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Need New Tires? Tom T  |
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 So You Need New Tires Huh?
Ever walk down the cereal aisle of your local supermarket wondering what cereal is best for your family's health? Remember the frustration you felt as you tried to find a low fat, low sugar, high nutrition cereal that tasted good . . . and everyone would like?
That afternoon you had an appointment at the local tire store to buy four new tires, as you walked into the showroom that same feeling from the supermarket experience overwhelms you once again . . . this time with a different set of questions.
* What tire is best for my car?
* Should I change sizes?
* What does "all season" really mean?
* What does P18575R14 mean anyway?
To some people these and other questions are important. To others the only qualifications for their tires is that they're round, black, hold air, and made of rubber. Let's assume you fall into the first group of people. The first two questions are answered very simply.
Consult your owner's manual, customer assistance lines, dealer, or local tire store. They can tell you what tire is best for your car and whether or not you can change sizes. I want to make a note here. Changing the tire size on a computer controlled car can negatively affect the performance of the vehicle.
The term "all season" refers to a tire that has a tread design that disperses the weather elements out from under the footprint of the tire and is made of a rubber compound that does not freeze below 32 degrees, the combination of the tread design and the rubber compound generates a self cleaning action allowing maximum traction in all seasons.
Now let's define the size description P18575R14. "P" stands for the service description, in this case it is a passenger car tire. The number 185 is the width of the tire measured in millimeters sidewall to sidewall. The number 75 is the ratio of height to width; in this case, the height of the tire is 75% of 185 millimeters or 138.75mm. The "R" means it is a radial tire.
Now let's talk about performance tires briefly. Performance tires are designed with high speed and hard cornering & handling in mind for the sports car driver, usually low in profile (short sidewalls) and with a wide footprint, the combination of the performance car's suspension with these tires provide what the sports car driver is looking for... Race car handling!
Finally, let's talk about light truck tires. Question, what do you use your truck for? Is it a work truck, recreational vehicle, SUV, or a family cab. This is what we must first determine before we can select the tires to fit your need.
SUV's, and family cabs do not need the heavy ply load range that a recreational vehicle or a work truck would need.
Tread designs differ for different applications. IE: aggressive tread for off-road use, highway tread for highway driving, multi application with heavy load range for work applications, and light truck tires with a passenger car feel for the family cab.
Remember, by asking these questions during the tire buying process you will buy the tire that best suits your needs. Want more information on tires? Write to:
Tire Industry Safety Council
Suite 844 National Press Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20045
Ask for the free consumer tire guide.
....'Till next time . . . Keep Rollin'!
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 With over 27 years in the automotive industry and nearly a decade in automotive talk radio, Tom Torbjornsen makes learning about cars easy with his personal manner, his expert advice, and his high energy and entertaining style. Tom has the unique gift of simplifying the complex and tearing down the technical, meeting you at your level of understanding. You will be encouraged as you gain the confidence to deal with problems related to the second most expensive purchase you will make in a lifetime your automobile.
Email Tom
Click here to visit the America's Car Show website
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