Getting new tires for your Tacoma pickup can be an exciting but overwhelming experience. With so many brands, types, sizes, and features to consider, how do you know which are the best tires for your Tacoma in 2024? This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to find the perfect set of new Tacoma tires this year.
Introduce Tacoma Tires and Why Readers Should Care
The Toyota Tacoma is one of the most popular midsize trucks on the market. Known for its rugged capability and longevity, the Tacoma has a dedicated following of owners who use it for everything from daily driving to off-road adventures. No matter how you use your Tacoma, having a good set of tires is crucial.
The right tires improve your truck’s traction, handling, ride quality, and capability. They also impact fuel efficiency and safety. Unfortunately, Tacoma tires can be expensive, especially if you opt for aggressive off-road or snow tires. That’s why it pays to do your research to find the best tire value for your needs and budget.
Keep up with New Tire Technologies
Tire technology keeps evolving each year, with new tread patterns, compounds, and features. By looking at the latest 2024 Tacoma tires, you can take advantage of innovations that enhance performance, comfort, or capability compared to older tires.
Consider How You Use Your Tacoma
Your priorities for new Tacoma tires will depend on how you drive your truck. Long highway commutes, rugged trails, heavy cargo loads, and winter weather each require different tire strengths you’ll want to consider.
Compare Top Brands for Tacoma Tires
When evaluating new Tacoma tires, you’ll come across big brand names like BFGoodrich, Toyo, Mickey Thompson, and others. Each manufacturer has strengths geared towards different priorities.
Trusted All-Around Brands
Big names like BFGoodrich and Toyo offer versatile all-terrain and all-season options built for longevity and balanced on/off-road grip. Goodyear and Michelin are other popular general use tire brands fitting for daily driven Tacomas.
Specialized Off-Road Brands
For maximum traction on dirt, mud, rocks, and trails, specialized tires from Mickey Thompson, Pro Comp, and Nitto are equipped with rugged tread compounds and patterns. Just know they compromise on-road handling.
Budget-Friendly Brands
To save some cash, Cobra, Milestar, and other lesser known brands offer very affordable Tacoma tires, though they may lack the advanced features and materials of big brand tires.
Consider Tire Types: All-Season, All-Terrain, Mud Terrain
Tacoma tires come in three primary categories, each geared towards different environments.
All-Season: Street-focused Performance
All-season tires offer year-round traction in most weather conditions. They have substantial tread with siping and tread patterns that provide grip on wet roads. All-season tires are best for street-driven Tacomas.
All-Terrain: Mixed On/Off-Road Versatility
With burlier tread blocks, all-terrain tires add off-road traction without sacrificing too much on-road manners. They work well for Tacomas that split time between pavement and trails.
Mud Terrain: Specialized for Off-Road
Mud terrain tires feature deep, aggressively spaced lugs designed specifically for traction in mud, sand, and loose dirt. They excel off-road but their loud, stiff ride is overkill for street use.
Review Key Features Like Tread Depth and Load Rating
Look beyond just tire type and consider key specifications that impact performance:
Tread Depth
Deeper tread improves off-road grip and extends the tire’s lifespan. All-terrain and mud terrain tires have the deepest tread depths.
Load Rating
Check your Tacoma’s weight rating and get tires rated for at least that much weight capacity for safety and proper wear.
Sidewall Strength
Thicker sidewalls resist punctures on rough terrain. Mud terrain and LT-rated all-terrain tires have the toughest sidewalls.
Learn How Wheel Size Affects Tacoma Tire Options
Tacomas came stock with 16″, 17″, or 18″ wheels depending on trim and model year. Larger wheel diameters expand your tire sizing and type choices but can impact ride quality and cost.
16″ Wheels
With 16″ wheels, common Tacoma tire sizes are P245/75R16 and LT265/70R16. You’ll have plenty of all-season and all-terrain options, with limited mud terrain choices.
17″ or 18″ Wheels
Upgraded 17″ or 18″ wheels open up additional sizing options like P265/65R17 and P275/65R18. More wheel diameter provides a greater selection of tire types, including more aggressive all-terrain and mud terrain tires.
Understand How Tacoma Tires Impact Fuel Efficiency
Beyond performance, your new Tacoma tires affect gas mileage and efficiency.
All-Season Tires Maximise MPG
With their street-oriented tread and responsive handling, all-season tires make the best choice for maximizing the Tacoma’s fuel economy.
Aggressive Treads Reduce MPG
The knobby, rolling-resistant tread of specialized off-road tires hurts MPG, making them best for Tacomas not used for daily transportation.
Lower-Profile = Lower MPG
The shorter, flatter sidewalls of low-profile tires harm efficiency compared to higher-profile tires. Prioritize fuel economy with taller 65 or 70 aspect ratio tires.
Check Out Customer Reviews on Top Tacoma Tire Models
Researching customer reviews reveals real-world insights into how popular Tacoma tires perform. Focus on feedback relevant to how you’ll use your truck.
All-Season Reviews
For mainly street-driven Tacomas, all-season tire reviews spotlight ride comfort, low noise, treadwear, wet/winter traction, and fuel efficiency.
All-Terrain Reviews
Look for all-terrain tire feedback on off-road traction, puncture resistance, responsive on-road handling, even treadwear, and longevity.
Mud Terrain Reviews
Off-road enthusiasts reviewing mud terrain tires focus on deep mud and rock grip, traction in loose dirt, and treadlife of the soft, sticky rubber compounds.
Compare Tacoma Tire Prices at Local Shops and Online
Shopping around helps find affordable pricing on your preferred Tacoma tire models and sizes. Check both local tire shops and online tire retailers.
Leverage Local Installation Deals
Many local shops will match or beat competitor tire prices if you have them install the tires. The convenience of local mounting, balancing, and disposal saves hassle.
Find Online Promotions
Large online sellers like DiscountTireDirect and TireRack offer exclusive web deals and deep discounts not always matched at local stores.
Consider Shipping Costs
Factor in the shipping fees buying tires online, which can eat into potential savings vs just purchasing locally.
Find the Best Tacoma Tires for Your Needs and Budget
By considering all the factors covered here, you’ll zero in on the ideal new Tacoma tires for 2024 that match your driving priorities and budget limits. Don’t neglect this critical component that keeps your truck running safely and reliably all year long.
When it’s time to shop for new tires for your Toyota Tacoma, you’ll find there are plenty of brands to choose from. While it can seem overwhelming at first, comparing the top tire brands for Tacomas makes it easier to select the right tires for your needs and budget.
Compare Top Brands for Tacoma Tires
With so many tire manufacturers out there, narrowing down your options to the best brands for Tacoma tires ensures you get a quality product. Here’s an overview of leading tire brands to consider based on different priorities:
Goodyear – Trusted All-Around Performance
It’s hard to go wrong with industry giant Goodyear. Its Wrangler line offers versatile all-season and all-terrain Tacoma tires with durability and a smooth, stable ride. Goodyear is a safe bet for daily drivers.
Toyo – Tuned for Off-Road Adventures
Known for their specialized off-road tires, Toyo produces Open Country A/Ts with tough sidewalls and aggressive tread for traversing muddy, rocky trails. Toyota Tacoma owners seeking rugged traction opt for Toyo.
BFGoodrich – Winning Combination On and Off-Road
BFGoodrich strikes an optimal balance between on-road comfort and off-road capability. The All-Terrain T/A KO2 is a top Tacoma tire, with its raised outline white letters and excellent wet/snow traction.
Cooper Discoverer – Affordable Durability
For Tacoma owners on a budget, Cooper is hard to beat. The Discoverer A/T3 provides impressive all-terrain performance at a value price, though highway noise is noticeable.
Michelin – Premium Contact Patch and Handling
At the higher end, Michelin Defender LTX M/S tires offer a super refined street ride, longevity, and responsive handling loved by Tacoma daily drivers. Expect to pay more.
Nitto Ridge Grappler – Maximum Traction in Deep Mud
Serious off-road enthusiasts running Tacomas rely on specialty Nitto tires like the Ridge Grappler for pulling through deep mud and dirt thanks to wide, deep tread lugs. The trade-off is on-road noise.
While personal driving needs and budgets play a role, evaluating the reputations of top tire brands helps guarantee you find durable, high-performing tires for your Tacoma.
Now that you know the major brands to look for, you can dive deeper comparing specific tire models and prices to make the perfect choice new Tacoma tires this year.
When shopping for new tires for your Toyota Tacoma, one of the biggest decisions is which tire type best suits your needs. Tacoma tires come in three main categories: all-season, all-terrain, and mud terrain. Understanding the differences helps pick the right tires for where and how you drive.
Consider Tire Types: All-Season, All-Terrain, Mud Terrain
Each tire type has unique strengths and tradeoffs based on its tread pattern, compound, and construction.
All-Season Tires – Balanced On and Off-Road
As their name suggests, all-season tires work year-round in various conditions. Their tread combines lateral and circumferential grooves to effectively displace water on wet roads and snow. Wide tread blocks provide some light off-road traction while maintaining a quiet, comfortable ride.
All-season tires suit Tacoma daily drivers who only occasionally go off-road. Just know their performance in extreme conditions is limited.
All-Terrain Tires – Mixed On/Off-Road Versatility
With burlier tread blocks spaced farther apart, all-terrain tires add off-road bite while retaining decent on-road manners. Their tread pattern ejects mud and grips loose surfaces better than all-seasons.
All-terrain tires are ideal for Tacoma owners who split time between pavement and moderate trails. Just expect a slightly louder, rougher ride on-road.
Mud Terrain Tires – Specialized for Off-Road
Mud terrain tires have deep, wide tread lugs designed specifically to penetrate and channel away mud, sand, and dirt. Their soft rubber compounds conform over rocks and stick to surfaces.
Dedicated off-roaders choose mud terrains for the Tacoma’s maximum traction on extreme terrain. But their noisy, stiff ride and wandering make them a compromise for street use.
Evaluating your own Tacoma driving habits allows choosing the right tire design for your needs. All-season for mainly pavement, all-terrain for mixed use, and mud terrain for off-road exploits.
Now that you understand tire types available, you can narrow your search to the ideal new Tacoma tires for how you plan to use your truck in 2024 and beyond.
When evaluating new tires for your Toyota Tacoma, looking beyond just tire type to key specifications will ensure you get the right tires dialed in for your needs.
Review Key Features Like Tread Depth and Load Rating
While the tire category gives you a general idea of its intended use, several other metrics determine performance that are important to compare:
Tread Depth
Deeper tire tread provides more material to grip uneven and loose terrain off-road. It also enhances hydroplaning resistance on wet roads while extending the tire’s lifespan.
All-terrain and mud terrain Tacoma tires have the deepest tread, from 10-12/32″ when new. All-season tires start around 8-10/32″.
Load Rating
Check your Tacoma’s gross vehicle weight rating and get tires rated for at least that much weight capacity. Properly load rated tires ensure safe handling and reduce irregular wear.
Heavier V6 and diesel Tacomas may require Light Truck (LT) rated tires while 4-cylinder models can use Passenger (P) rated tires.
Sidewall Strength
Tacoma tires with thicker sidewalls are more resistant to punctures and curb damage on rugged terrain. The stiff construction also enhances stability off-road.
Mud terrain and LT all-terrain tires have the toughest sidewalls, while all-seasons have more flexible sidewalls for a softer on-road ride.
Treadwear Rating
A tire’s treadwear rating predicts its lifespan, with higher numbers indicating longer tread life. It’s useful for comparing expected mileage between tire models.
Harder wearing all-season tires often have treadwear over 600, whereas soft specialized off-road tires are around 300-400.
Looking past the basics provides deeper insights when picking the best new tires for your Tacoma this year.
The Toyota Tacoma came equipped from the factory with 16″, 17″ or 18″ wheels depending on configuration and model year. When shopping for new Tacoma tires, understanding how wheel diameter affects your options is key to choosing the right tire size.
Learn How Wheel Size Affects Tacoma Tire Options
Larger wheel diameters allow fitting larger tire sidewall and tread sizes. However, bigger wheels also impact ride quality and expand the range of usable tire types.
16″ Wheels – Basic Tire Sizing
The stock 16″ steel and alloy Tacoma wheels accommodate common P-metric tire sizes like P245/75R16 and P265/70R16. Overall diameter is around 30-31″.
You’ll have plenty of all-season and all-terrain choices in these sizes. Mud terrain options are limited on a 16″ wheel.
17″ Wheels – More Volume and Options
Upgraded 17″ allow plus-sizing to P245/65R17 or P265/65R17 tires around 32″ overall diameter. More sidewall volume provides a smoother ride.
Additional all-terrain and mud-terrain tires open up in these sizes. Highway noise may increase slightly over 16″ wheels.
18″ Wheels – Maximum Size and Capability
With 18″ wheels, Tacomas can fit LT275/65R18 or P275/65R18 tires approaching 33″ overall diameter. You gain light truck-rated tire options.
The most aggressive all-terrain and mud terrain tire types are available in this size. Expect a firmer, louder highway ride over stock.
While personal preference plays a role, factoring wheel diameter helps narrow tire sizing and type choices when upgrading your Tacoma’s shoes.
When upgrading the tires on your Toyota Tacoma, it’s important to consider how your choice affects gas mileage and efficiency in addition to performance.
Understand How Tacoma Tires Impact Fuel Efficiency
The tires you select for your Tacoma have a surprising impact on fuel economy and efficiency that’s important to factor in.
All-Season Tires Maximise MPG
With their street-focused tread patterns designed for low rolling resistance, all-season tires make the best choice if maximizing Tacoma fuel economy is your priority.
Responsive handling and reduced friction compared to aggressive treads optimize gas mileage for daily driving.
Off-Road Tires Reduce MPG
The knobby, open tread lugs of all-terrain and mud terrain tires create added rolling resistance that hurts MPG around town and on the highway.
Go with specialized off-road tires only if fuel efficiency is secondary to extreme traction for your Tacoma.
Lower-Profile Tires = Lower MPG
Big, heavy wheels with low-profile tires that have shorter sidewalls sacrifice efficiency over taller sidewall tires.
Prioritize fuel economy with 65 or 70 aspect ratio all-season tires on 16″ or 17″ wheels.
Rotate and Inflate for Best MPG
Proper tire rotation and inflation pressure maximizes the fuel efficiency of any Tacoma tire. Check psi monthly and rotate every 5,000-8,000 miles.
Choosing new Tacoma tires suited to your driving, along with proper care, ensures you get the combination of performance, capability, and fuel economy you need.
With so many Tacoma tire options available from different manufacturers, reading customer reviews can provide helpful real-world insights before you buy.
Check Out Customer Reviews on Top Tacoma Tire Models
Before selecting new tires for your Tacoma, customer feedback on popular models reveals how they perform based on real driver experiences.
All-Season Tire Reviews
For primarily street-driven Tacomas, owners highlight all-season tire ride comfort, quietness, treadlife, wet/winter traction, and fuel efficiency.
Top-rated all-season models include the Michelin Defender LTX, BFGoodrich Advantage T/A Sport, and Goodyear Wrangler Fortitude HT.
All-Terrain Tire Reviews
In all-terrain tire reviews, key considerations are off-road traction, durability, on-road stability, even tread wear, and longevity.
The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2, Toyo Open Country A/T III, and Cooper Discoverer AT3 4S rank among the top all-terrain Tacoma tires.
Mud Terrain Tire Reviews
For hardcore off-roading, owners want maximum traction and grip in mud, sand, and over rocks. Treadlife and on-road noise are compromises.
Top mud tires for Tacomas include the Toyo Open Country M/T, Ridge Grappler Nitto, and Mickey Thompson Baja Boss.
Checking out customer reviews on tires tailored to your Tacoma priorities helps pick winners when upgrading your truck’s shoes.
Shopping around for the best deal on Tacoma tires ensures you don’t overpay. Comparing prices at local tire shops and online retailers can result in significant savings.
Compare Tacoma Tire Prices at Local Shops and Online
With Tacoma tires ranging anywhere from $150 up to $300+ each, it pays to check both local and online sources to get the best price.
Leverage Local Installation Deals
Many local tire shops will match or even beat competitor pricing if you have them install the tires too. This saves the hassle of DIY mounting and balancing.
Stores like Discount Tire, Big O and Firestone run frequent promotions to get you in the door.
Find Online Coupons and Rebates
Large online tire retailers like TireRack.com and DiscountTireDirect.com provide exclusive discounts and rebates not always available locally.
Sign up for email deals and check for coupons before ordering for maximum savings.
Factor in Shipping Fees
Buying tires online can have added shipping charges from $50-100 for a set. Curbside delivery is convenient but eats into potential savings vs local.
Consider DIY pickup at a local warehouse to avoid delivery fees if going the online route.
Ask Locals to Price Match
You can sometimes get local shops to match the total price of online tires with installation factored in. Never hurts to ask!
With some diligent cross-shopping, you can snag a great deal on new Tacoma tires for 2024 to maximize value.
Getting the most life out of your Tacoma tires requires staying on top of proper maintenance like tire rotation and knowing when replacement is needed.
Learn When It’s Time to Rotate or Replace Tacoma Tires
Rotating and replacing tires at the right intervals keeps your Tacoma running safely and extends tire longevity.
Follow the Rotation Schedule
Rotating your Tacoma’s tires every 5,000-8,000 miles ensures even treadwear. Stick to the owner’s manual schedule.
Do a walkaround inspection when rotating to check for abnormal or uneven wear that indicates suspension or alignment issues.
Watch for Tread Wear Indicators
Tacoma tires have built-in treadwear indicators that signal when tread depth is dangerously low for replacement.
Tread depth should not go below 2/32″. Check frequently with a tread depth gauge for accuracy.
Replace Based on Tire Age
Even with adequate tread, it’s recommended to replace tires that are 6-10 years old from the manufacturing date code stamped into the sidewall.
Rubber compounds weaken over time, increasing blowout risk. Don’t wait until they look worn.
Fix Vibration Issues Quickly
New vibrations or noises point to potential tire balance or suspension problems. Address issues immediately to prevent uneven tire wear.
Staying proactive with tire maintenance keeps you on the road safely and extends the life of your Tacoma’s shoes.
With all the tire options and considerations covered, it’s time to zero in on the ideal new tires for your Toyota Tacoma based on your driving needs and budget.
Find the Best Tacoma Tires for Your Needs and Budget
Here are some final tips for getting the right Tacoma tires dialed in:
Prioritize Your Key Needs
Make your top priorities clear first – whether that’s specializing for off-road traction, optimizing for highway fuel economy, getting the most miles out of treadlife, or keeping costs down.
Compare Options that Deliver
With your must-have features defined, compare tire models, sizes, brands and designs engineered to deliver on those specific needs.
Choose Within Your Budget
Finding the best tire deals and shopping sales allow getting top-rated options while staying within a comfortable budget range.
Stick to Proper Sizing
Ensure any Tacoma tire upgrade fits approved sizing for your truck’s wheels and suspension to prevent safety issues or wear problems.
Research Reviews and Ratings
Take advantage of customer reviews and product rating sites to further validate how specific tires perform for Tacoma owners.
With the right diligence during research and shopping, you can secure the perfect set of new shoes for your Tacoma this year that check every box.
Don’t neglect this critical component keeping your truck running safely for miles to come.