Please help, first time tire purchase for 95 escort...thanks...

[equusrocks]

Ok, I don't know a great deal about tires. Or cars in general. But, I need tires for my 95 escort and am not quite sure what to do/look for. Being a first time tire shopper, I'm afraid I'll end up getting conned into buying something that I don't need. Not my thing I guess. Can anyone either suggest summer/all weather tires for my car (I have winter ones), or point me to some sort of informational website that will give me some key points to look for when tire shopping?? I still have the stock rims, and I'm pretty sure I looked when buying brakes and they were 14". Many thanks.

[drdisque]

if you just do normal driving than a cheap tire from a decently name brand is usually best. I suggest Cooper, Kelly, and Toyo in that price range. Look to spend around $50/tire.

[equusrocks]

Thanks, I'm all set now, and have put in an order for tires online. I paid a little over $50 a tire plus shipping, which was reasonable. However, I do have one more question. Sorry if it's dumb, but I'd rather ask now before the tires are shipped, plus it's nice to know for future reference. A friend gave me a pair of new 175/70R14 Dunlops yesterday. The OE tire is a 175/65R14. Will it matter that much if I use the pair I was given with the pair that I ordered, which are 175/65R14's? What does that middle number mean? Thanks for the help.

[drdisque]

the middle number is the height of the tire in percent of the width.

what it means is the tires your friend gave you are taller than your stock tire size and would throw off your speedometer if you used them on the front and make your car handle (and look) weird no matter where you put them.