Automakers are eliminating spare tires to save space, weight, and cost, instead providing run-flats or just a can of sealant and an inflator for emergencies. And as we saw at the recent SEMA show, aftermarket suppliers are getting into the act with similar emergency kits for car owners.

We always publish the prices of the tires we test. But that often leads to a lot of comments from our readers and the manufacturers, mostly asking how we bought tires for so little (or so much) money. Actually, most people fail to read the fine print. And this leads us to how you can save money when buying your next car tires.

With winter now just weeks away, this is a good time to plan for your winter tires. Our tire ratings have been updated, and include a wide range of all-season, performance all-season, and dedicated winter tires, including notable studded tires.

With the change of seasons, many consumers are looking for a change of tires. Fortunately, we just posted the results from our largest tire-testing project to date--78 family car tires--with several newly introduced models and many old favorites. And as the ratings show, performance varies significantly, even within tire categories.

As our writers complete the report on our latest family car tire test results, the engineers are putting together the next testing program: ultra-high-performance (UHP) tires. And they want your help.

Record heat has raised more than temperatures this summers, as the nation struggles to retain its cool. Just as heat takes its toll on people and electric bills, it also impacts car reliability and safety. By some accounts, tire blowouts are on the rise, creating dangers for travelers. But you can reduce this risk, if you follow some simple maintenance tips.

With prices that can be a fraction the cost of a new set, buying used tires might seem like a great way to save a few bucks on car maintenance. But there's more to buying tires than finding a set with plenty of tread at a good price. In fact, buying used has dangers that don't always meet the eye.

Consumer Reports has nearly completed testing all-season tires—a mammoth year-long task to see how family sedan tires measure up. Although the analysis continues, our engineers have seen tires stand out in different rated factor as they continue their number-crunching quest for the best tire. Below, we share highlights and insights from the H-rated tires in the test program.

Not long after we completed our truck-tire evaluation last year, Goodyear introduced a new tire line specifically geared for crossover and traditional body-on-frame SUVs, as well light-duty pickups. Called Assurance CS TripleTred, it's part of a family of Assurance tires that also includes the Assurance TripleTred All-Season and Assurance ComforTred Touring car tires, models we're evaluating for an upcoming report this fall.

The evaluation of 79 different tire models scheduled for the November CR tire report is winding down. (We reported 80 tires in this group previously but eliminated one model.) Along the way, we've had a few surprises.

A few days after we bought our 2012 BMW Z4 for testing, we noticed—thanks to the car's tire-pressure monitoring system—that the left rear tire was losing air. The tire would start the day at its recommended 44 psi, but by the next morning it was down to about 34 psi. Somehow, 10 pounds of air a day was going missing for no obvious reason.

In case you don't happen to have a copy of the Rubber Manufacturers Association 2012 calendar handy, we're right smack dab in the middle of Tire Safety Week. While the tire industry association's designation of June 3-9 for this annual holiday may not inspire much fanfare, it's as a good reminder as any that a few minutes spent once a month on tire care is a proven money saver and way to keep the whole family safer on the roadways.

Nissan has rolled out a new feature that makes it easier to keep your tires properly inflated. Just grab an air hose and start adding air as you normally would, and the Easy Fill Tire Alert system will toot the horn once you've reached the proper pressure.

At the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, the team continues to work on evaluating some 80 different tire models scheduled for a tire story and Ratings release. Since we last updated our blog readers, the test group has grown slightly from the 77, when we were still in the process of buying tires. Presently we've completed our snow traction and braking tests on ice, dry and wet braking and cornering, hydroplaning resistance, and rolling resistance. Still in progress is our vehicle tread-wear evaluation and our emergency handling assessment. Here's what we've found so far:

Consumer Reports has long advocated that drivers check their car's tire pressure monthly to prevent uneven tire wear and tire failure. Now, a new study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reinforces that advice by determining that vehicles driving on tires underinflated by more than 25 percent are three times more likely to be involved in a crash related to tire problems than vehicles with proper inflation. And tires underinflated up to 25 percent run the risk of overheating, leading to failure, and at the very least adversely affecting handling and tread life.