We are often asked by customers and readers about questions when changing their car tires. The most common: Does the “XYZ” tire fit my car? Chinese tire good? Should I buy “A” or “B” tire? Should I put the new tire in front or behind? To try to clarify these and other doubts we decided to assemble a complete guide on tires. View here for more info: Yokohama Avid Touring S Review
It is important to note that this guide deals with car tires. Some information applies to other types of tires, but there may be differences or omissions in some aspects. So keep in mind that we are talking about passenger cars, including pickups and SUVs for non-commercial use. Good reading!
Why worry about choosing tires
Many drivers do not give due importance to tires. It is a fact that its technology has evolved a lot, to the point that it is less and less common for a tire to fail during its useful life. But it is always good to remember, they are the only point of contact between the car and the road. These are the tires that support the entire weight of the car and perform the functions of accelerating, braking, turning and damping impacts. It is no small thing!
Would you trust your safety to any tire? Or would you put a tire in your car incompatible with the manufacturer's specifications? I want to believe not. Tires are so important components, from an engineering point of view, that they are often designed together with the vehicles for which they are intended. So it is worth knowing its characteristics well when choosing a new set of tires for your car.
Well, I'm sure that if you got here it is because you are aware of this importance and want to be calm to make the right choice in the next exchange. So come on!
How to identify important information
Every tire has a series of information printed on its side, also called the shoulder. The most prominent information is the manufacturer's brand, the commercial name of the tire and its measures. These measures are presented in a specific format. To explain what they mean, we will use the 205/55 R16 91V measurement as an example. The information contained in this code is essential to check the compatibility of the tire with your car.
The first number indicates that the tire is 205 mm in section (width). The second, in the case of 55, points out that the height of the tire corresponds to 55% of its width. Note that it is not a given value, but a proportion. Therefore, two tires of different widths with the same profile 55 will also have different heights. Continuing, the “R” shows us that it is a radial construction tire, current industry standard, and 16 corresponds to the diameter of the wheel on which it should be mounted, that is, 16 inches.
The number 91 and the letter “V” are related, respectively, to the load capacity and the maximum speed supported by the tire. To check these capabilities, it is necessary to consult the following tables. Be sure to check these two information, as they often vary between versions of the same car. For example, a Ford Fiesta and a Courier use tires of the same size, but the truck has a much higher load capacity, requiring a tire much more resistant to weight, otherwise it will not support the effort and could cause an accident. The same goes for speed indexes, in the case of versions of the same car with different power levels.