Do you service commercial fleets?

Yes. Fleet and commercial work is our core, including trailers, box trucks, delivery fleets and construction equipment, with scheduled service and blowout repair.

Brands and sizes, answered by Empire Tire

Q: Which tire brands do you carry?

All major brands, including Goodyear, Cooper, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Michelin, Bridgestone, Toyo, Continental, Pirelli, Hankook, Falken and Uniroyal.

The twelve brands carried, how to read a tire size and date code, load and speed ratings, and which tire suits how you actually drive. 30 answers, for tire service across Northwest Houston, Texas.

Which tire brands do you carry?

Goodyear, Cooper, BFGoodrich, Firestone, Michelin, Bridgestone, Toyo, Continental, Pirelli, Hankook, Falken and Uniroyal. That spread covers everything from a daily commuter to a loaded work truck.

Do you carry Michelin?

Yes, Michelin is one of the twelve brands we carry. Tell us your size and how you use the vehicle and we will show you which Michelin lines actually fit the way you drive.

Do you carry Goodyear?

Yes, Goodyear is one of our stocked brands, across passenger, truck and all terrain lines. Send your size and we will come back with the options.

Do you carry BFGoodrich?

Yes. BFGoodrich is a common choice for trucks and all terrain use, and it is one of the twelve brands we supply.

Do you carry Bridgestone?

Yes, Bridgestone is one of our brands. Tell us the vehicle and the driving you do and we will point you at the right line rather than just the right size.

Do you carry Cooper tires?

Yes. Cooper is one of the twelve brands we carry and is often a strong value option for trucks and SUVs.

Do you carry Firestone?

Yes, Firestone is one of our stocked brands across passenger and light truck sizes.

Do you carry Toyo?

Yes. Toyo is one of the twelve brands we supply and is popular for trucks and off road use.

Do you carry Continental?

Yes, Continental is one of our brands, and it is a common choice where quiet highway performance matters.

Do you carry Pirelli?

Yes. Pirelli is one of the twelve brands we carry, often chosen for performance vehicles.

Do you carry Hankook?

Yes, Hankook is one of our stocked brands and frequently lands as a strong value choice.

Do you carry Falken?

Yes. Falken is one of the twelve brands we supply, common on trucks and all terrain setups.

Do you carry Uniroyal?

Yes, Uniroyal is one of our brands and is often a sensible budget option for everyday driving.

Which brand is best?

There is no single best brand, only the best tire for how you actually drive. A highway commuter, a job site truck and a loaded trailer each want something different, and that matters far more than the name on the sidewall.

How do I read my tire size?

It is on the sidewall in a format like 245 55R19, where the first number is the width in millimetres, the second is the aspect ratio and the last is the wheel diameter in inches. Send us a photo and we will read it for you.

Where is my tire size listed besides the tire?

There is usually a sticker in the driver door jamb listing the factory sizes and recommended pressures. It is also in the owner manual. Either one works for us.

What does the load rating mean?

It is the maximum weight that tire is built to carry. Fitting a tire with too low a load rating on a truck or trailer that carries weight is one of the most common and most dangerous mistakes made on price alone.

What does the speed rating mean?

It is the maximum sustained speed the tire is designed for, and it also reflects how the tire is built. Dropping below what the vehicle calls for is not a saving worth making.

Can I fit a different size than the factory one?

Sometimes, but it changes your speedometer reading, your clearance and how the vehicle handles. If you want to change size, tell us what you are trying to achieve and we will tell you honestly whether it works.

What is the difference between all season and all terrain?

All season is built for road use in mixed weather. All terrain trades some road quietness and tread life for grip on gravel, dirt and job sites. Which one is right depends on where the vehicle actually spends its time.

Do I need all terrain tires for a work truck?

Only if the truck actually leaves pavement regularly. A truck that lives on the highway does better on a highway tire, and all terrain tread will just wear faster and drone more.

Can I mix brands on the same vehicle?

It is better not to, particularly across an axle. Different tires have different grip and wear characteristics, and mismatching them can change how the vehicle behaves under braking. If you must, we will tell you the safest way to do it.

Should all four tires match?

In most cases yes, and it matters more on all wheel drive and four wheel drive vehicles where mismatched rolling diameters can stress the drivetrain. Tell us your vehicle and we will be specific.

What tires are best for towing?

Load rating first, then tread and construction. Towing puts sustained heat and weight through the tire, so the rating is not a detail you trade away for a lower price.

What tires are best for a trailer?

Trailer specific tires, because they are built for the loads and the way a trailer tracks rather than for driving. Fitting passenger tires to a trailer is a common and expensive mistake.

Do you carry truck and SUV sizes?

Yes. Between the twelve brands we carry the size coverage runs from small passenger through light truck and SUV. Send us the size and we will confirm.

How old is a tire before it is too old?

Rubber ages whether or not the tire is used, so a tire with plenty of tread can still be past its useful life. There is a date code on the sidewall, and we will read it for you.

Where is the date code on a tire?

It is the four digit number at the end of the DOT code on the sidewall. The first two digits are the week and the last two are the year. Send a photo and we will decode it.

Are used tires a good idea?

You are buying somebody else's wear and somebody else's damage history, and you cannot see the internal condition. We supply new tires, which is the honest answer to why.

What is a run flat tire?

It has reinforced sidewalls designed to let you keep moving for a limited distance after losing pressure. They are more expensive and ride firmer, and not every vehicle should have them fitted.