Feet First: The Basics of Buying Tires

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:

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!

Tags: how to buy tires, How to choose tires, toyota tires, what tires are right for my car
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