The Bottom of the Barrel: Worst Tire Brands

Some tire brands are best left on the shelf. Here’s a quick rundown of the ones to avoid:

• Accelera
• Chaoyang
• Triangle
• Westlake
• GeoStar

Since tires are the only part of a car that actually touches the road, it’s crucial not to skimp on quality. Cheap tires often wear out faster, make more noise, and can take longer to stop. Plus, they’re way more likely to fail when cruising at highway speeds.

What to Look for in a Quality Tire Brand

Meets Government Standards

To be sold in the U.S., tires have to meet certain government standards. This means they’ve gone through a bunch of tests to see how they hold up under pressure. Look for the Department of Transportation (DOT) stamp on the sidewall, which shows important info like size and load ratings.

Ample Customer Reviews

Customer reviews are gold when it comes to figuring out which tires to dodge. Stick to well-known sites like TireRack and TireBuyer, where users need to register to post reviews—this keeps the feedback legit. Be cautious of brands with few reviews or ones that seem fake. If a tire is only safe up to 45 mph, that’s a red flag.

Industry Standard Construction

Quality tires are built with industry-standard materials like gum strips and belt stiffeners that boost performance and durability. Cheap tires might look the same on the outside, but they often skimp on these crucial components.

Quality Materials and R&D

Great tires are made from a mix of natural and synthetic rubber, nylon, and steel. Reputable brands invest in research to create a solid, long-lasting product. On the flip side, budget brands often cut costs by using stiffer rubber that cracks more easily.

5 Worst Tire Brands to Avoid

Accelera

Accelera hails from Indonesia and has been around since 1996, claiming to make quality radial tires. But their PHI tire landed in a dismal 152nd place out of 192 competitors. The website lacks info on warranties or materials, and complaints often mention weak grip and long braking distances.

Chaoyang

This Chinese brand is mainly known for bike tires but also sells car and truck tires. Most of their sales happen through Alibaba, and there’s little info on construction or warranties. Many reviews seem fake, making it hard to trust their products.

Triangle

Another Chinese brand, Triangle, has a reputation for producing some of the worst tires. Their TR968 tire ranked 179th out of 192. While they mention some design features, the reviews are mostly negative, with complaints about poor traction and loud noise.

Westlake

Part of China’s ZC Rubber Group, Westlake is one of the more common names on this list. Despite having more reviews, they reveal serious issues like high road noise and poor traction. Many customers regret their purchase, calling them “unsafe” and “risky.”

GeoStar

GeoStar is the budget brand of Taiwan’s Nankang Rubber Tire, and it shows. A Consumer Reports review found them to be the most balanced among cheap brands, but they still aren’t a solid choice for long-term use. Their S6065 all-season tire only holds a three-star rating.