Choosing The Best Tire

You may not realize how many different choices there are when it comes to choosing tires Murfreesboro, TN.  It is helpful to educate yourself on the different types of tires and their various strengths and weaknesses so that you can chose the best tires for your vehicle and for you specific situation.  There are different tires that are good for cars and minivans than the tires for trucks and SUVs.  There seems to be a trend for people now days to put plus size tires and wheels on their vehicles.  This is a luxury and is done specifically for looks.  The drivers often purchase larger wheels and shorter, wider tires.  This gives the vehicle a more sporty type of look.  Some people argue that you can get better traction and handling with plus size tires because the tire is wider.  Studies show, however that if you go very much bigger than the recommended size, this is not true.  The wider tires cot more money and add some risks when you are purchasing new tires Murfreesboro, TN.

The wider tires are more likely to float on snow covered or wet roads.  They don’t grab the road as well.  There is also less cushioning between the toad and the wheel with the shorter sidewall which can cause damage to the wheels of your car.  There is also a higher chance of rollover with these plus size tires in SUV’s and trucks.  There is also a trick that tire shops use to make wheels fit by moving them out from the hub and using a spacer.  This is not a safe option.  The tire’s load rating also needs to match the factory specified tire recommendation.  If the size isn’t right it can cause excess and unsafe stress on the lug nuts and bolts.  Be careful not to compromise in any of these areas just because you like the look of something.  It is better to be safe than to have something you like the looks of and end up in an accident. 

Tire sizes are named by a ratio and a whole number.  The ratio tells the width in millimeters from the sidewall to sidewall.  The whole number is the rim diameter in inches.  Tire makers also use letter to tell the maximum speed at which a tire should be driven.  About 20 different speed ratings are used, but the most often seen ones are Q which designates up to 99 mph, S which is for up to 112, and T which is up to 118.  Understanding some of the basics about tires can help you when you need new tires Murfreesboro, TN.