Everything You Need To Know About Buying Tires in Ohio

What Tire Size Do I Need?

When shopping for tires, you’ll encounter a series of numbers and letters on the tire’s sidewall that indicate its size and specifications. This code provides essential information about the tire’s dimensions, type, and performance characteristics. Here’s a breakdown of what each part of the tire size means:

P: This letter stands for “Passenger” and indicates that the tire is designed for passenger vehicles. If the tire size starts with “LT,” it means “Light Truck,” which is intended for vehicles that carry heavier loads, such as pickup trucks, SUVs, and vans. If there is no letter before the numbers, the tire is a Euro-metric size, and it may have different load capacities.

Tire Width: The three-digit number following the “P” or “LT” is the width of the tire in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall. For example, “P225” means the tire is 225mm wide.

Tire Aspect Ratio: After the width, there is a forward slash followed by a two-digit number, which is the tire’s aspect ratio. This number represents the height of the tire’s sidewall as a percentage of the tire’s width. If the tire reads “P225/65,” the tire has a sidewall height that is 65% of its width.

Tire Construction: A single letter comes after the aspect ratio, indicating the type of construction used in the tire’s casing. “R” stands for Radial, which means layers run radially across the tire. Radial is the most common type of tire construction. “D” would indicate Diagonal construction, and “B” stands for Belted, but both are less common.

Rim Diameter: The next number is the diameter of the wheel rim that the tire fits, measured in inches. For example, “P225/65R17” indicates the tire fits on a 17-inch wheel rim.

Tire Load Index: After the rim diameter, there may be another two or three-digit number, which is the tire’s load index. This number corresponds to the maximum weight the tire can safely support when properly inflated. You’ll need to refer to a load index chart to understand the exact weight.

Tire Speed Rating: Finally, there’s a letter that represents the tire’s speed rating, indicating the maximum speed at which the tire can carry a load corresponding to its load index under specified service conditions. Common ratings include “T” (up to 118 mph), “H” (up to 130 mph), and “V” (up to 149 mph). Performance tires may have higher ratings like “W,” “Y,” or “Z.”

For example, a tire size marked “P225/65R17 102H” indicates:

• P: Passenger type tire
• 225: Width of the tire in millimeters
• 65: Aspect ratio, where the sidewall height is 65% of the tire’s width
• R: Radial construction
• 17: Fits on a 17-inch diameter wheel rim
• 102: Load index (corresponds to a specific weight capacity)
• H: Speed rating (the tire is rated for speeds up to 130 mph)

Understanding your vehicle’s recommended tire size and specifications is crucial when purchasing new tires. This information can typically be found in your car’s owner manual or on a placard inside the driver’s door jamb. Always consult with a professional to ensure you select tires that meet your vehicle’s requirements and your driving needs. At Blevin’s Tire we’re always here to answer all your tire questions. Call us at (419) 670-7137 for all your tire needs.

What Types of Different Tires Are There?

When selecting tires for passenger and light trucks, customers should consider various types based on their driving needs, weather conditions, and vehicle specifications. Here’s an exhaustive list of tire types that customers might encounter at a local tire shop:

All-Season Tires:

• Provide balanced performance in wet and dry conditions.
• Feature moderate tread depths for a comfortable ride.
• Suitable for year-round use in regions without severe winter weather.

Summer Tires:

• Designed for optimal performance in warm weather.
• Made with a rubber compound that remains flexible in heat.
• Offer excellent grip on both dry and wet roads.

Winter Tires (Snow Tires):

• Constructed with a soft rubber compound for flexibility in cold temperatures.
• Deep treads and unique patterns for better traction on snow and ice.
• Often feature siping for improved grip.

Performance Tires:

• Engineered for enhanced handling and speed capabilities.
• Typically have a lower profile and stiffer sidewalls for better cornering.
• Offer increased responsiveness and higher speed ratings.

Touring Tires:

• Designed for a smooth and quiet ride with reliable handling.
• Have higher speed ratings than all-season tires.
• Provide improved performance while maintaining comfort.

Highway Tires:

• Ideal for long-distance travel and frequent highway driving.
• Offer durability, comfort, and longevity.
• Feature-reinforced construction for load-carrying stability.

All-Terrain Tires:

• Suitable for on-road comfort and off-road traction.
• Constructed with aggressive tread patterns to handle dirt, mud, and gravel.
• Reinforced sidewalls for durability against off-road hazards.

Mud-Terrain Tires:

• Designed specifically for off-road conditions with mud, deep soil, and rocks.
• Feature large, chunky tread blocks for maximum off-road traction.
• Typically louder and less comfortable on paved roads.

Run-Flat Tires:

• Allow continued driving at limited speeds even after a puncture or loss of air pressure.
• Constructed with reinforced sidewalls or internal support rings.
• Eliminate the immediate need for a spare tire in the event of a flat.

Light Truck Tires:

• Built to handle the heavier loads and demands of light trucks, SUVs, and vans.
• Durable construction to withstand tough conditions, both on and off the road.
• Available in all-season, all-terrain, and winter variations to match usage needs.

Crossover/CUV Tires:

• Targeted for crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) that blend car and SUV characteristics.
• Provide a comfortable, car-like ride with added durability for light off-road use.
• Generally have a higher load rating than standard passenger car tires.

Commercial/Van Tires:

• Designed for commercial vehicles and vans that carry heavy loads.
• Reinforced structure for added strength and load-carrying capacity.
• Offer increased resistance to wear and improved stability under load.

What Different Sizes of Tires Are There?

• 225/65R17
• 205/55R16
• 215/55R17
• 195/65R15
• 235/60R18
• 215/60R16
• 275/55R20
• 235/45R18
• 225/60R17
• 245/60R18
• LT265/70R17
• LT245/75R16
• LT275/70R18
• LT225/75R16
• LT245/75R17
• LT235/80R17
• LT265/75R16
• 235/65R16C
• LT285/70R17
• LT275/65R18

What Are All The Tire Speed Symbols?

• L: 75 mph (120 km/h)
• M: 81 mph (130 km/h)
• N: 87 mph (140 km/h)
• P: 93 mph (150 km/h)
• Q: 99 mph (160 km/h)
• R: 106 mph (170 km/h)
• S: 112 mph (180 km/h)
• T: 118 mph (190 km/h)
• U: 124 mph (200 km/h)
• H: 130 mph (210 km/h)
• V: 149 mph (240 km/h)
• W: 168 mph (270 km/h)
• Y: 186 mph+ (300 km/h)

What Are The Components of a Tire?

Passenger and light truck tires are composed of several key components that work together to provide the tire’s structural integrity, traction, and ability to withstand loads. Here’s an overview of the basic parts of a typical passenger or light truck tire:

1. Tread: This is the outermost layer of the tire that comes into direct contact with the road. The tread pattern is designed for specific driving conditions (like wet, dry, or snowy roads) and affects the tire’s grip, handling, and noise level.

2. Sipes: These are small slits within the tread blocks that improve traction by allowing the tire to flex and grip the road better, especially in wet or icy conditions.

3. Tread Blocks: These are the raised sections on the tire’s tread that make contact with the road surface. The arrangement and shape of tread blocks affect traction and noise characteristics.

4. Grooves: These are the spaces between the tread blocks that channel water away from the tire to reduce hydroplaning and improve wet traction.

5. Sidewall: The sidewall is the side of the tire, between the tread and the bead. It provides lateral stability and protects the carcass plies inside the tire. It also contains important information about the tire, like its size, load capacity, and speed rating.

6. Bead: The bead is a rubber-coated steel cable loop that sits against the wheel rim. It ensures that the tire stays mounted on the rim and seals the air inside. The bead area also includes bead filler material that can affect ride quality.

7. Bead Filler: A rubber compound inside the bead area that can affect ride quality by helping to stiffen the lower sidewall.

8. Carcass Ply: The body ply is a layer of fabric or steel cords coated in rubber that provides strength to the tire and helps it maintain its shape under pressure.

9. Belt Plies (or Belts): These are layers of steel, polyester, or other materials placed under the tread to provide stability, reduce tread wear, and help prevent punctures.

10. Inner Liner: In tubeless tires, the inner liner is a layer of rubber on the inside that retains air under pressure. It serves as the inner tube in a tubeless tire.

11. Cap Ply: Some high-performance tires have an additional layer called a cap ply over the steel belts to enhance high-speed stability.

12. Shoulder: This is the area where the tread and sidewall meet. The shoulder design can influence how the tire wears and dissipates heat.

Each component plays a crucial role in the tire’s overall performance, including handling characteristics, ride comfort, and durability. Tire technology continues to evolve with advancements in materials and design to meet various performance and safety standards for different vehicle types and driving conditions.

Before purchasing tires, customers should consider their typical driving conditions, the climate where they frequently travel, and their vehicle’s tire size and load requirements. It’s always best to consult with a tire professional at the shop to ensure the chosen tires are appropriate for the vehicle’s performance needs and the owner’s driving habits. Blevin’s Tire can answer all your tire questions. Call us at (419) 938-6098 for your tire needs.