The Toyota Camry is one of the world’s most popular cars. It debuted in 1982 and is currently sold as a mid-sized option. It’s the Japanese automaker’s flagship model and was the best-selling passenger car in the United States from 1997 to 2016.
If you own a Camry, one of the best ways to keep it in tip-top condition is by regularly replacing the tires. Check out the best tires for Toyota Camry in our buying guide below.
The Best Tires for a Toyota Camry
Goodyear Eagle LS-2 Radial Tire
The Eagle LS-2 tires are part of Goodyear’s line of luxury sport, grand touring, all-season tires. They provide a smooth and quiet ride and good traction in most conditions, including light snow. They’re popular on sedans and are OEM on minivans, crossovers, SUVs, and pickups.
The independent tread blocks minimize noise, and the wide circumferential channels aid in expelling water for better traction in wet conditions. The twin steel belts in the tire’s internal structure are reinforced with nylon for strength as well as durability at high speeds. Overall, they last a long time, stick really well to the road, and function well in the rain.
PROS
- Smooth and quiet ride
- Durable
- Good traction
CONS
- Not good in the snow
- Sidewalls may fail prematurely
- Slightly expensive
Ohtsu FP7000 All-Season Radial Tire
These all-season tires are designed for optimal accelerating, cornering, and braking all-year round. They are smooth and stable and feature a low-profile sidewall. The non-directional tread pattern makes rotation easy and prolongs their lifespan by decreasing irregular wear.
The variable shoulder tread blocks reduce noise and make the ride quiet and smooth. The high-volume circumferential grooves are designed to reduce hydroplaning and boost performance in wet conditions. They handle really well in curves, and they continue to perform well in the rain as they age. They are also a really great price.
PROS
- Quiet and smooth feeling
- Good in wet conditions
- Excellent price
CONS
- Noisy
- Tread wears unevenly
- Tread wears out quickly
Bridgestone Turanza EL400-02 Radial Tire
These all-season touring tires are designed for sedans, vans, and sporty coupes. They provide traction all-year round on dry, wet, and lightly snow-covered roads. The symmetric tread design features straight circumferential grooves for traction and to prevent noise and hydroplaning. The internal twin steel belts add stability and strength for a more comfortable ride.
The Turanza EL400-02s are good quality tires and are excellent for summer driving. They have good cornering and handling dynamics in dry conditions. Also, they are pretty good when it comes to wet traction and are not prone to hydroplaning.
PROS
- Excellent performance in dry conditions
- Good cornering and handling
- Decent traction in rain
CONS
- Noisy
- Not good in winter
- Tread wears quickly
Michelin Energy Saver All-Season Radial Tire
These are Michelin’s most fuel-efficient, all-season passenger tires and are designed for hybrid drivers, such as owners of Toyota Camry Hybrids. They provide traction on dry, wet, and lightly snow-covered roads and provide low rolling resistance. The silica-based tread rubber keeps the tires cool and more fuel efficient.
The ride is smooth and a lot quieter than some competitive tires, and they show minimal wear based on their mileage. The symmetric design and siped tread blocks promote better handling, stopping, and traction without compromising on fuel efficiency. The circumferential and lateral grooves expel water to combat hydroplaning and increase traction in wet conditions.
PROS
- Fuel-efficient
- Minimal wear over time
- Decent traction in wet conditions
CONS
- Not good in snow or ice
- Noisy
- Road bumps are easy to feel
Firestone FR710 Radial Tire
These all-season tires have grooves and deep shoulder slots for better traction on both wet and dry roads as well as in light snow. The continuous shoulder ribs increase tread life, while the wide footprint provides a comfortable ride. They are OE equipment for several sedans, coupes, vans, pickups, crossovers, and SUVs.
The tires run very smoothly on many different types of road surfaces, particularly in dry conditions. They also track well on wet pavement and in the rain. Overall, they provide good control and feel great on the car.
PROS
- Smooth ride
- Good in wet and dry conditions
- Good handling
CONS
- May leak air
- Noisy
- Tread may wear down rather quickly
Kumho Solus TA31 All-Season Radial Tire
These all-season tires are designed for sedans, crossovers, and sporty coupes. They combine responsive handling with durability, comfort, and traction, even in light snow, due to their five-rib symmetric design and large shoulder blocks. Four circumferential grooves and lateral notches resist hydroplaning, while the sipes promote traction on wet roads.
They are excellent tires for the price, and they feel good around town and on the highway. Their symmetric tread pattern decreases rolling resistance as well as vibration, noise, and fuel consumption. They handle well in the rainy spring weather, and they grip really well on curvy roads.
PROS
- Good traction on wet roads
- Great value
- Good fuel economy
CONS
- Noisy at high speeds
- Tread may wear earlier than anticipated
- Not good in deep snow
Toyota Camry Tire Buying Guide & FAQs
Toyota Camrys are practical and dependable. They are also very durable (some models have survived over 400,000 miles). Newer Camrys are a lot of fun to drive due to their improved handling and precise steering. They’re also desirable because they have high resale values. With all these positive attributes, it’s no surprise that they’re so popular.
One of the best ways to keep your Camry operating at its best is by replacing worn-out tires with new ones. We understand that there are a lot of options available, and it can be hard to narrow down the list. This buying guide details the types of tires you should consider as well as features to look for, tips to consider, and answers to some frequently asked questions about Toyota Camry tires.
Benefits of Tires for a Toyota Camry
Tires wear out over time, so they need to be replaced from time to time. If you don’t purchase new Toyota Camry tires on a regular basis, you risk getting into an accident because the tread wears down. New tires improve traction in a variety of conditions, even when roads are wet, dry, or snowy.
Note that some tires are better in the snow and ice than others, so choose accordingly. You can opt for high-performance, all-season, summer, or winter tires, depending on your preferences. Ultimately, new tires make the ride smoother, which is particularly important if you take a lot of road trips.
No matter what type of tire you choose, new ones will boost performance. They help with acceleration, braking, and cornering. If you want your Camry to handle better, new tires are essential. In addition, they can promote better gas mileage because worn-out tires with uneven tread patterns are less efficient.
- They make driving safer.
- They increase performance.
- They provide better gas mileage.
- They make driving more comfortable.
Types of Tires for a Toyota Camry
There is no one-size-fits-all option when it comes to purchasing new tires for your Toyota Camry. There are a lot of different types on the market, and what you get depends on the climate in which you live and the type of driving that you do. Check out the various types of tires below.
- All-Season Tires
All-season tires are manufactured to provide optimal comfort and handling at highway speeds as well as dependable traction in a variety of conditions. They typically have symmetrical tread patterns and circumferential grooves that provide a good grip when roads are wet.
They are the most popular types of tires because they have a decent tread life, are quieter compared to other types of tires, and can be used throughout the year. They are available in numerous sizes and fit sedans, pickups, SUVs, and more. They are a great option if you live in areas with a moderate climate.
- Touring Tires
Touring tires, or grand touring tires, are geared towards performance sport and sedan vehicles and drivers who favor handling over other attributes. They provide all-season traction and a comfortable ride as well as added handling capabilities. They usually have higher speed ratings compared to all-season tires and feature asymmetrical tread patterns.
While these tires are decent in various road conditions, they are largely designed for performance versus comfort. They are available in several options, and it can be challenging to narrow down the right touring tire for your vehicle. Experts recommend researching all the possibilities and taking your driving style into consideration before making a purchase.
- Summer Tires
Summer tires are designed for speed and agility and are common on high-performance vehicles. They are more responsive than all-season tires and provide increased braking and cornering capabilities. They usually have specialized rubber compounds and tread patterns that make handling more precise.
They do not provide all-season traction and work best in warm weather, whether it’s wet or dry. They usually have solid contact patches, circumferential grooves to resist hydroplaning, and little to no siping. Summer tires are rather flexible, which makes them more grippy. They also have more shallow tread depths for added stability.
- Winter Tires
The best thing about winter tires is that they provide optimum traction in cold temperatures under 45 degrees Fahrenheit. They are available in a wide variety of sizes and fit on a wide variety of vehicles. Winter tires have deep circumferential grooves and heavy siping to dislodge snow and slush.
When it’s really cold, the rubber remains flexible, which improves grip. The siping on the tread helps the tires bite into the snow and ice. The aggressive tread pattern also aids in preventing snow from building up. In addition, winter tires respond better to heavy braking. They are also better equipped to handle hydroplaning and maneuver better in the snow.
What to Look for When Buying Tires for a Toyota Camry
Once you decide what type of tire you want to put on your Camry, you need to look at the characteristics to make sure it meets your needs. A tire’s grip and traction is directly related to factors such as the stiffness of the sidewall, the tread pattern, and whether or not it has siping. You also need to make sure you purchase the correct size.
- Size
One of the most important things to consider is the tire’s size. The size is important because you want to make sure the tires don’t rub against the suspension or body panels. Check your owner’s manual or look on the driver-side door jamb to determine the proper specs. The sidewall of your existing tires may not be OEM or provide the information you need.
You don’t want to put unnecessary strain on the transmission and driveline components, so tire size is critical. You can switch tire sizes if you upgrade the wheels, but you need to make sure the new tire and wheel setup are as close to factory as possible. That way the tires don’t rub on the wheel well or other parts of the vehicle.
- Sidewall Construction
Not all tires have the same sidewall construction. Some tires have stiffer sidewalls, which are more responsive and provide more control and a faster turn-in response compared to other tires. This feature is preferred by automotive enthusiasts, who want more response in their tires. However, stiffer sidewalls are not the most comfortable.
Ride quality is directly related to a tire’s sidewall stiffness. Softer sidewalls are more comfortable. You will also feel more bumps and holes when you’re driving on low-profile tires with shorter sidewalls versus tires with taller sidewalls. However, tires with taller sidewalls will not have as good of a turn-in response.
- Tread Pattern
Tires have three different types of tread patterns: symmetrical, asymmetrical, and directional. Symmetrical means the tires have a uniform design. The continuous grooves/independent lugs are the same across the entire tire. It’s very common and used largely on passenger cars that are not geared towards performance. This tread pattern is durable and relatively quiet. Tires with symmetrical tread can also be rotated several ways, prolonging their lifespan.
Sports cars often use tires with asymmetrical tire tread, which mixes tread patterns for optimal grip on wet and dry roads. The large tread blocks enable increased cornering capability on dry roads. These tires must be positioned a certain way on the car, but they can be rotated in a variety of patterns.
- Sipes
The sipes are the slits or cuts in the tread blocks. They are designed to improve traction when roads are wet or covered in snow. You will find sipes largely on winter tires, but they are not uncommon on all-season tires. Sipes create biting edges that open up when they contact the road. This enables the tire to expel water, slush, and snow from the treads for a better grip.
Unfortunately, sipes are not great when it comes to handling. They can make the drive seem squirrely and not as solid when the road is warm and dry. Ultra-high performance and track tires do not feature sipes.
- Treadwear Warranty
Most well-known tire brands provide treadwear warranties on their products. Generally, the number provided will let you know the expected lifespan of a particular tire compared to others produced by the same company. However, it’s not uncommon for this number to be created by the manufacturer’s marketing department.
Most treadwear warranties aren’t as useful as you’d expect. They include a lot of rules, and often you’ll only receive a percentage of what the tire originally cost. Also, oftentimes the money you get back must be used to buy an identical replacement tire, which you may not want because the tread on that tire didn’t hold up in the first place.
Directional/unidirectional tread is designed to roll in one direction. Arrows often point towards the proper direction. This tread pattern displaces water so that the tires do not hydroplane. They need to be rotated front to back because they are manufactured to perform optimally on a specific side.
Tips for Buying and Using Tires on a Toyota Camry
There are many things you can do to extend the lifespan of your new tires. First, check the air pressure on a monthly basis. Make sure the tires are cold, and check the fuel-filler door, the door jamb, or the owner’s manual to determine the proper air pressure. Don’t use the tire sidewall information because that’s the tire’s maximum pressure.
Also, routinely check the tires to see if they exhibit any cuts, cracks, or bulges on the tread or sidewall. If you notice these issues, then the tire needs to be replaced immediately. Look for uneven tread wear as well. This could indicate that your vehicle’s alignment is off or the suspension is worn. Consult a professional to examine these components. He or she should also do a once over before mounting new tires so they don’t wear prematurely.
In addition, don’t overload your vehicle. Stay within the weight capacity suggested by the manufacturer. You can find this information on the door jamb. Tires wear out quicker if the load is higher than the maximum limit.
- Check the air pressure monthly.
- Regularly examine your tires, and look for irregularities.
- Don’t overload your vehicle.
Our Top Pick
Our pick for the best Toyota Camry tires is the Goodyear Eagle LS-2 Radial Tire. These all-season tires are smooth and quiet and perform well in most weather conditions, including light snow. They are grippy when roads are wet, and they are durable at high speeds. They also have a long lifespan.
