How to choose tires (rubber) for a car

 A car tire is a shell made of rubber, fabric and metal that is mounted on a wheel rim. The tire consists of carcass, tread, belt, side part and bead.

Transport type

For passenger cars  , they combine good driving performance (handling and braking), low noise level and a high maximum speed index. Tires for passenger cars are the most common. Marking example - 170/70 R14 84 T.

For 4x4 off-road vehicles  , they are distinguished by an increased load capacity index and a pronounced tread pattern, which provides high off-road flotation. The marking of such tires has its own characteristics, for example, 8.20 R15.

For minibuses, commercial vehicles  - they are characterized by an increased load capacity index, a simple tread pattern, and wear resistance. The flip side of these advantages is reduced handling and braking. The letter C is often found in the marking of such tires (for example, 195/70 R14C).

In addition to these tires, special rubber is used -  truck tires  (large trucks and buses) and  motor tires  (mopeds, motorcycles). At https://autosila-amz.com/ you will find other useful accessories for your car. 

seasonality

Summer  - designed for temperatures from + 5-7 ° C and above. These tires have a less pronounced tread pattern. When driving in hot weather, summer tires cool and harden. Such tires are ideal for fast driving, but on high-quality road surfaces.

Winter  - used at temperatures below -5 ° C. They differ from summer models in a deeper tread and - often in the presence of spikes. When driving in the cold, such tires warm up and become elastic. Thanks to these features, winter tires have a more reliable grip on the road, which increases the car's handling and reduces its braking distance.

Winter tires last longer than summer tires, but they are inferior to them in terms of maximum speed.

There are three types of winter tires.

• For mild winters  (European type) - the tread pattern resembles a herringbone. Another feature is the large number of slots.
• For a difficult winter  (Scandinavian type) - the tread pattern is formed by "diamonds" arranged in a checkerboard pattern. A characteristic feature is that the elements of the picture are quite far from each other.
• Spike  - for better grip on the ice surface.

All-weather  (universal) - are used in the temperature range from -5 to +7 ° С. Theoretically, such tires can be used all year round, which is cost-effective.

At the same time, practice shows that universal tires are inferior in quality to specialized options. These tires provide less grip than winter tires and are heavier on the road than summer tires. All-season tires should not be used in very cold or very hot weather.

Important : When choosing all-season tires, make sure they are suitable for moderate climates. Quite often there are products designed for a hot climate with a small difference in air temperatures in summer and winter. Such all-weather tires for a temperate climate will not work.

As can be seen from the characteristics, summer and winter tires are made from rubber of different chemical composition and are designed for the corresponding temperature range.

Winter tires at a temperature of +5 ° C and above become even softer, and summer tires are already approaching 0 ° C even harder. Both greatly increase the risk of an accident. For each season, you must have the appropriate set of tires - summer and winter. Don't skimp on your safety!

There are also these types of tires.

• Highway  - used for driving on dry or wet paved roads. These tires should not be used on snow or ice as they do not provide adequate traction.
• High- speed  (Performance) - designed for high-end cars. Such tires are characterized by increased traction and a high level of car handling. High-speed tires are resistant to severe temperature stress. The disadvantage is a short service life.
• All-weather high-speed  (All Weather Performance) - combines the qualities of all-weather and high-speed models. Such tires, as the manufacturers assure, provide high speed of the car in all weather conditions, including on ice and snow.

Design

Diagonal  - characterized by high mud patency, special strength and maintainability. For high-quality diagonal tires, the mileage does not exceed 20,000-40,000 km. These tires are used in trucks and SUVs.

Radial  - differs from the previous version in better grip, handling and lateral stability. In addition, radial tires reduce fuel consumption and last longer than diagonal ones: conventional models have a range of 60,000-80,000 km.

A radial tire is more susceptible to cuts and bumps and is not suitable for bad roads. This option is the best solution for passenger cars that drive on highways.

RunFlat Technology

Allows you to drive a certain distance after a tire damage and loss of pressure in it. This technology is provided by special inserts in the sidewalls and a special design of the bead and carcass of the tire. Thanks to RunFlat, the driver will get to the nearest service station. Cons: high rigidity compared to analogues without RunFlat and high price.

Important : RunFlat tires are not suitable for every car and rim. Such rubber is used in cars with a tire pressure monitoring system (RDC, RPA, TPMS). RunFlat technology has its own name for different manufacturers: Michelin has ZP, Continental has SSR, Bridgestone has RFT, and Dunlop has RunOnFlat. On https://autosila-amz.com/avtoshiny/ you can purchase tires of different designs and manufacturers. 

spikes

Studded  - provide the most reliable grip on packed snow and ice (for winter). This rubber increases the degree of lift for a car with front-wheel drive. At the same time, on dry and wet asphalt, as well as loose snow, the disadvantages of studded tires appear: grip deteriorates, braking distance increases, noise increases. This option is suitable for frequent trips out of town and travel.

Non-studded  ("Velcro") - show excellent results when riding in the off-season, but are not suitable for ice and packed snow. These tires are quieter than studded tires, but reduce the lift of front wheel drive vehicles. Non-studded tires are good for urban conditions.

Under the spike  - equipped with special places for installing spikes. Such tires will cost less than studded counterparts, while the driver independently decides to stud or not stud rubber. Cons: such tires show worse results than conventional non-studded models, and the studs themselves are inferior to factory studded products in terms of fastening reliability.

Tread pattern

Symmetrical  - there are two types.

Directional  - the axis of symmetry passes relative to the central plane of rotation of the wheel. A similar pattern resembles a "herringbone". Remember that the pattern direction must be the same on all wheels. The directional tread is quieter and is more suitable for driving on wet roads.

Non  -directional - the axis of symmetry passes relative to the radial plane of the wheel. Such a pattern is found in two versions: two “herringbones” directed in different directions or a pattern devoid of direction. Tires with a non-directional symmetrical pattern are the most common.

Asymmetric  - combined version: differs from the previous ones in a different pattern on each side of the tire. As a result, one side of the tire (outer side) provides grip on the asphalt road, the other side is designed for mud and snow. These are more efficient tires, but their price is higher. Such tires are installed on expensive cars.

Here

Tires for trucks are available for the steering axle (steering), driving (drive), trailer: this means that tires can be installed strictly on these types of axles. Universal tires can be put on any axle.

mud type

When choosing a tire for off-road driving, you should pay attention to the following markings.

All-terrain  - patency on simple country roads and asphalt. The speed index is limited to 140km/h, if you exceed the speed, it will increase fuel consumption, noise, risk of aquaplaning.

Mud-terrain  is a powerful tread for real off-road driving: excellent grip in mud, sand, snow.

For driving around the city and the nearest suburbs, you should choose the AT option, for fans of extreme rides, it’s better than MT tires to be found.

Sealing method

Chamber  - when punctured, they lose pressure very quickly, which can lead to an accident. Marking - "TUBE TIRE".

Tubeless  - keep pressure in the tire for a long time if it is damaged. This makes tubeless tires much safer than tube tires. This rubber is lighter, therefore, puts less stress on the wheel bearings and suspension. In addition, tubeless tires heat up less when driving at high speeds.

Due to these advantages, the vast majority of tires for modern passenger cars are tubeless. Marking - "TUBELESS".

Important : A tubeless tire can only be mounted on rims with hoops on the rim.

You can not install the camera in a tubeless tire to "increase" its reliability - this deprives the tubeless model of all its advantages and leads to the destruction of the tire carcass.

Marking

The characteristics of the tire are indicated in its marking:

• the first digit is the width of the tire profile (mm);
• the second digit is the height of the tire profile (%);
• the letter R is a radial tire (diagonal tires are not indicated by a letter);
• the third digit is the tire diameter or rim diameter (inch);
• the fourth digit is the load capacity index (determined according to a special table);
• the letter T is the index of maximum speed (determined according to a special table).

For example, the designation 170/70 R14 84 T says that the width of the model is 170 mm, the height is 70%, that is, 119 mm, the diameter is 14 ″, the load factor is 84, that is, 500 kg, and the speed index is 190 km / h.

Profile width

Width  - the distance between the sidewalls of an inflated tire. Wide tires differ from narrow models in better braking, acceleration, off-road patency, and directional stability.

Wide tires increase the load on the suspension (due to weight), increase fuel consumption, and when driving through puddles or wet snow, it causes hydroplaning (complete loss of contact between the tire and the road due to the water layer), which can lead to an accident.

Narrow tires  - suitable for urban conditions, a relaxed driving style and small cars.

Wide tires  are the best choice for fast tracks, extreme driving style and powerful cars.

Important : there are special rain tires with a directional tread pattern that reduce the likelihood of aquaplaning.

Tire width depends on the time of year. For winter, you should choose narrow tires, which increase stability and reduce the braking distance on slippery hard surfaces. For summer, a wider tire is better, showing excellent results when driving on a dry highway.

Important : the allowable excess of the profile width over the rim width should not be more than 30% (relevant for car owners who do not know the tire parameters recommended by the manufacturer). To choose the right rubber, refer to the special table, which indicates the correspondence between the width of the disk and the width of the tire.

Tires of the same width are installed on all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive cars. For powerful rear-wheel drive models (over 300 hp), the following scheme is relevant in summer: wider tires on the rear axle, narrower tires on the front axle.

Profile height

Height  is the percentage of height to width. According to this parameter, tires are divided into two categories.

Low profile  (up to 60%) - rigid tires that provide high handling and are designed for high-speed driving on high-quality and even road surfaces. At the same time, low-profile tires absorb shocks much worse when hitting pits and bumps, which often leads to suspension failure. Because of these features, low-profile models have a relatively short life.

High-profile / full-profile  (from 60%) - soft tires that reduce handling at high speed, designed for driving on bad and rough roads (soften impacts when hitting bumps). Such tires are used in winter when driving on deep ruts, as they increase the ground clearance: the bottom of the car does not touch the bumps in the road.

Important : the higher the tire, the better it is for driving in winter. However, you should not install very high tires. On most cars, it is allowed to install rubber a size larger than the standard tire.

There are other classifications:

• ultra-low profile (up to 55%);
• low profile (up to 70%);
• high profile (70-85%);
• full profile (from 85%).

Or:

• low profile (up to 45%);
• medium profile (45-60%);
• full profile (from 60%).

Important : the wider the rubber, the higher its actual height (at the same percentage). For example, from two options: 195/65 and 205/65, rubber with a width of 205 mm will be higher. For a correct tire change, the wider tire must have a lower height percentage—in this case, 205/60.

Landing diameter

The diameter must match the diameter of the rim. Some machines allow tolerances of +/-1 inch in diameter. This nuance should be clarified in each specific situation.

Important : too wide and high tires damage the suspension arms and fixed parts of the car body, too narrow and low - increase the load on bearings and components and can lead to disc breakage when driving on rough roads.

To correctly change the "native" tires for tires of a non-standard size, it is better to use a tire calculator. With it, you can easily determine the optimal choice of replacement. In addition, the calculator will describe the consequences of changing tire parameters.

If a tire of a smaller diameter is purchased than that of the standard model, then the load on the suspension units will increase, and the machine itself will become stiffer.

Load index

Load factor (number) - the maximum load that one tire can withstand at the corresponding speed indicated next to it (for example, 84 T). This is the load at which the tire can be safely used. To determine the load index, you need to know the maximum weight of a car with a driver, passengers and cargo per wheel and add 15% in reserve.

Important : when choosing tires, remember that the weight is not always distributed evenly between the wheels. When cornering or braking hard, most of the load is shifted to two or one wheel. Some tires differ in load depending on their placement (front and rear axle).

Sometimes the tire is marked "MAX LOAD" (maximum load) with a number in pounds or / and kilograms.

Maximum speed index (letter)

The highest speed at which the tire can withstand the corresponding load.

Important : The maximum speed index implies a long trip. If tires with a parameter of 200 km / h are used, then the car can move at a speed of 220 km / h for 10-15 minutes. However, when driving for a long time, the tire becomes very hot, which will lead to its deformation and destruction.

Pay attention to the recommendations of the manufacturers regarding the speed at vehicle loads close to the maximum. First of all, this applies to light truck and truck tires. At 100% load, the speed should be no more than 80% of the maximum, at 90% load - 90%. This information is contained in the tire specifications.

Additionally

TREADWEAR  (wear indicator) - allows you to estimate the life of the tire. This characteristic is indicated by a number from 60 to 620 with an interval of 20 units. The higher this parameter, the longer the tire "lives". The duration of the operation of rubber is also affected by driving style, road conditions and some other factors.

TRACTION A  (traction index) - allows you to evaluate the braking properties of the tire. This parameter is indicated by a letter index from "A" to "C". "A" is the maximum value.

TEMPERATURE A  (temperature characteristic) - indicates the resistance of rubber to temperature. The letters "A" through "C" are also used to designate this parameter. "A" - the maximum parameter of resistance to heat.

MAX PRESSURE  (internal pressure index) - the maximum allowable pressure in the tire. It is measured in kilopascals (kPa).

RADIAL  - radial tire.

REINFORCED  - reinforced rubber.

REGROOVABLE  - on such a tire, you can deepen the tread pattern using cutting.

ALL STEEL  - rubber with a metal cord breaker and a power carcass.

E  - rubber certification for the EU.

DOT  - US Tire Certification.

DSI  or  TWI  - indicated on the wear indicator (a protrusion at the bottom of the tread groove with a height of 1.6 mm, indicating the maximum degree of wear).

M&S  (Mud + Snow) - universal winter tires.

W  - winter tire.

All Season  (AS) / Any Weather (AW) - all-season / all-weather tires.

Rotation  ("arrow") - the direction of rotation of the tire. If the wheel rotates in the opposite direction, it will cause hydroplaning even in light rain.

Outside, Inside  - tires with an asymmetric tread pattern. Such rubber should be installed in accordance with the name: the “Outside” marking is on the outside of the car, and “Inside” is on the inside.

Right, Left  - left and right tires. This rubber should be installed in strict accordance with the name: the inscription “Right” is on the right, “Left” is on the left.

AQUA, RAIN, WATER  (sometimes "umbrella") - rain tires with high resistance to aquaplaning.

Selection Tips

• First of all, pay attention to the manufacturer of rubber. Well-known brands provide high quality products, but such rubber will cost more than lesser-known brands with comparable characteristics. Do not purchase tires from unknown manufacturers, questionable in terms of quality, and hence safety.
• The high price is determined not only by the popularity of the brand. More expensive tires reduce stopping distance, noise level, fuel consumption, improve handling and dynamic performance of the car.
• Pay attention to the rating of rubber. It indicates the place occupied by a tire of a certain model, according to the results of testing. This information is useful when comparing tires with similar characteristics and belonging to the same group. The rating helps to evaluate the quality of tires tested in practice, without a detailed dive into various nuances.
• When choosing tires, be guided solely by the range of sizes recommended by the car manufacturer, since any deviations can impair the handling of the car. Such changes also lead to a distortion of the speedometer parameters.
• You can not install tires with different tread patterns on the car, as well as tires for different purposes - in this case, the wheels will have different grip, which is unacceptable.
• Do not use worn tyres. The minimum tread depth for passenger cars is 1.6 mm.
• For uniform tire wear, you should change them in places after 10,000-15,000 km.
• When buying, pay attention to the date of production: rubber tends to age. Tires can be stored for 3 years without loss of properties, always under the right conditions! Buying tires older is quite risky.