General Tires Review - Brand Guide

About General Tires

If you are shopping for tires, there is a high chance you will come across General Tire. Established in 1915, General Tire is a popular tire brand, which manufactures a wide range of tires.

It manufactures high-quality and reliable tires, engineered to handle a wide range of weather conditions and terrains.

It produces tires for almost all types of vehicles. So, whether you are looking for passenger tires, off-road tires, all-season tires or all-terrain tires, there is a high chance you will find a tire from this brand that fits your vehicle.

And as noted above, General Tire is a mid-range tire brand. While its tires may not be the most expensive on the market, they are not the cheapest either.

Simply put, its tires aim to strike a balance between affordability, durability and performance. Read on to learn more about this tire brand so that you can decide whether it’s the right choice for you.

Popular Tires from General Tire

From ultra-high performance tires to standard all-season tires, summer tires to off-roading tires, General Tire produces tires in almost all categories.

It’s also among the few tire brands that produce tires for commercial service. Some of its most popular tires include:

Altimax RT43

If you drive a truck, an SUV or just a regular car and you are looking for a reliable all-season tire, then you should check out the Altimax RT43.

The Altimax RT43 is designed to deliver excellent performance all year round, in almost all types of terrains.

Its availability in a wide range of sizes is one of the reasons that make this tire so popular in the all-season category.

The Altimax RT43 is currently available in numerous sizes, ranging from 13 inches to 20 inches.

And with such a large size selection, it will cover the majority of minivans, mid-size sedans, mid-size crossovers, compact crossovers and some sports coupes.

Dry Performance

While the Altimax RT43 may not be the best all-season tire on the market, it will be hard to find one that can compete with it at this price point.

Most of the tires that perform better than the Altimax RT43 are available at a higher price.

It delivers outstanding handling while its steering responsiveness is equally great. Its traction on dry roads is also dependable, even if you are driving a vehicle with a more powerful engine.

Overall, it does a great job when it comes to driving on dry roads. With the Altimax RT43, you are assured of a reliable, safe and comfortable driving experience in dry conditions.

Wet and Slippery Conditions

The Altimax RT43 is, without a doubt, one of the best all-season touring tires when it comes to rainy conditions.

Its hydroplaning resistance is excellent, even when you encounter puddles of water during your ride.

Also, its traction is great in wet and slippery conditions while delivering short braking distances.

Snowy Roads

All-season tires are not engineered for heavy wintry conditions. And the same case applies to the Altimax RT43.

However, it provides reliable traction and dependable braking on roads with lighter snow. Its performance on light-snowy roads is one of the best in the category.

But this doesn’t mean you should also use it in areas with heavy winters. If you live in such areas, then it will be highly advisable to buy a dedicated snow or winter tire.

Ride Comfort

According to drivers who have used this tire, the Altimax RT43 is one of the most comfortable tires for its price.

It delivers a refined and comfortable ride, even when you compare it to pricier grand-touring tires.

It absorbs bumps and potholes comfortably while delivering a quiet ride, even when your vehicle is moving at highway speeds.

Should You Buy the Altimax RT43?

If you are looking for a reliable, reasonably priced and durable all-season tire that will deliver a capable performance all-year-around, then you can never go wrong with the Altimax RT43.

General Grabber ATX

Released in March 2018, the General Grabber ATX is an all-terrain tire, designed for SUVs, work vans and light-duty trucks.

It’s engineered to deliver an impressive off-road performance as well as a quiet and refined on-road ride.

Performance on Dry Roads

While the Grabber ATX tends to lean more towards off-road driving, its on-road performance is equally reliable.

It offers adequate grip, decent grip, as well as powerful braking. Its high-speed stability is outstanding.

However, the Grabber ATX may not be the best choice for drivers who spend most of their time on the highway.

So, if drive regularly on paved roads, then it will be advisable to consider other all-terrain tires.

Wet and Slippery Roads

When it comes to wet and slippery roads, the Grabber ATX remains a highly capable tire.

Even when it’s raining heavily, this tire will provide a safe and reliable driving experience, thanks to superior traction.

Snowy Roads

As much as the Grabber ATX is not a winter or snow tire, it performs great in deep snow. Its performance on packed ice and snow is also admirable.

But if you live in one of the areas that experience harsh winter conditions, then the Grabber ATX may not be the best tire choice. Instead, you should just opt for winter or snow tires.

Ride Quality

Most all-terrain tires that lean more towards off-road driving tend to be noisy on the highway.

However, that’s not the case with the Grabber ATX. It's surprisingly quiet and comfortable.

Also, its ride quality is outstanding even when you are driving over small potholes or even bigger bumps.

Should You Buy the Grabber ATX?

With the Grabber ATX, you are getting a reliable, durable and affordable all-terrain tire, which performs excellently in almost all areas.

It delivers an excellent off-road performance as well as a quiet, smooth and comfortable on-road ride.

G-MAX AS-05

Launched in 2017, the G-MAX AS-05 is an ultra-high performance all-season tire, released to replace the G-MAX AS-03.

And just like its predecessor, the G-MAX AS-05 is renowned for its great performance, especially on dry roads.

It’s a decent tire for drivers who are looking for a UHP all-season tire that can deliver enhanced responsiveness, dependable grip in numerous conditions as well as a comfortable ride.

Performance on Dry Roads

The G-MAX AS-05 delivers an outstanding driving experience when it comes to dry roads.

According to drivers who have driven on this tire, its steering is precise and crisp while its traction on dry roads is excellent.

Also, it delivers powerful and precise braking, even when you are cornering at high speeds.

Overall, the G-MAX AS-05 will not disappoint you whenever you are driving with it in dry conditions.

Wet and Slippery Conditions

If you’ve ever driven on UHP tires, you may have noticed that most of them tend to lose some traction in wet conditions. But with the G-MAX AS-05, such issues will not bother you.

Its tread compound features advanced high-silica, which helps to enhance the tire’s traction and grip in damp conditions and slippery surfaces.

Also, it resists hydroplaning well, thus helping it to maintain an adequate grip on the road all through.

Should You Buy the G-MAX AS-05?

If you drive a sporty crossover, a powerful sedan, a sporty compact car or a sporty coupe, then the G-MAX AS-05 will be an ideal match for your vehicle.

When you combine this tire with your vehicle’s powerful engine, your car will feel alive right away.

Grabber X3

The General Grabber X3 is currently one of the best off-road tires on the market. It delivers outstanding traction on loose dirt and rocks as well as excellent traction in mud.

General Tire has provisioned this tire with a sturdy and durable compound, which helps it to resist abrasions, punctures, bruises and cuts posed by various off-road driving hazards.

Off-Road Driving

As highlighted above, the General Grabber X3 is an extreme off-road tire. And as you may expect, its off-road driving performance is top-notch.

It offers outstanding traction in muddy conditions, which can be attributed to its aggressive tread pattern.

It also performs well on rocky surfaces and in terrains with loose dirt while crawling over rocks with ease.

And with its tough and sturdy construction, you can expect this tire to resist abrasions, cuts, punctures and bruises from rocks or tree stumps.

On-Road Performance

Considering the General Grabber X3 is specifically designed for off-road driving, its on-road driving performance may not be the best.

However, it provides a reliable and safe driving performance on dry roads with decent highway stability and a nice cornering grip.

Should You Buy the General Grabber X3?

If you drive a truck, a 4x4 or any other off-roading vehicle and you are looking for a tire that will deliver enhanced off-road performance even on demanding terrains, then the General Grabber X3 should be on your shortlist.

Design Features and Technologies

General Tire has equipped its tires with several design features and advanced technologies.

These design features and unique technologies are designed to enhance the tires’ performance in different terrains, surfaces and conditions while boosting their durability.

Some of the design features and innovations that you will find in tires from this brand include:

Advanced Tread Compounds

The materials used to make a tire’s tread will determine how it performs in various conditions as well as how long it lasts.

All tires from General Tire feature a sturdy tread compound, designed to prevent damage from various road hazards.

Overall, these advanced tread compounds will help the tire to withstand harsh terrains, resulting in a durable and long-lasting tire.

StabiliTread Technology

Vehicles tend to lose some control and stability, whenever they are cornering at high speeds. And this may lead to crashes and collisions.

To prevent such issues, General Tire has outfitted most of its tires with its exclusive StabiliTread technology.

It features a wider contact patch, which delivers a firmer grip on the surface thus ensuring the tire maintains contact with the road during high-speed cornering.

Smart Grip Technology

General Tire produces tires that can provide reliable grip and traction on a wide range of conditions and surfaces.

To this end, it equips its tires with its proprietary Smart Grip Technology. As the name suggests, this technology is designed to enhance the tires’ performance and handling in dry, wet and snowy conditions.

Deep Sipes

Its all-season tires feature wide circumferential grooves and directional tread patterns, which combine to prevent the risk of hydroplaning, for enhanced wet traction.

While most of the all-season tires on the market have sipes, they may not be as deep as those found in tires from this brand.

So, if you are driving in rain or you happen to encounter wet surfaces, you can trust these tires to provide you with adequate traction, steering responsiveness and top-notch handling.

General Tires Warranties and Guarantees

Almost all tire manufacturers offer tire warranties, designed to cushion the buyer against loss, in case the tire wears out prematurely or suffers damage due to manufacturer-related defects.

And the same case applies to tires from this brand. General Tires has backed its tires with strong warranties and guarantees, to ensure buyers get value for their money. They include:

Standard Limited Warranty

General Tires offers a workmanship and materials warranty, which extends for 6 years from the date of purchase.

So, if you purchase a tire from this brand and it becomes unserviceable due to a manufacturer-related defect, then you should get a replacement.

The replacement can either be free or done on a prorated basis, depending on when the tire has become unserviceable.

If the tire becomes unserviceable during its first 2/32-inch or original treadwear or within 12 months from the date of purchase, then General Tire offers to give you a free tire replacement.

General Tire will replace it with a comparable new one. Also, the company will take care of mounting and balancing charges. However, the buyer will have to pay applicable taxes.

If the tire damage occurs outside the free replacement period, then General Tire will replace it on a prorated basis.

Temporary Spare Tires Warranty

General Tire’s standard limited warrant also covers temporary spare tires. Under this warranty, all eligible temporary spare tires are eligible for a free replacement.

The free replacement extends for up to 3 years from the date of purchase or within the tire’s first 1/32-inch of usable treadwear, whichever comes first.

So, if your General Tire temporary spare tire becomes unusable during its first 1/32-inch of the original usable tread or within 3 years from the purchase date, then you should get a free replacement.

And just like the standard tires, the free replacement will also include free mounting and balancing while the buyer will take care of all applicable taxes.

Tread Wear-out Coverage

General Tire also offers a limited tread wear-out coverage for most of its tires. Under this warranty, General Tire offers to replace your tire, if it becomes worn off evenly down to its last 2/32-inch of tread before it delivers the warranted mileage.

But unlike the standard limited warranty, there is no free replacement period under this warranty. Any replacement will be done on a prorated basis.

The prorated amount the buyer will pay is obtained by dividing the mileage the tire has delivered with the warranted mileage. You will then multiply this figure with the dealer’s current selling price for the tire.

It’s important to note that you must provide proof that you have completed a rotation schedule as outlined in the specific tire’s warranty.

If your tires have gone for more than 6,000 miles without any rotation, then they will not be covered by the tread wear-out warranty.

Also, tires that have been in use for more than 3 years from the date of purchase will not be eligible for this warranty, even if they have not delivered the warranted mileage.

Furthermore, tires mounted on commercial service vehicles, police cars, non-passenger service vehicles, and emergency vehicles, are not eligible for this warranty.

Customer Satisfaction Trial

All light truck tires and passenger tires from General Tire come with a customer satisfaction guarantee, ranging from 30 days to 45 days from the date of purchase.

For instance, the Grabber HTS, the Altimax and the G-Max AS-03 come with a 45-day customer satisfaction trial.

So, if you purchase a set of tires from General Tire and you are not satisfied with their performance, then you are free to replace them within the stipulated duration, whether it’s within 30 days or 45 days.

Upon returning them, you will get a free replacement with a similar set of tires. You can also opt for a different type.  

It’s important to note that tires installed as original equipment are not eligible for the General Tire customer satisfaction trial.

Warranty Exclusions

As noted above, General Tire offers to replace your tires, if they become unserviceable due to a manufacturer-related defect or they wear out prematurely.

However, this doesn’t mean that every tire qualifies under these warranties. General Tire will only replace your tire if it has been properly used and maintained. Some of the possible exclusions include tires damaged by:

• Road hazards
• Improper maintenance or application
• Improper vehicle alignment
• Insufficient or improper tire rotation
• Improper installation and demounting
• Weather damage
• Rim damage or irregularities
• Improper tire storage
• Chemical corrosion
• Misapplication or misuse

Also, General Tire will not replace repaired tires or tires that have been altered in any way.

So, if your tire becomes unserviceable or wears out prematurely because of damage caused by any of the above, then it may not be eligible for replacement.

General Tires vs. Other Brands

If you are in the market for a new set of replacement tires for your truck, crossover, sedan or SUV, you have dozens of different brands to consider.

So, why choose tires from this brand instead of the other options? Here are some of the reasons that may convince you to choose tires from this brand.

Focus on Customer Satisfaction

General Tire is committed to ensuring that its customers are satisfied with its tires. For instance, most tires come with a 45-day customer satisfaction guarantee.

So, if you are not satisfied with your tires for any reason, you are free to return them within 45 days from the date of purchase.

Outside the customer satisfaction guarantee, General Tire also offers several means for its customers to get in touch.

For instance, you can contact its customer support team via phone call, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.

You can also get in touch with General Tire’s customer support representatives on various social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Vast Selection of Tires

When it’s time to purchase a new set of tires for your vehicle, you will come across different types of tires.

You will come across passenger tires, all-season tires, touring tires, all-terrain tires, off-road tires and mud tires, just to name a few. Each type of tire is designed for different driving needs.

And General Tire understands this all too well. It focuses on making sure that every driver can get safe and durable tires. With this tire manufacturer, you can get tires for almost all types of vehicles.

Whether you are looking for passenger tires, light truck tires, SUV tires, winter tires, high-performance tires or commercial tires, General Tire has got you covered.

Support for Commercial Tires

Commercial tires are subjected to different standards pertaining to durability and tread life. And this explains why most tire manufacturers avoid producing commercial tires.

However, General Tire is among the few tire brands that manufacture commercial tires for trailers, trucks, transport vehicles and other vehicles used in commercial service.

Furthermore, its commercial tires are available in a wide range of sizes, designed to fit as many vehicles as possible.

So, if you have been having a hard time finding commercial tires for your vehicle, then you should consider General Tire. There is a high chance this brand has a set of tires that will fit your vehicle.

General Tire Pros

• High-quality yet reasonably-priced tires
• Focus on customer satisfaction
• Solid, all-round performance

General Tire Cons

• Limited selection for performance options

Our Take

General Tire manufactures tires for almost all vehicle types. It focuses on innovation, safety, performance, and durability. And with its rich history in the tire industry, General Tire has established itself as a brand that buyers can trust. So, if you are after high-quality tires at competitive prices, then General Tire will not disappoint you.