decatur, Madison
Road conditions: Fair amount of rough roads with potholes, frequently wet and/or full of debris from storms; congestion and construction in city centers
In the very heart of the South is Alabama, home of college football, peanuts, southern hospitality and beautiful gulf coast beaches. With bustling industries in health care, aerospace, manufacturing and fabrication and mineral extraction, it’s no wonder the roads can get a tad crazy.
The Cotton State also endures a humid subtropical climate with hot summers, mild winters, dousing rain, tropical storms, tornadoes and even light snow in its northern border with the Appalachian Mountains. So it’s safe to say that Alabamans have a lot to contend with when it comes to choosing the right tires for their vehicle.
We’ve asked our experts on the ground for their recommendations on the best car, truck and winter tires for Alabama!
Those potholes got your wheels looking a little shoddy? No problem. Discount Tire offers wheel repair services! And if your wheels are beyond repair, don’t worry. We have the largest inventory of aftermarket wheels at the best prices in the industry!
BEST CAR TIRES FOR ALABAMA
Alabama often triggers thoughts of hot, humid summer days. Although it does have a humid subtropical climate, there is some variation in temperature and weather depending on how far north (or south) you are. The whole state gets more than its fair share of rain, however!
This is why it shouldn’t be a surprise that the most highly recommended tire type in Alabama is the all-season. Thanks to its extreme versatility, the all-season tire has considerable capacities in all the important categories (dry and wet traction, safety and treadwear for a start).
Brendan Martin over at the Prattville, Montgomery Discount Tire store says his customers really like Michelin tires. Specifically, they ask for the Michelin T+H and the Defender 2. The T+H boasts a long tire service life backed by a huge 80k-mile warranty. It also offers class-leading ride comfort and robust all-season traction. The T+H is still available in some 15-inch diameter sizes.
The Defender 2 is Michelin’s new iteration of the T+H, and it has quickly become a customer favorite. Also with a robust 80k-mile warranty, it scores top marks in all categories. This performance and touring all-season has enhanced tire tread life, surefooted grip in any weather and a quiet, smooth ride—plus, it’s available in a huge range of sizes.
When looking for a middle of the road tire with matching price point, Brendan directs them to the Continental Pro Contact. Styled as a touring tire with performance and all-season features, it balances both luxury and capability. In addition to having low rolling resistance (so you spend less time and money at the pump), its steering, handling and traction are nothing to sneeze at. His customers also enjoy the reassurance of a 40 to 80,000-mile warranty in their back pocket, too.
Chris McCorkle at the Eastern Boulevard, Montgomery Discount Tire also suggests the Yokohama YK-GTX a premium tire at an affordable price. With a 70k-mile warranty and a smooth drive, the YK-GTX utilizes ELS Oil Compound to maintain pliability across a wide range of temps, making it a great option for interstate travel and all-season utility.
Chris’s customers over in the Montgomery shop primarily around their budget, aiming to get as many safety and weather features as possible (particularly wet traction). For a tire that won’t break your bank while giving you the all-season traction you need, he suggests the Arizonian Silver Edition All Season. It delivers affordable year-round performance with dependable capabilities in adverse weather, as well as a comfortable highway ride and a 60k-mile warranty. This all-season tire comes with all the bells and whistles, just not the price tag!
Both Chris and Brendan like the Sentury Touring for the budget buyer. Its 40k-mile warranty, dependable longevity and all-season performance make it a go-to option for those looking for a good value.
Garrett Askin over at the Cahaba River Road Birmingham, AL Discount Tire store suggests the Road Hugger GTP AS/02 for those wanting to stretch their budget. With its snappy steering, long expected tire service life, 60k-mile warranty, improved treadwear and host of wet weather features, it’s a great buy.
Both Garrett and Brendan recommend the Michelin Defender LTX M/S for your crossover or SUV. Part of the iconic and dependable Defender family, this light truck tire is perfectly suited to deliver outstanding traction, durability and long-lived service and performance for your larger vehicle. It also carries a robust 50 to 70k-mile warranty to really seal the deal!
Got an electric vehicle? Garrett’s store gets its fair share of Tesla customers and they outright prefer the Pirelli P Zero AS Plus Elect. This performance all-season option is a Discount Tire exclusive that has the strength to stand up to your EV’s torque while offering ultra-high performance features, longevity and efficiency. Want increased battery range? This tire is for you. Engineered specifically for getting the most miles possible, this low rolling resistance tire also has no problem tackling inclement weather without compromising on comfort and steering response.
BEST TRUCK TIRES FOR ALABAMA
According to Chris, all trucks that come through his shop never keep their OE tires. His customers want to change their tires up. By far, the most commonly requested truck tire in Alabama is an all-terrain tire.
Alabamans use their trucks for a good mix of work, hobby and commute. Many truck owners love the aggressive look of the all-terrain tread, so they prefer them to a highway terrain tire, which is more suitable for general street driving. They also want on and off-road traction and stability at hand.
The most frequently recommended all-terrain truck tire for Alabamans? The BFGoodrich All Terrain TA KO2.This enthusiast favorite comes packed with all-terrain and all-weather features and is renowned for its rugged, off-road proficiency. The KO2 includes a three peak mountain snowflake severe weather rating. It also features BFG’s signature Serrated Shoulder Design for excellent grip in mud, snow and rocks (especially when aired down). Need more? The KO2 also comes with a generous 50k-mile warranty, too!
Garrett over in Birmingham likes the Nitto Ridge Grappler and the Nitto Recon Grappler A/T. The Nitto Ridge Grappler is a top contender with the KO2, as it also offers some performance-based features for on-and-off-road applications. Its hybrid design will keep you comfortable on the pavement while helping you go toe to toe with even the harshest of off-road terrains. And the best part is its iconic, eye-catching tread pattern.
The Recon Grappler A/T pushes previously established boundaries of performance, aesthetics and handling. Customers love the 55k-mile warranty, reduced noise level, wet and dry traction and all-terrain tread pattern. It also comes in a huge spectrum of the most popular truck and 4x4 sizes.
According to Brendan at the Prattville Discount Tire store: “I run Nittos on my vehicle. I recommend those to everybody because from what I see, customers get more money out of their tires because they last longer than the KO2s.” He points out that your mileage may vary depending on your terrain and which Nitto you choose (Terra Grappler, Grappler, the Recon and so on).
Chris from the Eastern Boulevard Discount Tire store in Montgomery does note that the Nitto Grappler’s tend to be more expensive than the BFG KO2. But if it’s a deal you’re looking for, he recommends the Pathfinder AT. This Discount Tire exclusive is a wallet-friendly all-terrain tire with competent off-road handling and traction. You’d swear it couldn’t possibly be a budget tire! And with its lengthy 55k-mile warranty, precise steering, smooth ride and all-season grip, it’s easy to see why it’s a go-to favorite!
If you don’t drive your truck off-road much and want tires that’re perfect for the highway (come rain or shine), we recommend all-season highway tires for your truck in Alabama.
A great benefit to this tire category is they’re often more affordable than all-terrain tires because they don’t need all the fancy off-road bells and whistles!
Chris’s customers can’t get enough of the Uniroyal Tiger Paw. Backed with a huge 65 to 75k-mile warranty and long-lasting performance at an affordable price point, it’s easy to see why it’s a customer favorite. Also, it’s offered in a gigantic range of sizes for coupes, sedans, crossovers, SUVs and trucks!
For a name brand that instills a lot of trust, Brendan recommends the Michelin LTX M/S for your truck or SUV (or even your CUV!). With Michelin's Evertread rubber compound that resists uneven wear, this tire will last mile after mile. It’s purpose-built to provide grip when the weather turns foul, even in rain and light snow. With shorter braking distances, agile handling and a comfortable drive, you’ll never want to run another set of tires on your rig. Oh, did we mention its impressive 50 to70k-mile warranty?
But if you’re budget bound, don’t worry. Brendan steers his Alabama truck customers to the Corsa Highway Terrain Plus. This value all-season tire delivers long-lasting durability and traction for your light truck or commercial vehicle. Its symmetrical tread design means tire maintenance is a breeze. Backed with a 40,000-mile warranty, sturdy construction and wet and dry traction, it’s an excellent economical option.
The Pathfinder HT is, like its cousin the AT, a Discount Tire exclusive (and customer favorite). It’s frequently sold at Garrett’s store in Birmingham, AL due to its generous 40 to 60,000-mile warranty, dependable all-season capability and responsive handling and stability. If you need to tow, the Pathfinder HT’s extra durable build makes hauling a breeze! Also, it’s a fine looking tire with raised white lettering on a black sidewall that adds an attractive, high-end touch.
DO I NEED SNOW TIRES IN ALABAMA?
No, you generally won’t need snow tires in Alabama. Most drivers in Alabama should be fine with just all-season or all-weather tires for their winter season.
With the hot and sultry summers in the past, it’s time to consider the cooler months. Although it does get below freezing occasionally, Alabama’s mild winters have most tire customers leaning on their all-seasons. If you do, make sure your all-season tires have excellent wet traction, because the rain never stops in the Cotton State.
Chris says that his store in Montgomery recommends all-seasons unless you’re an enthusiast who will be out in the wilderness. Brendan in Prattville agrees.
However, if you live in the northern part of the state near the mountains or tend to travel up north frequently in the winter time, Garrett at the Birmingham store recommends all-weather tires that can stand up to the more extreme temperatures.
Specifically, he recommends the Michelin CrossClimate2 for its severe weather rating and temperature adaptive properties. With its piano noise reduction system and thorough siping, you can handle dry, wet or light snowy conditions comfortably (and peacefully).
If you’re feeling overwhelmed with too many good options, try Treadwell. It’s our smart tire buying guide that is designed to help you find the right tire based on your unique driving needs.
“Our sole concern at Discount Tire is for you to leave safer than when you came in. We’re going to do everything in our power to see you leave happy and safe. That’s our biggest thing!” —Garret Askin, Birmingham, AL Discount Tire senior assistant store manager
If you have other questions or want to upgrade your wheels or tires, just give us a ring, drop by or make an appointment online! Customers who buy and book online first wait less time in-store!
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