1 Tire Code

All tires have a series of letters and numbers on their side. This is the tire code, and it tells you what kind of tires you have, the dimensions of your tires, load capacity, and speed rating. You can check the owner’s manual of your vehicle for the original equipment tire size recommended by the manufacturer, or simply check the sidewalls of your tires.

• The first letter stands for the tire type and can be P for passenger tires, LT for light truck tires, or ST for special trailer tires.
• The three digits after the tire type is the tire width, or the measurement of your tires from sidewall to sidewall expressed in millimeters.
• A slash comes after the tire width, where you’ll find two digits known as the aspect ratio, which is the distance from the wheel rim to the top of the tread expressed as a percentage of the tire width.
• The letter that follows represents your tire’s construction type or internal construction, which can be R for radial tires (the industry standard), D for diagonal or crisscross tires, or B for belted bias tires.
• The rim diameter follows, which are two digits indicating the diameter of the wheel the tire works best on expressed in inches.
• Next is the load rating/index, which can be two or three digits following the rim diameter that indicates how much weight each tire can support.
• Last is a letter known as the speed rating/index, which indicates the fastest speed a tire can function without failing.

2 Tire Types

While most tires look the same, there are different types for different vehicles, road conditions, and purposes. There are all-weather tires which can be used in any season, all-terrain tires that can handle off-road use, low profile tires, performance tires, and even winter tires, which are best used during the colder months.

3 Tire Life

How long do tires last? Most tires last anywhere from three to five years before they need to be replaced for safety. How do you know when you need new tires? If your tire treads are worn out, that can be a sign that you need new ones. Tread loss results in loss of traction, which can be dangerous on wet or icy roads. It’s important that you check your tires including your spare at least once a month, or have them regularly checked at your preferred auto shop. What should you check for? Be aware of the tread depth of your tire, check the pressure with a tire gauge, and watch out for any damage.

4 Flats are different from blowouts

A flat happens when your tire loses pressure gradually, most probably from incorrect tire pressure, getting punctured by a sharp object, or maybe hitting a pothole hard. When you get a flat, your car will usually pull to one side depending on where your flat tire is. A blowout is an immediate loss of pressure usually accompanied by a loud noise. You’ll feel your vehicle slow down and also pull to one side. Replace your damaged tire if you have a spare, but remember to get your tires checked at a reputable auto service or trusted tire shop immediately. Never drive with a damaged tire as this is extremely dangerous and can damage your vehicle.

5 Tire Pressure Monitoring System

If something that looks like a horseshoe with an exclamation point inside lights up on your dash, chances are at least one of your tires is incorrectly inflated. This is your TPMS or Tire Pressure Monitoring System working. All tires have a recommended pressure or psi level recommended by the manufacturer. Overinflated tires result in a bumpier ride and are more prone to blowouts, while underinflated tires can increase fuel consumption, wear out faster, and affect braking. If your TPMS light turns on, head to an auto service center right away.

6 Tire Balancing

If you feel your car shake or vibrate while driving, it can mean the weight distribution of your vehicle around your tires is uneven or your wheel assembly is unbalanced. Tire balancing results in a smoother, more comfortable ride, and extends the lifespan of your tires. Have this done by a qualified technician every 5000-7000 miles.

7 Tire Rotation 

Front and rear tires wear out differently, with front tires wearing down faster as they are used for steering. Increased tire tread wear can decrease road safety, which makes regular tire rotation necessary. Having your tires rotated makes them last longer. This contributes to better steering, a more comfortable driving experience, and increased road safety.

8 Wheel Alignment

When you’re driving straight but your car still pulls left or right, or your steering wheel is noisy, and your tires are squeaky, it might be time to have your wheels aligned. Like tire balancing and tire rotation, wheel alignment or tire alignment is key to good vehicle maintenance. It fixes the different wheel angles so your wheels come into proper contact with the ground. A qualified technician will check and adjust the components of your suspension correctly, so you can get a more responsive ride.

9 The most common cause of tire problems

The number one cause of tire problems is underinflation. When your tires are under inflated, they tend to expand or flex more, which in turn causes them to overheat. Add to this high speed  driving on a very hot day and you have the perfect recipe for tire failure. Always make sure your tires are properly inflated to avoid any problems on the road.

10 What you need to know before buying new tires

If you need to replace your tires, go for the original equipment tires or something very similar and make sure that what you buy corresponds to all the indexes recommended by your vehicle manufacturer. Your trusted tire shop can recommend the best brands with a good fuel efficiency grade, even a less noisy or bumpy model. Do your research and ask for expert recommendations to ensure you get the best quality at the right price.