Tire talk with Ryan Pszczolkowski, CR’s tire program manager.

From Consumer Reports, tires may look similar, but Consumer Reports’ testing shows that performance can vary significantly as far as grip, braking distances, and even resistance to hydroplaning. Each year, CR evaluates about 40 models, totaling more than 800 tires, to provide shoppers with insightful data and advice for buying replacements.

Evaluating roughly 40 models of tires every year gives us a deep understanding of how the latest tires perform and how they compare,” says Ryan Pszczolkowski, CR’s tire program manager. “Combining findings from our 327-acre Auto Test Center, lab-conducted rolling resistance tests, and off-site winter evaluations, our tire testing captures the full spectrum of tire performance so consumers can make informed safety and value decisions when purchasing tires.”

Plus we answer some reader/listener mail and wish my wife a happy birthday.