Data Science (DSCI) 490 Capstone Research Guide

Tires may all look the same, but just as there can be dramatic differences in their performance, there can be variations in the tire-buying experience. A recent survey conducted by Consumer Reports on the tire-buying experience shows that CR members tend to be an informed group who place a priority on handling, wet grip, treadwear, and ride comfort. And the survey showed that they experienced a range of satisfaction when it comes to tire retailers, particularly when looking at the various elements of the buying process.

Tires can lose their footing long before they're worn out. Our tests show that tread can give up a significant amount of grip when it's still at the halfway point. That's particularly worrisome when you realize how many worn tires are on the roads. A recent study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that nearly 50 percent of the 11,500 cars, pickup trucks, vans, and sport-utility vehicles the agency checked had at least one tire with half-worn tread. Another 10 percent had at least one bald tire.Worn tires—especially bald ones—can be deadly on wet roads, where the grooves aren't deep enough to channel water out from beneath the tread. The result is hydroplaning, where the tread skims the water's surface and the vehicle no longer responds to the steering wheel. Wet-weather braking and snow traction also decrease as tires wear.

Measurements are in U.S. Imperial will need to be converted to Metric.

Flat tires tend to happen one at a time. The ideal scenario is to replace all four tires, but that can be costly. So to address a tread puncture or sidewall tear, can you buy just a single tire or split the difference and replace a pair?