Call Discount Tire, a sponsor here. Their customer service is exceptional and they will walk you through to a well-informed decision.

 

I used to work at Discount Tire. Michelin and BFGoodrich are usually the most recommended brands, but probably more expensive. Goodyears will get you by and tend to stand up to some beating in everyday driving, but aren't always recommended. Decently priced as I recall, though. I personally run Firestone Destination LE2's right now, they cut through wet pavement pretty well and did pretty good in the dirt and mud today, but I still need to see how they do in snow. Ran me $600 or so new, but if you can get 'em through Discount they'll probably be cheaper.

 

You should first pick your tire size you are going to go with. (stock/upgrade?)

THEN you set your own price. then figure out which tires fall in your price range.

Once you have that we can make some suggestions.

 

Budget wise... We are getting Christmas bonus in 2ish weeks, so $1000 would be my max most likely. Could stretch it a bit if needed. I want something that will last longer then 2 years.

Size wise... I have no idea what differences in size do. My dad always had the philosophy that girls shouldn't work on cars (among lots of other things) and My ex had the same thoughts, this is the first vehicle I have had to maintain. I have 215/60r17... I know that's width, height and radius... But don't know what differences are made when you change that..

 

Feel free anyone if im wrong to correct me but if i remember right
Changing the size of your tire changes the tire "footprint" meaning that you can achieve more grip.

If you change the 215, you are making the tire wider
If you change the 60 you are making the tire taller
if you change the 17 you are making your rim larger

the wider a tire the more grip you have on the road due to your overall footprint being increased, the taller a tire (usually, there are always exceptions) the smoother your ride is since you have more air between your rim and the ground the rubber in the tire can flex more through holes and cracks. if you want all seasons then your best bet is to call discount tire with your price range in mind and see what they have to offer. i believe your max tire size with out mods or lifting would be a 235/65R17.

 

If you change the 215, you are making the tire wider
If you change the 60 you are making the tire taller
if you change the 17 you are making your rim larger

The only thing missing is that if you go up from 215 you are getting wider AND taller. The 60 is the height of the tire, which is 60% of width. 60% of 235 is more than 60% of 215. Therefore, taller tire. Not a huge difference, but wanted to mention it.

Silver, unless you have a specific reason to go to a different size such as changing the ride or look of your patriot, I would just stick with stock sizes like bcom suggested. Bumping to a 65 in height will likely give it a smoother ride and will look a little more "jeepish." Also, just like when shopping for an auto mechanic, ask around for a tire shop that people trust. Too many places are worried about commission and such. You want the best tire for YOU, not the best tire for the store to make money on. Research the tires they suggest too, so don't buy "on the spot." Make sure they are telling you the truth.

I have to add, anyone who says women shouldn't work on cars is full of $hit. I've been teaching a friend of mine all sorts of "manly" stuff (welding, framing, cars) so she doesn't have to rely on someone else to do it for her.

 

Thanks! That makes sense does it change fuel mileage? Or speedometer at all?

 

Firestone Destination LE2 are available in 225/60/17 and will fit with no issues.

 

the patriot also came from the factory with a 215/65/17 tire.This tire is a little taller and will fill your wheel wells out nicely so there isnt so much gap between the tire and the body.There are no guessing games when using this size.This size tire will ride nicer because of the extra rubber between the tire and rim,there are no rub issues since this was a stock size offered.The patriot was only offered in 2 sizes with the 17" rim.The size you have and the size i mentioned.
You will get lots of suggestions in sizes and tread designs but honestly just stick with factory sizes so you dont have to second guess yourself and worry about rub issues.The taller 215/65/17 will ride nicer but throw your speedo off about 2-3mph which isnt a problem.
Whatever tread design you select,most quality tires will last over 2 years.Good tires are rated for 65-80k miles which is around 5-6 years of use.You should be able to find good quality tires for under $1000 and have a few hundred to spare.Just one other thing,try to stick with name brand tires.Do not buy some fly by night name brand which some of the larger tire stores try to sell.

 

+1 for bcom's post above.

 

Got these both for the Landrover and a Dodge Ram - great tire and only a hair over $100 shipped! http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/tires/gt_radial/home.do

 

Factory P215/65R17 SR-A's breakdown:
P=passenger vehicle
215=tire is 215 millimeters wide
65=sidewall is 65% of tread width
R17=rim is 17 inches in diameter

Breakdown of Firestone Destination LE2's P225/60R17 currently equipped on my Patriot
P=tire is meant for a passenger vehicle, not commercial truck
225=tread is 225 millimeters wide
60=sidewall is 60% of tread width(in this case very similar if not identical to sidewall on factory tires)
R17=tire is designed for a rim with a diameter of 17 inches

 

One tire I suggest you check out are Continentals TrueContact that just came out this year. Oh it comes in all the required sizes for our Pats:

215/60/17
215/65/17

225/60/17
225/65/17

235/55/17
235/60/17
235/65/17

I did research on the Altimax RT43, Michelin Defender and the TrueContact beats them all. Check Tireracks videos and comments for more info.

 

Pretty sure without any lifts of any kind, 235/65/17 would rub. 225/65/17 should be the largest you go.

 

I bought Bridgestone Dueler Ecopia and I am very happy with them. Quieter than those garbage Goodyear Eagle original tires.

 

Personally, given my AO, I would purchase all-terrain tires that do well in winter or straight out winter tires for the six months we have snow here in Central New York and not "all season" tires.

The Goodyear Wrangler S/RA OWL are OEM tires in 215/65R17 - DiscountTireDirect has these for $113.00 each, free shipping, $25.00 instant web savings, and a $40.00 pre-paid VISA card rebate. While they might not be the best all-terrain tire by any means, I believe they would suit you perfectly as "all-season" tires while keeping your JEEP all OEM with the added advantage of good looks due to the outside raised white lettering. My wife is going to run these tires off of my FDII (3500 miles on them as I switched out to 16" wheels and Cooper Discoverer A/T3s and she wants to keep her 17" mags). While some people with greater "all-terrain" expectations than what these tire were actually designed for have bashed them, I have read a great many decent reviews of their general "all-terrain" and certainly general "all-season" capability. Dixie, of this site, for one I believe has one helluva winter application and has nothing bad to say of the Goodyears. My wife's Pat did outstandingly well last winter with the OEM Affinities in 215/60R17, so I expect the Goodyear S/RAs will suit her even better.

That said, I found the following in the hopes that it aids your search:
The best rated tire that I have found for your application at DiscountTireDirect.com is the Michelin Defender in 215/65R17 @$156.00 each with free shipping ($624.00 for four delivered).

The best rated tire that I have found for your application at TireRack.com is the General AltiMAX RT43 in 215/65R17 @$97.00 each $388.00 set of four, plus about $60-$70 shipping ($~460.00 for four delivered).

 

Yeah, my SRA's served me well, and I never even got to rotate 'em, lol.

 

Whats wrong with this near identical American made Cooper tire for $392 shipped?
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...ireDetail.do?ra=filterTireProducts.do&fl=&pc=19820&counter=0&ar=65&rd=17&cs=215

Also these continentals are $498 delivered and the same specs as those Michliens minus the added price.
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...ireDetail.do?ra=filterTireProducts.do&fl=&pc=19665&counter=0&ar=65&rd=17&cs=215

Both are nice tires and arguably nicer, opinions and ratings only mean so much.

Heck if you want to save a few bucks my uncle is a year an a half on these and likes them. They perform great on the freeway as much as they do in the sandy soil of central Wisconsin on his Dodge. $299.88 shipped

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...ireDetail.do?ra=filterTireProducts.do&fl=&pc=12874&counter=0&ar=65&rd=17&cs=215

 

Yes, indeed, "opinions and ratings only mean so much." I gave mine, you gave yours, others theirs. Hope it all helps the OP with her search.

 

Not saying yours specifically but rather those on the tire websites. Also remember with these ratings many of them are given soon after they receive and install the tires which IMHO are useless. Just like my dad's previous set of Goodyears, he would have given them a good rating at first however after about a year he found out they were not that great in snow/ice and the sidewalls started peeling!

 

Is true - usually the angry customers are the ones to provide reviews while the happy ones never even think about it. Thats why I like sites like NewEgg, Amazon, etc that send follow up rating email requests a few months or longer after the purchase for rating a product.

 

The only thing Goodyear Wrangler S/RA have going for them is the rugged looks with the raised lettering other than that they are absolute garbage. Any time there are wet roads I cannot help but spin my front tires and I'm taking it easy on the gas pedal. As for snow I wouldn't know as my General Arctic Altimax are on during the winter but if the R/SA's can't handle wet pavement I can't imagine they being any good in the snow.

The TrueContacts are so new that Tirerack hasn't got them on their Standard Touring All-Season survey where currently the Generals AltiMAX RT43 own top spot. That will soon change as the TrueContacts are even better in all aspects. Check out the short video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgL8r5hHvS0


One reviewer of the AltiMAX RT43 said:

Initial Review, 1,000 Miles on Tires
July 19, 2014
Replaced near-new General Altimax RT43 with these under Continental's 45-day satisfaction guarantee, as the General's had a weird vibration at 70mph+ that wouldn't balance out. While I believe that without that weird wobble-down-the-road the Altimax RT43's are probably a fairly good tire, the TrueContacts run truer, ride softer and smoother and with less rebound or "kickback" and noise after hitting a pothole, have a little sharper steering response, and DEFINITELY have better wet performance. Except for the steering response exactly the same can be said (and to an even greater extent!) in comparison to MXV4's. Of 5 different tires tried on this vehicle these have been the best. Tread wear? Time will tell but I suspect closer to 50 or 60k in 60/40 mixed city/highway driving than the 80k they claim. But at this great price and as good as they are I'll be happy with anything over 40k.

 

I never had any wet-weather issues whatsoever with my S/RAs in the almost 4,000 miles I used them. I have read many reviews that state they are good in the snow, but not so great on ice. Be that as it may, while company promos are always motivating, I always wait for the verdict on a new tire until the jury has had some time to deliberate and there are more reviews and commentary like the one SpaceJeep posted - seems like good stuff, "time will tell."

 

My front wheel spin is most likely enhanced for two reasons: its a 4 x 2 and a 5 spd. Funny thing is when I have my snows on and its wet out I cannot get them to spin- great traction!!

 

Tell you the truth he may of had those as it sounds familiar. Because of those Goodyears he swore them off forever and will never buy raised white lettering any longer!

 

I used my SR-A's in wet weather and wintertime alot, and they did ok. With all I learned over time, I tended to be a smart driver and ease off a bit on wet pavement anyways, but on packed snow, they did ok if I wasn't hotdogging around. Was a little fun to occasionally slide into a corner though. Not to mention the time I kept up 40mph for maybe 2 miles through 20 inches of rutted powder........

 

By the time I'm ready to change my S-RA's there will most likely be a better tire on the market. With only 52k km on the Pat and 26k on the Wranglers and with my tire rotation of every 6 months I'll be good for another 5 years!!

 

I definitely need something that handles well in the snow.. I am an EMT and do a lot of driving before roads get treated. Due to my job I drive in the worst conditions (not always in the patriot lol). I am so used to driving 2 wheel drive that I rarely switch it into 4 wheel drive. We also have a lot of u maintained dirt roads around here that I drive in the summer and spring to avoid all the tourist traffic. Nothing is flat around here either.

 

This changes everything - you should most certainly consider winter/snow tires for November through April, changing them out for "all season" in May. There are very good winter tire recommendations to be found on this forum and as you have seen already, everyone has their personal preferences that should help you decide. Right now, if I were to purchase winter tires for my wife's Pat, I'd buy Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 or Nokian Haka R2. I have read good things about the General Altimax Arctic and the Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT as well. Good luck with your search.