Category Archives: Tire Buying

Replacing Two Tires – Age Before Beauty

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Dear Tracy,

I recently did the “penny test” and discovered that the two front tires on my Ford Focus need to be replaced.The rear tires still have a decent amount of tread left. I asked my dad how the two sets could be so different and he explained that on front wheel drive cars, the front tires wear out faster if the tires have been not regularly rotated. (Then he lectured me about not having my tires rotated.)

So I thought I needed to have two new tires put on the front of my car, but my dad said that the new tires need to go on the rear, and the ones that were on the rear get moved to the front. This does not make sense to me! If the front tires wear faster, why wouldn’t I put the new ones on the front? That way, by the time the front ones wear out, I’ll be ready for a whole new set. Plus if it is a front wheel drive car, shouldn’t you have the better tires in the front?

Peter B.

Dear Peter,

Your line of thinking does seem logical, but I am going to have to agree with your dad on this one.  Here is why:

No matter what type of car you have, the driving stability that enables you to brake and steer is provided by the rear tires. Installing  your new tires on the rear will help you to maintain vehicle control on wet roads. This is largely because of the different types of hydroplaning that can occur.

Hydroplaning happens when tires cannot maintain road contact due to the tire’s failure to move water through tread patterns. When front tires hydroplane, the vehicle trends to understeer or stay straight. When rear tires hydroplane, the vehicle tends to oversteer, or spin. While understeering can be alleviated by releasing the gas pedal and slowing down, in the case of oversteering it is much harder to regain control. This is why it is important to have the better tread on the rear tires. To see a demonstration, check out this video.

I know getting a lecture on tire rotation from your dad may seem like adding insult to injury, but again, father knows best. The optimal way handle this dilemma is to avoid it. Next time you have a new, full set of tires remember to keep them rotated.

Rolling Resistance & Fuel Economy

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Dear Tracy,

I know that I am going to need to replace my tires soon and am currently doing research on my options. Can you tell me how important a factor “rolling resistance” is when selecting tires? Is this a crucial feature in getting the best fuel economy with my car?

Adam S.

Dear Adam,

Rolling resistance refers to the force resisting motion when the tire moves along the surface of the road. The rolling resistance of a vehicle’s tires definitely does have an impact on its fuel economy. In fact, most vehicle manufacturers specify original equipment tires with low rolling resistance to optimize performance for government Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) mandate testing. These tires are usually designed for lower weight and rolling resistance, and can be constructed with thinner sidewalls and shallower tread depths. Even the tire’s chemistry may have an impact of rolling resistance. While good for fuel economy, these tires may not have all the attributes you would want in your replacement tires.

Fuel economy is one of many tire buying considerations you should think about in selecting a set of replacement tires. The type of tire you select should offer both performance and safety for your particular car, the type of driving you do, and for the climate in which you live and drive. Many of today’s major tire manufacturers are now offering fuel-saving, low-rolling-resistance tires. Make sure you work with your tire dealer to find a quality tire that offers a good balance of the features and benefits that are important to you.

Finally, when striving for the best fuel economy, remember that your tire selection is just the beginning. Proper tire maintenance is essential not only in getting the best fuel economy, but also making the most of your tire investment. Monitor your tire pressure at least monthly, and keep the pressure level at the amount recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. The correct pressure will be listed in your owner’s manual or labeled on the driver side doorjamb. Regular checks on balance and alignment will also help to make sure you get the best mileage and longest performance life from your tires.

What’s in a Tire?

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Dear Tracy,

I need to purchase new tires for my car, and I am trying to sift through all of the claims that the different manufacturers advertise. I think it would help if I had a better understanding of how tires are made, so I know what features are important.  Can you explain how tires are made in a way that is easy to understand?

-Jennifer J.

Dear Jennifer,

I think it is great that you want to be an educated tire buyer! Understanding the basic construction of tires is a great place to begin.

Tires are much more complex and technologically advanced today than ever before. Manufacturers combine engineering features and chemical formulas to create the best performing tires for a variety of road conditions, climates, and driving styles. The latest advances in tire technology offer the best in performance, ride comfort, fuel efficiency, safety, and reliability.

Tires are made up of many different elements, assembled in a tire building machine. The basic components of a tire include the bead, the body ply, the belt package, and the sidewall.

The bead, a loop of high-strength, rubber coated cable, is where the tire gets its strength. When tires are mounted on the wheel rim, the bead strength allows the tires to withstand the pressure of the mounting machine.

The body ply refers to the layers that make up the tire. Plies or layers of fabric are rubber coated, sealing and bonding the elements together. In addition to the bead, the strength of the tire also comes from the number of plies.

The belt package involves bands of steel incorporated into steel belted radial tires to reinforce the area under the tread. The belt package provides better road surface contact and puncture resistance.

The sidewall is the surface area, where you will find the identification letters and decorative features. The sidewall of the tire provides protection, stability, and resistance to abrasion.

After assembly, tires are cured and finished to precise specifications. It is during this step that all of the markings and tread patterns are molded into the tire. This is also when the heating or vulcanizing process bonds all of the components together in the final phase of creating the tire.

Tracy’s Tips: Don’t Labor over Buying Tires, Just be Prepared

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Those of you who are in the market for new tires may be looking for some Labor Day tire sales this weekend. I thought this might be a good time to share some of Tracy’s Tips for buying tires.

There are many things to consider when shopping for new tires. If you can find a trusted tire retailer in your area, the tire buying process will be much easier. A knowledgeable and reputable tire dealer will be able to recommend the type of tire that will best fit your needs and your budget. A good tire salesperson will ask you questions about the type of driving you do and how you use your vehicle. He or she will guide you in considering factors such as tread life, ride and handling, and driving conditions, helping you to determine what is most important to you. It’s important that you and the salesperson communicate as accurately as possible so your requirements are clearly understood.

Before you start your tire buying adventure, here are some quick tips to remember:

  1. Consider the UTQG rating. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires each manufacturer to grade its tires under the UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grading) labeling system and establish ratings for tread wear, traction and temperature resistance.
  2. Think about your climate. Consider the types of weather you experience in your area. Whether it’s a lot of rain or heavy snow falls, your tires will have to meet the challenge. Make sure you make the safest selection to handle the road conditions you will face.
  3. Decide how important ride quality is to you. Some types of tires make your car look great but you may not get the smooth, comfortable ride you desire.
  4. Some tread designs cause tires to create more road noise. This varies significantly between tire brands and tread designs. If most of the driving you do is highway driving, you’ll want to consider your options, especially if you’re driving an SUV on pavement most of the time. A good salesperson will be able to tell you which tires are quieter among those you’re considering.
  5. Check the recommendations listed in your owner’s manual and information placard. It is important that your tire selection is in keeping with the manufacturer recommendations for the best and safest performance.

Once you have made your purchase, and ready to have your tires installed, remember to have other checks made, such as the alignment and balance. If a vehicle maintenance problem caused your old set of tires to wear out too rapidly, the same thing will happen to the new tires if the issue goes unaddressed.

Tire Performance Ratings

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Dear Tracy,
I have heard that when shopping for tires it is important to consider the tire performance rating. Can you tell me what tire performance rating an average driver needs? I am also wondering what the rating is based upon and who does the rating?
-Anne B.

Dear Anne,
Thanks for your question! Let me begin by explaining a little bit about what tire performance ratings are, and then give you some details about what those ratings mean to you as a driver and tire buyer.

It is true that tire performance ratings are an important factor to look at when choosing the right tires for your vehicle. Tire performance ratings, also called speed ratings, indicate the maximum speed range in which a particular tire can safely and effectively perform. The U.S. Department of Transportation has designated a rating system which includes a letter rating with a corresponding test speed, to assure a reliable standard for all tires. Tire manufacturers do their own laboratory testing to determine which rating their individual models should receive. The most commonly encountered speed ratings include:

• M — Up to 81 mph
• N — Up to 87 mph
• P — Up to 93 mph
• Q — Up to 99 mph
• R — Up to 106 mph
• S — Up to 112 mph
• T — Up to 118 mph
• H — Up to 130 mph
• V — Up to 149 mph
• W — Up to 168 mph
• Y — Up to 186 mph

Obviously most of these are test speeds, not speeds that the average driver traveling on U.S. roadways will be reaching. In order to determine what tire performance/speed rating is best for your vehicle’s handling, you should go with the recommendation of your vehicle manufacturer. While it is okay to choose a higher than recommended performance rating, you should definitely not make a selection that is lower. It is also best to be sure that all four of your tires carry the same speed rating. If you are unsure about what tire performance rating you need, your qualified tire dealer can help.