posted by admin on Jul 31
Demystifying The Tire Sidewall Code
So, you need new tires for your car or truck, but how do you know what to buy? What do all those alphanumeric codes printed on the tire sidewalls mean, anyway? If you’re in the market for new tires, you may simply want to replace your worn tires with exactly the same tire it came with. But you MAY want to consider an upgrade. If you know how to read the tire sidewalls, chock full of valuable information, you’ve got an advantage over most people and are prepared to make an informed decision. So let’s get underway! Tire Size Markings (example: P215/65R15 89H) Broken down: P = Passenger Other designations are LT = Light Truck T = Temporary (spare tire) 215 is the width (in millimeters) of the tire from sidewall to sidewall. A wider tire has more grip but the bad news is that you lose fuel economy, hear more noise and the tires don’t work as well in the rain. 65 is the aspect ratio The aspect ratio is the ratio of sidewall height to tire width. With regards to aspect ratio, the larger the number, the taller the tire sidewall. Tall (60-75) is great for a quiet ride but causes howling in turns. Short (35-55) is better for handling–more for sports cars. R indicates Radial. This means it is constructed with a series of support belts sideways under the tread. Other designations include B for Belted Bias and D for Diagonal Bias The standard, and what you’ll see most often, is R. 15 is the wheel (or rim) diameter, in inches. 89 is the load index H is the speed rating Speed ratings indicate the top speed under ideal conditions. Higher-rated tires are usually made of softer rubber and will have shorter UTQG tread life. Here are a few of the more common speed ratings: R= 106, S=112, T=118, U=124, H=130, V=149, W=168, Y=186. Along with this speed rating, you have a load index which indicates the approximate weight the tire can carry. Some of the more common load weights are as follows: 85 = 1,135 pounds, 86 = 1,168 pounds, 87 = 1,201 pounds, 88 = 1,235 pounds. UTQG Ratings Passenger car tires are accompanied by a UTQG Rating (Uniform Tire Quality Grading, mandated by the Federal Government) which rates the tread life of tires by looking at tread wear, traction and temperature resistance. The UTQG Rating is usually found opposite the tire size markings and will be in three separate ratings: treadwear, traction and temperature. The treadware grade standard is 100. A grade of 200 means the tread would wear twice as well as a tire graded 100. Traction grades run from AA to C, with AA being the highest grade and C meaning the tire brakes poorly on both wet concrete and wet asphalt. Temperature grades rate the tire’s resistance to and ability to dispel heat. Those grades are A (resists heat well), B (not as good as A) and C (passes minimum safety standards.) Keep in mind that heavy loads, under-inflation of the tires, and high speeds can all affect the tire temperature. You should note that these tire grades rate tires measured under controlled conditions. Factors such as driving habits, road conditions, climate, etc., are not considerations and may affect the actual performance of your tire. DOT DOT (Department of Transportation) indicates the tire is in compliance with applicable DOT safety standards. Next to DOT is an identification or serial number–codes that designate where and when the tire was produced. You’ll also find other information on the sidewall such as the type and composition of the tire, the maximum cold inflation (PSI) and maximum load in pounds. So as you can see, tires carry a huge amount of information. But it’s really not all that complicated once you learn to read the code. Debbie Pettitt is webmaster for Everything Tires, your tire resource. For more information on tires, visit http://everythingtires.com
Source: www.ArticlePros.com
BMW Wheels: Be in Control
It’s sleek. It’s trusted. It’s got style. Just when you think your faithful BMW is working perfectly, your wheels start to look as if they are wobbling a little now and then, and it seems like they might throw you off the road anytime soon. You certainly are sure it was not something you did because you surely have been taking the best kind of care for your good buddy. You decide that maybe this has happened because of frequent use. You surely would want to show off this sleek little thing as much as possible. And with the great comfortable ride it gives you, you just cannot help but use it anytime you need to or anytime you just feel you want to strut this little guy’s stuff. This may be hard to accept but it seems like you may have to say goodbye to your BMW wheels and replace them. Soon. You certainly have realized what these BMW had been doing for you all this time. Without your BMW wheels, you may not have reached any destination your heart chose. BMW wheels work and act as mediator between your car and the road. This happens because they transport your engine’s energy into a forward motion. And BMW wheels withstand an enormous amount forces in all directions so as to keep your vehicle in control, always. Your BMW wheels is made up of a circular frame with spokes or a solid disc that can rotate on a shaft or axle. You have a choice of wheels with a natural, a clear coating or a powder-coated finish. There are also various designs available like a split-spoke mesh design which is enhanced by a polished stainless steel lip, and has bolts to have the look of a two-piece wheel. However, if you choose to customize your BMW to something a little different and something personalized as according to your taste, you also do have that option for BMW wheels also could be customized as per your request. Although, you have to be sure that before installing your new BMW wheels, you have to make sure that they are not too loose or too tight for this could actually affect your car’s performance. Now, if you need new BMW wheels, here at Auto Parts Online, they have a vast array of BMW wheels to choose from. Your new BMW wheels would surely make you be in control. Jenny McLane is a 36 year old native of Iowa and has a knack for research on cars and anything and everything about it. She works full time as a Market Analyst for one of the leading car parts suppliers in the country today.
Source: www.ArticlePros.com
