The modern car has evolved into a rather complex machine. Compared to the cars of the 1960's, the difference is really laughable. From the age of inefficient carburetors we've come to the age of computer controlled direct fuel injection. Despite all the technological advances, however, the performance of your car often still comes down to the tires.

Your tires are incredibly important to the ride, maneuverability, gas mileage and stopping power of your car. Most people know this to one extent or another, but don't always know why this is so. The answer is simple. The tires are the four points where the car touches the road. Bad tires can make a car unsafe. Great tires can turn a kitten into a tiger.

Tires can be a real pain in the derriere to shop for. First off, there are what seem to be a few million brands. Second, the prices range all over the place from the ridiculously cheap to the insanely expensive. Knowing what to buy and why can be difficult, but it is something worth learning. If you are going to splurge on your car, a set of great tires is the place to do it.

The first thing to understand is what your vehicle is capable of. Yes, low profile tires look swank on an SUV, but the ride is going to suffer and you are going to wear through those tires quickly. Getting a quality tire that is designed specifically for your vehicle is going to produce a much better ride. You want to look for the exact sizing of your current tire. You can then buy "up" in performance by looking for a higher speed rating. "H" and "V" are worth paying for. These mean the tire will perform perfectly well above 100 miles per hour. While you probably won't get to that speed, it also means the tires will be great at lower speeds.

The internet is a wonderful thing. Although you might not realize it, there is a forum for your car somewhere. You can search for your brand, model and the word "forum" to find it. A forum is a big discussion board. There you will find a bunch of other people that own your car model. They will be discussing a host of issues. One will be their experiences with various tires. This is a gold mine of information and a perfect place to find out what the best tire is for your budget. Here you can find the perfect brand for your ride.

Tires are hardly the sexiest subject when it comes to discussing car performance. That being said, nothing will make a bigger difference in how your car handles than a quality set of tires. If you've got the money, get some.