For some, ridesharing is a full time gig. And like any business, prep and maintenance are a requirement for success.
As you can imagine, ferrying humans across the grid takes a toll on your vehicle. In particular, we mean your tires.
(And even if you aren't driving for an app and just want to find the longest lasting tires possible, keep reading!)
Tires are our business, and we have some tips and tire recommendations to keep you, your vehicle (and passengers) as safe as possible.
RIDESHARE MAINTENANCE & SAFETY
No matter who, what, where or why you're driving: safety should be your number one priority.
And of course drivers with a clean, well maintained ride will keep earning five star reviews.
You should keep your rideshare vehicle in tip-top shape by staying up to date with yearly mechanical inspections per your local laws and any rules for your rideshare company. Well maintained vehicles provide a safe, quiet and comfortable ride for your passengers.
Your wheels and tires need the same TLC that you (should) give your brakes and oil. Before you log onto your app (or even just take a drive):
Check your tire pressure to help avoid blowouts or flats while out on the road
Keep up to date on daily weather conditions (and make sure your tires are up to snuff)
Rotate your tires every 6,000 miles to ensure even wear (to extend tread life)
Monitor your tire's health and tread so you can stay ahead of potential failures or issues with braking. We offer free air checks and tire inspections!
Don't fall victim to tire safety myths: we encourage you to check out our page all about tire safety practices!
Keeping your wheels and tires clean and well maintained is always appreciated by passengers while also keeping your wheels, tires and brakes free from rust and other harmful bits from the road.
LONGEST LASTING TIRES
Rideshare drivers tend to put more miles than your typical commuter, so they will likely need to replace tires sooner than expected (or perhaps more frequently, if you're full time).
(Do you know how long tires last?)
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a set of replacement tires for your rideshare vehicle.
We recommend considering the OE (original equipment) tires that came with your vehicle first. They are a safe bet because your vehicle manufacturer specifically chose them to work best with your vehicle model and trim.
If you wish to try something different, we recommend looking for:
Long lasting tread (to get the most value out of your tires)
Good all-season capabilities and traction
Smooth ride (passenger comfort)
Good fuel economy
All-season tires should provide the right degree of performance for most of the United States. However, if your region experiences a true winter with temperatures consistently below 45F Discount Tire recommends switching to designated winter tires during the chilly season.
We've compiled a list of our favorite tires that make for excellent rideshare tire options, principally because of their long expected treadlife. These are also excellent options even if you aren't a rideshare driver!
Goodyear Assurance Maxlife
First up is the Goodyear Assurance MaxLife, a touring and performance tire with an all-season tread and a robust 85,000-mile warranty.
Like it's name suggests, the MaxLife is Goodyear's longest lasting tire thanks to its special TredLife™ tech, which not only boosts its wear performance but also improves traction, too. It also comes in a huge range of fitments to fit your sedan, crossover or SUV.
You can expect confident wet and dry handling, mile after mile and season after season. Four circumferential grooves channel water away from the tire's contact patch for optimal surface contact (read: better traction). Ample siping also gives hundreds of biting edges for both wet and dry roads.
This is an excellent option for driver's looking to get as much as possible out of their tires year round.
Sentury Touring
Looking for a good value? You don't have to sacrifice performance, traction or tread life with a lower budget.
The Sentury Touring offers the all-season performance you want for the value you need. Plus, a specialized tread compound and computer optimized tread pattern yields a long-lasting tire that you can depend on for miles to come. Customers like to note this tire's longevity and great price!
The all-season tread stays flexible across a wide range of temperatures, allowing your tire's tread elements (like lateral grooves and siping for light winter work) to do their job no matter the season.
Another rideshare bonus? The pitch-optimized tread pattern helps cancel out road noise so your passengers (and you) can enjoy a nice, quiet and comfortable ride.
This tire includes a 40,000-mile warranty.
Michelin CrossClimate2
Next we have the heavy hitting Michelin CrossClimate2, an all-weather tire that not only checks all the boxes but constantly exceeds customer expectations.
All-weather tires are an upcoming category of tire; think of them as an all-season on steroids. They provide extended performance in an even greater range of temperatures; depending on your region, you may never need another type of tire!
Naturally, the CrossClimate2 comes with a three-peak mountain snowflake severe weather designation!
This tire is loaded with souped up all-season features like 3-D SipeLock and Thermal Adaptive Tread Compound to handle wet, dry and light snowy weather. Our customers report that they're pleased with how long it lasts, too.
Your passengers (whether for personal or rideshare) will enjoy a smooth, quiet ride thanks to its PIANO noise reduction tuning system. And many vehicles can enjoy this tire thanks to its huge list of available sizes for sedans, crossovers and small SUVs.
Did we mention it has a considerable 60k mile warranty to back it up?
CONTINENTAL CONTROL CONTACT SPORT SRS+
Another of our favorite long-lived picks is the Continental Control Contact Sport SRS+, an all-season ultra-high performance tire with a handy 50k-mile warranty.
This is a super quiet, comfortable tire aimed at premium SUVs or luxury sedans. The SRS+ combines the best all-season features with UHP qualities to give you a thrilling but approachable ride. The +Silane tread compound offers reliable traction and flexibility across a wide range of temperatures and road conditions, including wet, dry and light snow.
A two-ply reinforced sidewall construction also makes this sturdy tire more agile on its feet than its predecessor.
Customers laud its super quiet nature, impressive long tread life and sporty handling. Both you and your passengers will certainly notice a difference!
Are none of these quite what you're looking for? Want some more suggestions? Check out Treadwell, our easy online tire selection tool, to help find personalized choices of tires for your vehicle. In less than a minute, we'll pair you with the best tires for you, your vehicle and your budget.
MAKING YOUR TIRES LAST
We understand that life throws you lemons sometimes. For peace of mind, we recommend our Certificates, a cost-effective guarantee for tire repair, refund or replacement. Our Certs cover your tires down to 3/32" of tread. There's no limit to the amount of time or miles that they cover, either!
Quick and knowledgeable repair and/or replacement service helps keep your tires lasting longer so you get the most out of your purchase.
Rideshare drivers are on the road more often and are exposed more frequently to road hazards than the average driver. It's a huge relief knowing that we've got you taken care of when things go sideways.
Regular drivers can and should take advantage of our Certificates too!
LET US HELP PREPARE YOUR RIDE TO SHARE
Like your rideshare business, we're always looking to earn our next five-star review. Whether you need new tires or want to stop in for a free air check, we're here to support you.
Stop by any Discount Tire location and we'll get you taken care of! Customers who buy and book an appointment online wait less time!
For more information on this and other tire and wheel services, check out our YouTube Channel or reach out to us on X, Facebook and Instagram.