|
What Is a
Tire Other Than Black and Round?
 |
No baloney here... |
What you see is not always what you get. That
special sale that is advertising your size tire for a discounted price you can't beat may
not be all they would like you to believe. All tires manufactured today meet a certain
specification in treadwear, traction, and heat resistance. In plain language, in most
cases you get what you pay for. The higher the tire is rated the more you will pay for
it. That is not to mean you have to pay list price, but you may be starting at a
different price level. Check the codes molded into the side of the sidewall for the info
you need. The higher the number indicated by 300 to 540 should give you more
mileage regardless of how you drive. Traction grades are A B or C A having the best
ability to stop on wet roads. Heat resistance graded the same with an A tire running the
coolest and is less likely to fail if driven over long distances at highway speeds. Also
tires that run cooler tend to be more fuel efficient.
Sure they are black and round but
are they all the same?
You be the judge based on the above information.
The tire section below, is courtesy of Bridgestone Tire
|
Proper tire maintenance is a relatively simple task, and it can save you both money and
headaches. You don't need to be a mechanic to know what to check. Just spend a few
minutes each month inspecting these often overlooked components. |
 |
The single greatest cause of tire damage is improper inflation. Your tires lose pressure
over time, resulting in unnecessary stress on them, early and irregular treadwear and poor
gas mileage. Tires can't deliver their best performance without the right air pressure. So
what can you do? Get to know your tires. Look at them regularly when getting into and out
of your car. You'll get used to how they should look, and that will make it easier to spot
problems. Listen to them: When you turn a corner at normal speeds, do you hear a squealing
sound from your tires? If so, one or more tires may be low on air. Also, pay attention to
how your car feels when you move the steering wheel. Changes may be due to tire problems
that need attention.
When you check air pressure, refer to your owner's manual for the proper inflation. The
automaker has taken into account several important factors in order to determine the right
inflation level for your car and tire combination. Try never to let your air pressure drop
below the recommended level.
Although the sidewall of your tire indicates a maximum pressure figure, this number
does not indicate the proper inflation for your car. Rather, it indicates a top pressure
that you must not exceed for any reason. Check either the placard on your door jamb or
inside your glove box or refer to your owner's manual for the correct air pressure for
your tires. |
|
When you maintain your tires or replace them, don't forget about your
fifth tire Ð your spare. If you need it in a road emergency, you want to make sure it's
there and it's inflated. (Remember, your tires will lose pressure over time.) If you don't
check you spare for a year, you could be surprised and find a flat tire. Even with new
and well-maintained tire, you could run into a road hazard and need your spare tire. Take
some time and throw a few items in your trunk:
Also, make sure your owner's manual is in the glove box and that you know where your
jack is and how to use it. Your owner's manual will give you step-by-step instruction on
how to change your wheel and tire assembly. You many want to have someone show you how to
change a flat tire and practice a bit before you have a real need.
As your tire wears, its ability to grip the road in adverse conditions decreases. If your
tires are neglected, the tread can wear completely away, leaving the surface of the tire
smooth or bald. This is not only dangerous, it's also illegal in many states.
When you're checking your tires' inflation pressure, look for obvious signs of wear.
Almost all tires have wear bars Ð small raised points of rubber in the grooves that show
up when tires are worn out. If your tread is the same height as the wear bars, it's time
for a new tire.
Every once in while, get your hands dirty by feeling the tread of your tires. If you
feel high and low areas, or unusually smooth areas, you may have irregular tread wear.
Consult your tire dealer as soon as possible. |
|
Here's an old reliable trick you can use to check the tread depth of your tires. Be
sure to inspect your tire at various points. Irregular tread wear may not be readily
visible to you. |
 |
1. Take a penny and pinch Abe's body between your thumb and forefinger.
2. Put his head into one of the grooves of the tread at the point on your tire where tread
is lowest.
3. If any part of his head is obscured by the tread, you're driving with the legal amount
of tread. If you can see all of his head, you're ready for a new tire.
When the clothes clump in one spot of your washing machine during the spin cycle, the
washer rocks wildly from the uneven weight distribution. This is what happens if each
wheel and tire (called a wheel/tire assembly) are not properly balanced. The result is
that your tires will behave like your washing machine. You'll get an uncomfortable ride,
the steering wheel will vibrate, and you'll damage your tires and your suspension system
as your tires bounce against the pavement.
These problems can be easily prevented by having your tire dealer balance your
wheel/tire assemblies when you buy new tires and when you have them rotated. It's a
worthwhile investment. |
 |
Each tire on your car probably supports a different amount of weight, causing your tires
to wear at different rates. By having your tires rotated, you can extend their life
expectancy. Ideally you should have your dealer rotate your tires every 5,000 to 8,000
miles, and even more frequently if you do most of your driving around town or if you own a
front-wheel drive car. Check your owner's manual for proper intervals.
There are several patterns you can use in rotating your tires. For instance, crossing
tires from one side to another is a frequent rotation pattern many people use. Just be
sure to ask the dealer which pattern he used and stick with it as long as you have those
tires on your car.
Alignment is a catch-all word describing a combination of several different angles and
relative positions of a wheel and tire in order for a car to roll and steer easily and
predictably. Improper alignment may be felt by the car's pulling to one side or wandering
or by uneven tread wear on one or more tires. Misalignment could also result in a major
repair bill if it's not corrected. In addition to damaged tires, your car's suspension
system can be damaged. By checking your alignment every 10,000 miles, or at least once a
year, your mechanic should be able to identify small problems before they become big ones.
|
|
