Have you ever had those terrible aches and pains in your knees and back that seem to have no cause whatsoever? (Stop it, you are not getting old!) Then you go to the doctor and he tells you to take better care of your feet. What? My feet? Congrats! We just found yet another way that your car directly reflects you – its “feet” impacts an enormous amount of its performance. Tires are the root of safety in your vehicle, the hidden crutch for your failing fuel economy, the terror behind your testy alignment. Any automotive technician will tell you – having tires that fit your car, life, and environment is vital to keep your vehicle healthy and you safe. This is the part where I remind you of that documentary that popped up after Top Gear – that one with diagrams floating across the screen and some deep, throaty James Earl Jones wannabe saying words that sounded like English but had far too many syllables. The components that go into the quality of tires are extensive, confusing, and far more complicated than we’d like. This is why we hired professionals in our parts departments to help you. And right now, we’re going to lay out the basics so it’s not all mumbo-jumbo the next time you purchase new “shoes” for your ride. Every brand likes to decorate their handiwork – and tires are no different. On the side of your tires, manufacturers stamp their brand, the model of tire, and the specs of the tire in an alphanumerical code. Here’s the breakdown of that code: Here’s an example of reading a portion of the metric sizing on your sidewall. This tire is fitted on a large truck. Another example of metic sizing code on the sidewall of a tire. This one also includes the Load Rate and Speed Rating. It’s fitted on a luxury sedan. Each portion of the code points to a different component of the tire that defines its size, performance, rating, etc. Tire manufacturers say there are 19-25 varying components that measure in to what frequently seems to simply be circles of rubber. According to our tire experts, there are four components that really top the charts when you’re considering purchase: ride quality, tread life, weather conditions, and speed rating. 1. Ride Quality is how much of the bumps and divets of the road gets absorbed into the tires, providing you with a smoother ride 2. Tread Life is the longevity of the tire before it starts to crack or “bald.” See more about tread life gradings here. 3. Weather conditions define what kind of environment tires have to survive and perform in. 4. Speed Rating defines the amount of heat or friction a tire can endure. See a chart explaining speed rating here. Each of these factors impact the life, safety, and performance of how a tire interacts with your car, and breaking down the formula isn’t always easy. This is why we are breaking it down for you in a series of posts – stay tuned for more of Feet First: The Basics of Buying Tires! Of course, if you’re not a math person, our Parts experts are always happy to crunch the numbers!
The month long Tire Savings Event has started at Milton Ruben Toyota! During the month of October, you can get your fourth tire for a dollar* when you buy the other three! Even if you don't have a Toyota or Scion, you can take advantage of this event! Hurry in to Milton Ruben Toyota of Augusta and get the right tire at the right price! To schedule an appointment, call (706) 868-0588, visit online at http://www.MiltonRubenToyota.com or visit us in person at 3510 Washington Road in Augusta, GA! ♦Restrictions apply. See participating Toyota dealer for details. OEM, OEA and WIN replacement tires only. Not valid on run-flat tires. Tires must be dealer-installed. Three tires at regular price, fourth tire one dollar. Fourth tire must be of equal or lesser value. Excludes mounting & balancing, sales tax, shop supplies, tire disposal, & other applicable taxes. Excludes previous purchases. May not be combined with other coupons or offers. Offer only available at participating Toyota dealers 10/1/13 – 10/31/13. *Present coupon at purchase. Not valid with other coupons. No cash value. 1 coupon per customer. Fees, tax & shop supplies not included. **Toyota dealers will match any competitor’s price on tires. Must bring proof of competitor pricing at the time of purchase and the price must be current within the last 30 days. Competitor must be within 50 miles of dealership. Customer must present competitor’s written valid coupon, advertisement or repair estimate prior to vehicle repair. Excludes Internet sales and prices. May not be combined with other coupons or offers. See dealer for details. Expires 10/31/2013. ††Lifetime Tire Rotations for life of tires when you purchase 4 tires. Rotation every 5,000 miles at selling dealer and not transferable to another owner, vehicle, or dealer. Toyota models only. Life of the tire means more than 2/32 of an inch remaining tread groove depth or six (6) years from the date of original tire purchase, whichever comes first. See dealer for details. Offer expires 10/31/2013. †Coverage for 24 months from date of purchase OR when the tire’s remaining tread depth is 3/32 of an inch or less, whichever first occurs. See dealer for details. Offer expires 10/31/2013.
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