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With so many different options when it comes to picking tires, from size to the performance, it can be a minefield knowing which ones are correct for your car and the conditions you are going to be driving in.
For example, take the size of tire you need to buy. It is important to know this so you can call auto shops for quotes if you need to replace it. So how do we find this out? It is easier than you may think since the size and service of your tire is actually printed on its outer side in a combination of letters and numbers, saying something along the lines of " P 215/60 R15 89S."
So what does this all mean? The ‘P’ means that your tire is a "P-metric" which is designed for cars that are primarily used as passenger vehicles. These are the most common tires in circulation, although you may see some with no leading letter which means they were manufactured in Europe. The numbers which follow are the tire’s section width and sidewall aspect ratio. The cross section width is in millimeters and for the aspect ratio (the ratio of your tire’s width to height), the higher the number, the taller the sidewall and vice versa. The letter ‘R’ following the aspect ratio simply means that it is a radial tire, which almost all tires are. The number 15 signifies the diameter of your tire in inches and tells you what tire and wheel diameter to match together. Finally, the ‘89S’ in the example above shows the load-bearing capacity (89) and speed rating (S) of the tire. Obviously repair shops know all this but once you have a better understanding of the size of tire on your vehicle, you will be able to do some research to help find the best price if you ever need to replace any.
Moving away from the size of your tires, there are also different designs and specifications that can be used for a range of driving conditions. These usually vary between ‘all season’ tires, which tend to come as standard issue on new vehicles as they are the best all-around option, to ‘off-road’ tires which, as their name suggests, are designed for use in difficult terrains rather than on the highway. Winter tires are also a great investment for those of us who live in areas prone to bad weather. They are made of soft rubber that heats up when driving in colder conditions to give your car better grip on the road. When buying new tires, discuss how you use your vehicle with your auto shop and ask them to advise you on the best type for your needs.
It is important to check your tires regularly for wear and tear as driving with bald tires is not only illegal but extremely dangerous. If you had a chip in your windshield you would look for an auto glass repair service so it is common sense to replace a tire that may be past its best.
Bruce Giles writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
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