Consumer Reports tests all-season tires for various cars

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- No matter what type of car you drive having a good set of tires is essential for your safety.

Consumer Reports recently tested all-season tires, and Gene Peterson said they're a good choice for most drivers.

"They're designed to handle various weather conditions, including snow and ice. Plus they give a long, smooth ride and they have a long tread life," he said.

But with so many all-season tires to choose from, it can be tough to know which ones to buy. Consumer Reports put tires through 14 different testing criteria, including stopping distances on a variety of surfaces to see what worked best.

To determine tread wear, tires were driven 16,000 miles on public roads in West Texas and routinely measured to determine how long they should last.

In the end, Consumer Reports' top pick tire for sedans is the Michelin Defender. It costs about $120 and has a notably long tread life.

The top pick performance tire is the Continental PureContact for around $112. For SUV and truck owners, the Michelin LTX M/S 2 tires, which cost about $190 and has the highest ratings along with an excellent tread life.

Consumer Reports said it is important to get a total price for the tires, which includes disposal and balancing fees.