General Tires
General Tire was founded in 1915 in Akron, Ohio — as the General Tire & Rubber Company, built by William F. O'Neil and Winfred Fouse on a simple idea: sell quality replacement tires directly to everyday drivers instead of chasing car-company contracts. That independent-dealer, driver-first streak is still in the brand's DNA.
In 1987, Continental AG of Germany bought General's tire division. That makes General the value line in the Continental family: Continental compounds and engineering, General prices. If you like what Continental does but not what Continental costs, this is the brand to look at.
Grabber A/TX — the headline tire
Grabber A/TX — the all-terrain that built General's modern reputation. Three-peak mountain snowflake rated, studdable where permitted, and quiet enough on the highway that people forget it's an all-terrain. This is the tire for the Ontario pickup or SUV that works all week and gets dirty on the weekend. It's the General we sell most, and the one we'd put on our own trucks.
The rest of the Grabber truck line
Grabber APT — the milder all-terrain for the SUV or light truck that spends most of its life on pavement but still sees cottage roads and job sites.
Grabber X3 — the mud-terrain. Aggressive tread, serious off-road manners. For the truck that's actually built for the trail, not the mall parking lot.
Grabber HTS60 — the highway tire for trucks and SUVs. Long-wearing, quiet, and sure-footed in the rain — the right call for the pickup that lives on the 401.
General winter tires
AltiMAX Arctic 12 — the studdable winter tire for cars and crossovers. This is the General winter most GTA drivers should be looking at: proper snow and ice traction without the premium-brand price.
Grabber Arctic and Grabber Arctic LT — the winter line for pickups and SUVs, including LT sizes for the heavier trucks.
Honest note: if you run one set year-round, a dedicated winter like the Arctic 12 still out-brakes any all-weather on GTA ice in January. We say it on every brand page because it's true on every brand page.
All-weather and touring
AltiMAX 365 AW — the all-weather for the driver who wants one set all year. Three-peak mountain snowflake rated, so it's legal for the Quebec winter tire law and honest in real snow — but see the note above about dedicated winters.
AltiMAX RT45 — the touring all-season for the sedan or crossover that just needs to be quiet, comfortable, and long-wearing. The sensible family-car tire.
G-MAX performance
G-MAX AS-07 — the performance all-season for the sports sedan or hot hatch you drive year-round. Sharp enough to be fun, civilized enough for the commute.
G-MAX RS — the summer performance tire. For the car that gets parked when the snow flies and driven hard the rest of the year.
General tires for Tesla and EVs
Honest answer: General doesn't sell a dedicated EV tire. What matters for your Tesla is load index — EVs are heavy, and the wrong load rating is a safety issue, not a comfort preference. We verify load index on every EV quote because most shops don't. A properly-rated General works fine on an EV; we'll confirm the exact size and rating for your car.
Rebates
General runs rebate promotions through the year on the Grabber and AltiMAX lines. Check our current tire rebates before you buy; we'll make sure you get every dollar you're owed. Our tire promos page has this season's other offers.
The bottom line
General is the working-truck value play in the Continental family: over a century of American tire history, German engineering since 1987, and prices that stay well under the premium names. The Grabber A/TX is the headline — the all-terrain Ontario trucks keep coming back to. The AltiMAX winters and the G-MAX line earn their keep too. Pairing tires with fresh wheels? See our tire and wheel packages. Text (647) 819-0490 with your tire size and we'll tell you straight whether General or something else fits your vehicle.
Ready to price out a set of Generals?
We sell and install a wide range of General tires across the GTA — book a mobile installation at your driveway, on your schedule. Text or call (647) 819-0490 with your tire size and we'll give you a straight quote — no upsell.
FAQ
Q: Who owns General Tire? A: Continental AG of Germany, since 1987. General Tire was founded in 1915 in Akron, Ohio as the General Tire & Rubber Company, and today it operates as the value line in the Continental family.
Q: Is General Tire a good tire brand? A: Yes, with honest expectations. General is Continental's value brand — Continental compounds and engineering at prices below the premium names. Its Grabber truck line and AltiMAX winter line have loyal followings. It's positioned as a value and mid-tier brand, not a premium one.
Q: What's the best General tire for trucks and SUVs? A: The Grabber A/TX for all-terrain duty — it's 3PMSF-rated and studdable. The Grabber APT is the milder all-terrain, the Grabber X3 is the mud-terrain, and the Grabber HTS60 is the highway tire. Tell us your vehicle and how you drive, and we'll match the tire.
Q: What's the best General tire for winter? A: The AltiMAX Arctic 12 for cars and crossovers — a studdable dedicated winter. For pickups and SUVs, the Grabber Arctic and Grabber Arctic LT. If you want one set all year, the AltiMAX 365 AW all-weather is 3PMSF-rated, but a dedicated winter still stops shorter on ice.
Q: Does General make an all-weather tire? A: Yes — the AltiMAX 365 AW. It's three-peak mountain snowflake rated, so it handles real snow and meets Quebec's winter tire law. Honest note: a dedicated winter tire still out-brakes it on ice.
Q: Does General make tires for EVs? A: General doesn't sell a dedicated EV tire, but a properly load-rated General works fine on an EV. EVs are heavy, so we verify load index on every EV quote — the wrong rating is a safety issue. Tell us your car and we'll confirm the exact size and rating.
Q: What warranty does General Tire offer? A: Most General lines carry a limited treadwear warranty, and the terms vary by model — Canadian terms can differ from US figures you see online. We'll confirm the exact coverage on your quote before you buy.