For example, the number may read P225/70-R15, 89H:
- P = Passenger Tire (LT = Light Truck)
- 225 = Overall width of the tire in millimeters
- 70 = Sidewall height (distance from rim to tread) as a percentage of the thread width (known as aspect ratio)
- R = Tire construction, this one is Radial (also, B = Belted Bias, D = Diagonal Bias
- 15 = Represents the size of the wheel in inches
- In this example, the tire has the number 89H. This is the weight capacity of the tire. However, in most cases, you will not see this heading on the sidewall.
- A speed rating is sometimes put in front of the R (or B or D). A straight R rating means that it is rated for speeds of up to 100mph. The manufacturer does not recommended this tire for speeds greater than 100 mph. Other speed ratings are: S=112mph, T=118mph, U=124mph, H=130mph, V=149mph, & a Z rated tire is for speeds in excess of 149mph.
- The V and Z rated tires have excellent dry pavement grip/traction but due to their soft rubber compounds, do not have a long life.
- A tread rating indicates how long a tire should last. This figure is written in small letters on the sidewall of your tire. The higher the number, the longer the tire should last. 100 is the basic tread wear rating.
- The traction rating works just like grading - 'A' being the best, 'B' is good, and 'C' is acceptable. This number is also found on the sidewall.
- Temperature ratings work the same - 'A' best, 'B' good, 'C' acceptable. If you drive your car very hard, you want a temperature rating of 'A' because a 'C' would fail faster under these conditions. Again, look for this number on the sidewall.
New tire choices can be overwhelming for car owners.
Suppose you have an SUV and are trying to decide between all season tires or some that are also rated for off-highway. How much do you drive off-road? How important are looks?
Let’s suppose you have a sporty car. You may like to run a high-performance summer tire when the weather’s good. When the weather turns cold, you can put on high-performance winter tires. For the kind of driving you like to do, you want full-on performance tires.
If all-out performance isn’t a big issue, all-season tires are a good compromise that works well for most people.
When it’s time for new tires for your vehicle, visit with a tire professional at Leach Service. Describe your needs and wants. He’ll come up with some selections for you to discuss. And once you settle on a type of tire, there are options for special needs: like pulling a trailer or carrying heavy loads.
Tires are a big purchase for drivers. With so many choices, you’ll be able to get what’s best for you.
Flats, blow outs, skids and longer stopping distances can all be the result of driving around on under-inflated tires. Now, it’s hard to tell when a radial tire is under-inflated but your service technician at Leach Service can help you. The tire may not look low until it gets below 20 pounds – which is significantly under-inflated.
Your newer vehicle might be equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). This technology has been used by race car drivers for years. They are able to head off problems from under inflation by closely monitoring tire pressure on the track.
Obviously, TMPS systems don’t come free for car buyers. U.S. government studies have estimated the net costs of the TPMS system itself, maintaining the system, replacement of worn or broken parts and tire repair cost increases. The costs are partially offset by savings in fuel and tire wear. There’s also a saving in property damage and travel delay. The net cost is estimated to be between $27 and $100. The government predicts fewer fatal accidents. This new safety equipment will help motorists avoid the most common vehicle failure, and possibly a catastrophic accident.