| So, you go bring your car in for an oil change and | | | | dealerships will absolutely refuse to put on tires |
| when you pick it up, the mechanic tells you that | | | | that are different than what you are supposed to |
| you need new tires. You don't know what size | | | | have. You are given a tire size specific to your |
| tires you need, what kind to buy, or even why | | | | car and there are no reasons why this should not |
| you need new ones. Do you just trust the | | | | be obliged. They want to fit the manufacturer's |
| mechanic, or do you venture out on your own? | | | | guidelines exactly and that is for your safety. |
| Okay, so you are going to go for new tires, | | | | Make sure you don't try to be adventurous in this |
| where do you begin? | | | | area. When a wrong tire size is put onto your car, |
| First of all, it's not a bad thing to have trust in | | | | you may actually feel that the driving is different |
| your mechanics. They are going to have to fix a | | | | and you should go get it checked out. If you |
| whole lot more than bad tires in the future. But, | | | | happen to buy the wrong tires and bring them to |
| tires are one thing you have a little control over | | | | be installed, don't worry, they will give you the |
| with just a little bit of knowledge. This way you | | | | correct tire size and send you back to return |
| can make sure you are getting exactly what you | | | | them. |
| need for the price you deserve to pay. | | | | It is extremely crucial to maintain your tires. It is |
| The first step is to know why you need new | | | | important to note that tire rotation is crucial for |
| tires. The reality is that all tires wear out | | | | the life of your tires. It is likely that your car will |
| eventually. Obviously if there is a huge hole in | | | | wear each tire a little differently. Perhaps on one |
| your tire, you need a new one. The rule is that if | | | | corner, the inside tread wears a little more quickly |
| there is a puncture that is more than a quarter | | | | than the outside, or vice versa. By rotating the |
| inch deep, you need to replace that tire. Some | | | | tires on a regular basis, the tires wear more easily |
| punctures are fixable, so make sure they are not | | | | and will have a longer life. This is a good thing to |
| trying to pull one over on you for more money. | | | | do not only to get the best use out of your tires, |
| They will gladly show you where the problem is | | | | but also for safety. You really don't want one tire |
| so that you can make a decision together. Be | | | | wearing down completely, while the other ones |
| involved so that you can be sure of your decision. | | | | are okay. So, while inspecting your tires, don't just |
| Another common problem is bald tires. This | | | | check the tread one tire, check for wear on all |
| means that there is not enough tread on your | | | | four tires. |
| tires for good traction. People try to get away | | | | People living in places where it is very hot should |
| with this as much as possible until the tire is | | | | be especially aware of the pressure in their tires. |
| almost gone. This is not a good idea. It is unsafe | | | | Heat can do a number on tires, and so you should |
| to drive with bald tires during any season. There | | | | do all you can to keep your tires in good shape. |
| are a couple of tricks to knowing when your tires | | | | On average, it is normal to have your tire |
| are bald. Every tire has what are called wear bars. | | | | pressure be 30-35 pounds per square inch. This |
| These are narrow bands in the grooves across | | | | varies according to the type of vehicle and tire |
| the tire's tread. When the wear bars are even | | | | you have. You should obtain this knowledge when |
| with the tread, the tire is bald and you need a | | | | buying new tires, especially where and when it is |
| new one. Another handy trick that you can | | | | hot outside. Every tire does have a |
| definitely do on your own is called the penny trick. | | | | recommended tire pressure. |
| You place a penny in the shallowest groove of | | | | It is said that tire pressure should be checked in |
| the tread with Lincoln's head upside down. If you | | | | the morning so that it may be adjusted |
| can still see the top of Lincoln's head, then the tire | | | | accordingly as the day gets hotter or colder. The |
| is bald. Do not ignore bald tires. You are now | | | | rule of thumb is that for every ten degrees |
| aware of how to determine if the tires are bald | | | | Fahrenheit the temperature changes, the tire |
| or not, so use that information to make better | | | | pressure will change by one psi. What this means |
| decisions. | | | | is that if it is sixty degrees out in the morning and |
| Now you know that you absolutely need new | | | | your tire pressure is at thirty-three psi, when the |
| tires, so what kind of tires do you buy? There | | | | temperature rises to eighty degrees, your tire |
| are all kinds of tires that are made for all kinds of | | | | pressure will be at thirty-five psi. You should be |
| specific reasons. There are tires for durability, | | | | aware of the temperature in your area and know |
| aggressive handling, and snow tires, to name a | | | | whether to increase or to decrease your tire |
| few. The everyday person not looking for fancy | | | | pressure when necessary. You definitely do not |
| customization is recommended to buy an | | | | want your pressure to be too high or too low, |
| all-season tire. This is the kind of tire that comes | | | | both being unsafe conditions for driving. Many |
| on vehicles when they are purchased, unless | | | | convenience stores do offer "free air" where you |
| otherwise asked. It is also commonly | | | | can check your tire pressure and adjust it as |
| recommended that you buy the same kind, | | | | needed. It's very quick and easy and worth it in |
| brand, and size of tire that you purchased with | | | | the end. |
| the vehicle. It is important to take note of that | | | | If a tire gets too hot and there is too much |
| information. Even if you are unsure about what | | | | pressure, the tread can actually separate from |
| you are doing, take down the size and the type | | | | the belts on the tire. This is more likely to happen |
| of tire so you know at least a little bit about it. | | | | with the addition of high speeds. Driving on a |
| Then you and your mechanic will be on the same | | | | highway and losing your tire's tread can easily |
| page. Also, once the tires are purchased, it is | | | | cause an accident. Do your part to keep yourself |
| imperative that you have a mechanic install the | | | | and others safe. |
| new tires. You want the job done right. | | | | Another potential risk is that of hydroplaning. This |
| Tire sizes can be a little daunting to try to | | | | happens mostly when your tires do not have |
| understand. While it's definitely important to know | | | | enough tread. What happens in hydroplaning is |
| what size tires go on your car, it doesn't hurt to | | | | that too much water builds between the tires on |
| know exactly what all those numbers and letters | | | | your car and the road. Water pressure in front of |
| mean. I will use this example to run through each | | | | the wheel forces a wedge of water causing it to |
| part of the tire size: P185/60R 14 82 H. | | | | actually lift from the road. This leads to the loss |
| The "P" in this example stands for passenger. This | | | | of traction and you are then at the mercy of the |
| tire would go on a passenger car. You may also | | | | water. You basically skid on the water and have a |
| see "LT" for a light truck, "T" for temporary tire, | | | | loss of control in your steering, braking, and |
| or "E" for a heavy duty truck. Simple enough | | | | acceleration. |
| when you know what kind of vehicle you drive. | | | | The grooves on your tires are specifically |
| The "185" is simply telling you the width of the | | | | designed to disperse the water so that you have |
| tire in millimeters. On the door jamb of your car, | | | | traction even when the road is wet. If your tires |
| there is a sticker that should tell you the size of | | | | are worn out or bald, or if there is low tire |
| the tires that the factory put on your car. Using | | | | pressure, you are more likely to hydroplane. Your |
| this, you should never have to guess in millimeters | | | | best bet is to make sure your tires are safe. This |
| how wide your tires should be. | | | | means do not use your tires until they are |
| The "60" in this size represents what is called the | | | | completely bald and keep your tire pressure at |
| aspect ratio. In this case, the tire's height is sixty | | | | the recommended psi. It rains everywhere and |
| percent of the tire's width. Performance tires will | | | | you should be able to count on your tires when |
| have a lower aspect ratio. The "R" stands for | | | | you need them the most. |
| radial, the type of tire it is. Every tire on vehicles | | | | In many cases, the wearing down of your tires |
| will have this "R". If you are buying tires for | | | | should be obvious to you. You should make it |
| something smaller like a lawn mower or a four | | | | your responsibility to check your tires frequently |
| wheeler, that type of tire is called bias ply, not | | | | and to notice when something just isn't right. You |
| used on motor vehicles. | | | | will more than likely know if you have run over |
| The size of the wheel's rim is represented by the | | | | something that could harm your tire. You will |
| "14" in inches. You can't put a 16 inch tire on a 14 | | | | definitely know if your tire is flat. Even by taking |
| inch rim or visa versa. That obviously makes | | | | a quick glance at your tires, you will probably be |
| sense. | | | | able to tell if they are getting bald. This will allow |
| "82" is the load index. There is a maximum load | | | | you to take action and have the proper |
| carrying capacity chart to determine what tires | | | | maintenance done on your tires. It will only help |
| you will need based on the vehicle you drive. In | | | | them to last longer. |
| this case, it shows that the maximum load | | | | Since you will always now have your tire size |
| carrying capacity is 4,188 pounds. You definitely | | | | handy, don't be afraid to shop around when |
| don't want to put too much pressure on tires that | | | | looking for tires. You already know what kind to |
| can't handle it all. | | | | buy, it will only take a little work to go out and |
| Finally, the "H" represents the amount of speed | | | | find the best price for you. It's absolutely okay to |
| the tires can travel at. An "S" would be able to | | | | ask questions to make sure you are getting what |
| handle speeds up to 112 mph, an "H" speeds up to | | | | you think you are paying for. Any store or car |
| 130 mph, and a "V" speeds 150+ mph. These are | | | | dealership that sells tires will always have |
| strict guidelines and should not be tested. | | | | someone around to help you find what you are |
| Again, this is all good information to know, but it is | | | | looking for. Don't be afraid to ask. |
| more important to just know the correct tire size | | | | Of course you can always do exactly what the |
| for your car. There's no need to get confused by | | | | mechanic says and try not to be involved as |
| all the information when all you really need to | | | | much as possible. But, why would you? You know |
| know is the tires that make your driving safe. If | | | | what you are doing and new tires are not a scary |
| you have any questions about any of these, ask | | | | thought anymore. Your safety is in your hands |
| your mechanic. | | | | and more than likely, your wallet won't thin out as |
| It is possible that the wrong tire will fit onto your | | | | much as it could. Be adventurous and feel good |
| car. In most cases, the difference is so minute | | | | about having some control over the maintenance |
| that it won't cause any harm. However, what you | | | | of your car. |
| should know is that all mechanics and car | | | | |