What To Consider When Buying

For the average consumer, choosing the ideal set of tires for a car can be a difficult decision to make due to the vast selection of brands, types, and models. There are many factors that must be taken into consideration before purchasing tires as the quality and characteristics of the tire can have a major impact on the performance of a car. For less experienced consumers, it is important to discuss your intention to purchase new tires with tire experts and always make sure to purchase them from a reliable dealer.

The first thing to consider when buying new tires is the general driving needs of the consumer. The average amount of distances travelled per day, the general surface condition that the tires will be driven on, and the frequency of change in weather conditions are all factors that must be considered. If you are considering purchasing tires and know that they will be used to travel long distances everyday, and on particularly rough surfaces, tires with thicker treads that are more resistant to wear are a definite must. Also, if you live in an area that tends to receive high amounts of freezing rain and snow, you may want to consider looking into snow tires that can make travelling through the undesirable driving conditions much safer and more manageable.

It is also important to generally know what you are looking for before running off to a tire dealer or store. The desired tire size is vital information to provide to a dealer, and if you are unsure about the size of your tires, you may even want to bring your vehicle in so that the dealer can have a general idea of what size tires your vehicle needs and what types you are looking for.

The most important thing to keep in your mind when purchasing tires is the personal needs of the driver. Knowing what you need beforehand is the best possible way to ensure that you purchase the best possible tires for your vehicle. Remember to stick to your objectives and make sure to make the best possible decision; buy the tires that are just perfect (and nothing less!) for you and your needs. Also remember that buying the proper tires for a vehicle ensures the safety of the passengers riding inside.

Quality Ratings

Consumers interested in purchasing tires are encouraged to consult the UTQG ratings of the tire in question in order to ensure that they make the best possible decision. Most tires have been classified under the Uniform Tire Quality Grading system. This system was developed by the Department of Transportation with the objective of providing consumers with comparable ideas of the passenger tires’ performance in the areas of tread wear, traction under certain weather conditions, and temperature. This grading system applies to tires with rims whose diameters are thirteen inches or more. Snow tires are not included.

• Treadwear - A tire with known wear data is used as a control tire, and the results are corrected for a possible shift in testing conditions compared with the point of departure. A tire with a marking of160 has been tested to give 60% more mileage than a tire marked 100. A tire that scores a 100 in this category is expected to last for approximately 30 000 miles on the designated course.
• Traction - Traction test are performed with specially adjusted vehicles that measure the traction rating of the tires on wet asphalt and wet concrete surfaces. An A grade in this category indicates the best classification with certain requirements. A B grade indicates a slightly lower classification. And finally, a C grade indicates the lowest or poorest class or value.
• Temperature - The temperature rating represents the tire’s resistance to the generation of heat during motion. This grade is tested on specifically designed laboratory test wheels. The temperature property of the tire is important to measure because if the tire is unable to sustain the heat properly, or if it allows for a build-up of heat within the rubber itself, the end result could in fact be reduced tire life and even tire failure. The tire temperature is graded on the A, B, C scale by the tested speed at which the tire exceeds the maximum test temperature. In a specified test time of 30 minutes, A tires exceed the temperature at 145mph, B tires range from 110 - 140mph, and C tires are 105mph and below.

Proper Tire Inflation

Maintaining properly inflated tires is critical for the safety and performance of a vehicle. Every vehicle has inflation-pressure level that is unique to that vehicle model. That being said, most vehicles also come with a vehicle placard that tells the driver the tire pressure level that is necessary in order to receive the best performance from the vehicle. It is important to maintain a vehicle’s proper inflation level for a variety of reasons. The over-inflation of tires can often result in severe handling problems whereas your vehicle may not accelerate, brake, or steer properly. Properly inflated tires also affect fuel efficiency. With properly inflated tires, the average Canadian could save roughly two weeks of gas every year. Tire inflation also have an impact on treadwear. Proper inflations helps to get the maximum longevity out of your tires, which could result in having to replace your tires in longer intervals, and which also means more money in your pocket.

Over-inflation and under-inflation are common problems often found in the average driver’s tires. These problems are hardly apparent at first sight, and thus the only accurate way to measure a tire’s air pressure is to use a tire gauge. Once you have measured the pressure of your tires, you should compare them to the range of the air pressure values found on your vehicle placard. If your tire is inflated above or below that level, it is highly recommended that you fix the problem immediately.