Wearing sandals in the snow is not appropriate. Running shoes for a formal occasion would be very out of place. Just as proper footwear is important to your comfort and correct body alignment, appropriate tires are vital to the overall performance and handling of your vehicle.

An inappropriate tire provides little benefit to the vehicle it supports. A sporty sedan offers little excitement if not supported by properly designed and fitted tires. It makes no sense if you are seeking optimum performance to purchase inexpensive tires, just as it makes little sense to wear the wrong size shoes.

When choosing tires, just like shoes, look for the proper fit. Understanding tire markings can help you select the right tire for the right job. With the current popularity of light trucks and sport-utility vehicles, tire manufacturers have worked diligently to offer many tire options.

A tire marked A/T is designed for all-terrain use and also performs well on the highway. An all-terrain tread has many independent blocks separated by large grooves for limited off-road traction. Varied sizes and shapes of tread blocks minimize highway noise. The A/T could be compared to a tennis shoe: comfortable and dependable but only able to handle mildly rugged conditions.

An A/T tire might offer options that an off-road enthusiast would enjoy, but it is not as aggressive as the max-traction tire, designated with an M/T. These dutiful M/T soldiers easily handle muddy and rocky surfaces frequented by the serious adventurer. The M/T tire is the "hiking boot" of tires. Rugged tread elements with large tread voids offer excellent traction to handle the most severe driving conditions.

An A/S denotes all-season tires, which are dependable for many road conditions. For severe snow conditions, tires with a mountain snowflake pictograph and an M+S represent the industry's standard for tires. Much like snow boots, they are designed for wintry conditions.

When selecting tires, don't be intimidated by the choices. Think of it as a chance to shop for shoes - but for your automobile. Search for comfort, style and performance to suit your personal driving habits.

Size up options by visiting your local tire dealer or retailer. For more information, visit www.bridgestonetire.com or www.tiresafety.com, or phone the Bridgestone/Firestone customer service representatives at 1-800-807-9555.

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