Imagine a cart being pulled by a horse, the movement of the cart is totally dependent on the horse, the person controlling the horse, and the cart’s wheel. In all of our dream cars today, the tire has 3 basic functions: carrying the car’s weight, guiding the vehicle’s trajectory, and transmitting braking and acceleration forces decided by the driver.
An important aspect of the vehicle requires important attention to detail on how to choose the right tires to avoid any casualties or inconveniences like a broken cart’s wheel. What do all the numbers mean? What type does my car need? How to make sure I buy the right one? These are all common questions in drivers’ minds. In this article, we will deep dive into how you can choose the right tires for your vehicle.
Table of Contents
What is My Tire’s Size?
The first information to get right is the correct tire size. Details on tire size are usually found on the tire’s sidewall and are important when surfing for new tires. Not to mention you may want to find luxury designed tires like dub wheels. There are five major markings on a tire’s sidewall that you need to notice to get the right type of tire for your vehicle:
- Tire width
- Aspect ratio
- Diameter
- Load Index
- Speed rating
Selecting tire sizes can be tricky if you wish to change your vehicle’s tires. Some noticeable changes are:
- Vehicle handling can be significantly improved on if you choose a tire with the next lowest profile. The tire tread is almost an inch wider with a proportionately lower sidewall, but the height often remains the same. An example is replacing 155/80R-13 with 175/80R-13 in small cars.
- You can also find the same tire height but with a shorter wall when you decide to plus-size your tires.
- Common for 4WD and truck owners is upsizing. This option makes you taller, improves tire performance and overall ride quality. Load carrying capacity, appearance, and traction are all improved when you upsize the tires on trucks.
Seasons and Weather
Making the best tire decision requires analysing your driving habits before picking the tire of your choice. Do you drive on wet roads most of the year? Do you drive on dry roads or mostly a mixed wet and dry road? Considering the seasonal extremes, you face must shape your decision of what choice to make. Season changes and so does the need for new tires, but one must take note of driving needs before making a choice. There are three types of tires you can choose from:
- Summer tires
- Winter tires
- All Season tires
Road and Terrain Types
While considering the weather and seasonal conditions for choosing tires, another important factor is the road and terrain types. When driving on city roads – numerous stops and starts, sudden braking, and high fuel consumption – are all involved. Tires that are best for city driving offers:
- Increased longevity
- Flawless braking distance, both for dry and wet conditions
- Low rolling resistance to minimize fuel consumption
Road or highway driving requires tires that offer:
- Flawless braking distance on dry and wet roads
- Low vibration and noise levels
- Grip and stability excellence
Quality of the Tire
A brand identity can be flawed or flawless judging by the reviews of its customers. When choosing the tires for your vehicle, looking at the manufacturer’s reputation is important. Ask people about the tires’ performance, check out reviews from customers online, and do your own research on the manufacturer. Best manufacturers have the most updated machines, maintain quality standards, and have modern facilities for manufacturing standard tires.
The warranty, date of manufacturing, and newly added tech are all important in choosing the best tire quality to enjoy the best value for your money.
Vehicle Type (Thermic or Electric)
With the increasing influx of new technologies in the automobile space, more electrically powered vehicles are making waves in the market. Choosing the best tires for your vehicle also requires considering what type of vehicle the tires are for. Specific tires are now made for unique characteristics peculiar to different cars. Maximizing battery range for electric cars, for example, requires tires with low rolling resistance.
Conclusion
Various factors come into play when choosing the right tires for your vehicles. Fuel efficiency, noise rating, and cost are some other factors when making the best tire choice for your vehicle. Once your tire needs to be replaced, please do it on time to avoid loss of lives or properties. Remember, one size fits all does not work with tires. Features of the original fitment must be adhered to when replacing your tires.
