local tire shop wants to sell me Bridgestone tires

[musiclawyer]

....ostensibly top of the line for my 4x4 Santa Fe. Is there a site where you can ascertain quality of new tires?

[flvegan]

1. Tire Rack

www.tirerack.com

Sometimes, you can get tires shipped, then pay a garage to mount them for you.

[Oeditpus Rex]

2. Yup

http://www.1stoptireshop.com/

Everything you need to know is embossed on a tire's sidewall. The trick is knowing how to read it.

[CanuckAmok]

3. Bridgestones are fine.

What't important to know is the type of tire.

Is it a "P" rating or an "LT" rating? "P" means "passenger vehicle" and "LT" means "light truck". LT tires are usually more durable, and have stronger, thicker sidewalls. They're generally more expensive, too, so don't pay LT prices for P tires. They look almost identical, so be sure to look for "LT" or "P" on the sidewall.

Also, if you're never going to leave pavement, go with an A/T (all-terrain). Don't get an M/M (mud-terrain) or X/T (half-way between all-terrain and mud-terrain) unless you plan on being in the dirt/mud/rocks a bunch.