How to choose the right tires Atomics

Choosing tires is an exciting and constantly changing task for car lovers.

For users less enthusiastic about their cars, another maintenance task that can be done without problems with some basic knowledge.

It is only necessary to follow the number of tires indicated in the manual, although there are some variables that can be changed taking into account the climatic conditions of the place of use, driving style and type of vehicle.

In this post we will look at all the variants to consider in order to choose the best option for each vehicle.

Tire measurement

When we start searching for a tire, the first thing we see is the manufacturer’s brand, model, and a series of numbers. What does each one mean?

The first number is the one that indicates the width of the tire, which is expressed in millimeters and is obtained by measuring from the outermost point to the innermost point of the rolling area, that is, the one in contact with the asphalt.

The second number indicates the appearance of the tire’s sidewall or bead. It is obtained with the percentage between height and width.

A lower aspect ratio will provide better grip and transition when cornering, but asphalt vibrations will be felt more.

Then a letter is filtered into the number indicating the type of construction, today mostly radial type, and hence the letter R.

Another number that appears is the overall diameter of the tire, depending on the vehicle, this number ranges from 13 to 20 inches.

There are other additional measurements which are load index and speed index. One indicates the maximum weight that the tire supports, and the other the maximum speed at which it can travel.

Where to find tire measurements?

The first place you can find measurements is the tire itself. Measurements and date of manufacture and expiry are displayed on the outer band.

Second, in the vehicle maintenance manual, tires and wheels section.

And finally to the driver’s door. Almost all car models have tire measurements and indicated pressures with which they should be inflated, with and without weight inside the car.

Change tires following the user and maintenance manual

The easiest way to replace covers when they reach their useful life is to check what the car manufacturer instructs in its manual

That measure is what the car comes with from the factory and what the manufacturer considers, will give the car the best performance.

Speedometer calibration is based on this measurement, so replacing it with another one may change some of the values. If this happens, ideally an expert can participate in the decision.

Regarding tire brands, for commercial reasons, car brands recommend a specific manufacturer, but tires with the same or similar measurements can be replaced with other brands.

Most recognized tire brands usually share measurements or make similar ones. Michelin, Bridgestone, Pirelli, Nito brand tiresYokohama, Kumho, Hankook, among others.

Choice of tires according to climatic conditions

This is an important criterion for choosing the right tires for the car. Asphalt in 30 degree heat is not the same as cold or snowy places.

In mountain locations, where there are usually cold winters with sub-zero temperatures, snow and ice, it is important to choose tires for these conditions. In some cases, it may be necessary to include chains to break ice and snow.

Tire manufacturers have all-season models (where there are moderate winters and mild summers), winter tires (for extremely cold conditions), and summer tires (for warm conditions).

Choice of tires according to driving style

This tire selection criteria is important, and may seem like a demanding detail, but small differences become noticeable over driving time.

Basically it will depend on the taste of the driver, whether he prefers a silent drive or something more aggressive.

In the first case, lovers of comfort and noiselessness are advised to choose tires with a low speed index, usually indicated with the letter S, T or H.

Also look for tires with a raised side, this represents more rubber on the tread, which represents greater cushioning.

For those who like to feel the corners and drive more aggressively, a high-performance tire or one with a high speed index is indicated.

These types of tires provide better steering control, more stiffness and precision, but the tradeoff is that they tend to copy asphalt irregularities.

Tire selection according to vehicle type

First, the tread pattern can be an important detail and can make a difference in range in an electric or hybrid vehicle.

Also for those who use their vehicles on rural roads or dirt roads, a good mudguard is key for an SUV or pick-up.

Brands like today Neat tiresBridgestone, Kumho, Yokohama and Hankook make off-road tires, with wide grooves that allow good grip on slippery terrain.

Tire rotation

In addition to maintaining normal alignment and balance, it is important to rotate the tires every 10 thousand kilometers.

In most cars, the most weight is found in the front, because that is where the engine is located, and added to this are the wheels that are driven, which are the ones that wear the most.

That is why it is important to rest them and bring the rears to that position every 10 thousand kilometers. This will extend the life of the tire.

Maintaining the indicated pressure of each wheel is also important, as is the support.

In addition to achieving better driving and greater fuel efficiency, inflated tires wear evenly and evenly.

Conclusion

As we have seen, choosing the ideal tire requires identifying the measurements established by the car manufacturers, the specific driving style and the climatic conditions of the place where it is used.

Periodic pressure monitoring and rotation is also important to improve service life and performance. Changing tires is a chore for everyone, both concerned drivers and car lovers alike.