Tips For Buying Tire In 2019 – Most Important Guide For Purchasing Tires

Buying New Tire After Using Old Ones A lot

Tires are as essential as the engine of your vehicle. Usually, it’s recommended that you should change your car tires after every six years and if your tire is not damaged still change it after six years. Selecting new tires for your car can become a headache, and there are so many things to look for before buying a new set of tires. You should go to a better place for purchasing your new tires. There are so many questions in one’s mind, like what does the number and codes printed on tires means? What are the traction, tread wear and speed ratings of the tire? Which type of tire should I purchase? Etc. In this article, we’ll answer all these questions. This article will help you in selecting new tires for your vehicle and will tell you about tips for buying a tire.

When to Change the Tires?

It’s necessary that you should change the tires of your vehicle after every six years and some car manufacturer suggests the changing of the tire after ten years. You can see the exact period in your car manual. Different signs will tell you that your tires should be changed.

• There is a thumb rule to check the wear of tread patterns and tread design. Take a coin and place it inside the grooves of your tire. If the head of the penny is fully visible. It indicates that your tire is completely worn out and it’s about time to change your tire.
• Inspect your tire for any cuts on sidewalls or distortion on sidewalls. If you notice any distortions, it’s a sign that you should replace your tires.
• If you notice any swelling on the outer surface of your tire, it indicates that it’s time to change your tire.
• While driving if you feel any vibrations in your vehicle, it’s a sign that you should inspect your tires and replace them. Get this one of the important tips for buying your new tire.

Codes on Tires

When you go to purchase a new set of tires, different alphanumeric codes printed on the tire can become confusing. In this section, we’ll explain to you what do these codes stand for and how they can help you in selecting the best tires for your vehicle.

For example, if you go to purchase the tire and the code printed on tire looks like this or something alike: 220/60R20 90H

• The first numeric code 220 tells you about the width of the tire in millimeters. Width measurement is taken from one edge of the tire’s sidewall to the other side.
• Number 60 indicates the aspect ratio of the tire; in other words, it shows the height of the tire. It also gives you the steering response of the tire. If the number is lower better will be the steering response of the tire.
• R in this code indicates that tire is radial. R is the standard code for radial, and you’ll find R printed on every radial tire. If you see B instead of R, it means that tire is bias-ply.
• The number 20 in the code, indicates the rim size of the tire. It’s essential that your tire size matches the rim size.
• The last digits in the code 90 indicate the load index of the tire. It tells you how much load your tire can handle.
• H indicates the speed rating of your tire, H means that your tire has a speed rating of 130 miles per hour.
• Other codes like M+S indicate the category of your tire. In the case of M+S, it means that your tire only works in mud and snow.
• On some tires, you’ll see mountain and snowflake symbol which means that the tire is best for snow tracks.
• You’ll also note XL printed on some tires which indicates that your tire can handle the extra load.

Speed Ratings of Tire

The speed rating is one of the most crucial factors in selecting a tire. Like I told you above that H indicates the speed rating of the tire, if you don’t see H you’ll see S, T, U, V, W or Y printed instead of H. These letters indicate different speed ratings of the tire. This has been one of the important tips people miss while buying their new tire.

• S means that your tire has a speed rating of 112 mph.
• T says that your tire has a speed rating of 118 mph.
• U indicates that your tire has a speed rating of 124 mph.
• H means that your tire has a speed rating of 130 mph.
• V means that your tire has a speed rating of 149 mph.
• W says that your tire has a speed rating of 168 mph.
• Y indicates that your tire has a speed rating of 186 mph.

Ratings to Look for Before Purchasing the Tire

When you go to purchase the tire, ratings are most important. The superior quality tire will have excellent grades. These ratings include traction, temperature, and air pressure ratings. In this section, we’ll discuss all these ratings.

Traction Rating

Road traction is a vital factor in purchasing a tire. Traction rating will tell you how good the grip of the tire is on different terrains. Traction rating is printed on the tire. You’ll see traction noted with AA, A, B, and C. AA means that the tire has the best traction. C is the lowest traction rating, while AA is the highest rating.

Temperature Rating

Temperature rating indicates how good the tire can withstand the heat or temperature while driving on higher speed levels. Alphabets A, B, and C represent temperature grading on the tire. A is brilliant, B is good, and C is poor temperature rating.

Air Pressure

Air pressure is also an essential factor to look for before purchasing a new set of tire. You can find the air pressure rating on sidewall of the tire. Vehicle manufacturer also publishes the air pressure ratings in their manual. Some vehicle manufacturer recommends having different in air pressures in both rear and front tires. So, if your vehicle manufacturer recommends different air pressures, it’s better to purchase tires according to your vehicle. These tips are best for buying a tire.

Types of Tires

Before purchasing the tire, selecting the right kind of tire for your vehicle is very important. There are different types of tires available in the market. Some tires perform brilliant in winter, and some give excellent performance in summer or rainy season. Selecting a tire type that fits your driving terrain is crucial. If you don’t choose proper tires for your car, you may face some safety issues just because of your poor tire selection. In this section, we’ll discuss different types of tires, it will make it easy for you to select the proper type of tire for your vehicle.

All-Season Tires

All-season tire as the name indicates this tire is suitable for all sorts of conditions. Its the most common tire purchased by tire buyers. Like we have analyzed Hankook Kinergy PT H737 an all season tire. The tread patterns, grooves, and sidewalls of all-season tires are designed to handle all sorts of weather conditions and track types. All-season tire because of its patterns and design provides excellent road traction on dry, wet and snowy tracks. The mileage these provides is quite impressive, and some all-season tires can provide you with a distance of up to 95k miles.

Summer Tires

Summer tires are designed to deliver superior performance in hot summers. The patterns of summer tires offer brilliant traction on hot pavements. Summer tires have temperature ratings of A. Summer tires cannot be used in areas where the temperature falls below zero. If you face longer summer durations than you should select summer tires.

Winter Tires

Winter tires or snow tires manufactured for delivering brilliant performance in heavy or light snow. Snow tires also perform best in harsh winter conditions. With winter tires you can get excellent road grip on tracks filled with deep or light snow, mud or in winter rains. Winter tires also provide excellent road performance on dry winter tracks. Don’t use tires winter tires on summer tracks because winter tires can withstand low temperatures on the high temperature the tire will wear out quickly. So, if you face longer winters, winter tires should be your choice.

Tire for All-Terrains

All-terrains tires, designed to give you brilliant performance on off-roads. All-terrains tires have tread patterns that can sustain the roughest roads. These tires will provide excellent road traction on tracks filled with gravel, dirt, light mud, stones, and sand. If you love to ride on off-road trails than all-terrain tires should be your only choice.

FAQ’s

Q) What does UTQG stand for?

UTQG stands for uniform tire quality grading.

Q) What is UTQG?

UTQG is a grading and testing method followed by all tire manufacturers. In this testing method, tires are tested for tread wear, temperature, and traction and graded accordingly.

Q) Which is the best tire brand?

Every brand promises a high-quality product, and you can see reviews of every brand before selecting the tire. Brands have their own names but you also follow the tips for buying a new tire.

Q) Can I use all-terrain tire on highways?

Yes, an all-terrain tire works on all sorts of tracks.

Q) How do I know the load rating of the tire?

You can see the load rating printed on the tire. Look for the number and see it on the standard tire load rating chart for example: If it says 95 on the tire, it means that the load handling capacity of your tire is 1521 pounds.