Question 1

How do I read a tire's sidewall to tell its size?

Accepted Answer

A tire's size is expressed in the format WWW/AA-DD (i.e. 205/60-15) where WWW is the tire's sidewall-to-sidewall Width in millimeters (205), AA is the Aspect ratio or profile of the tire which specifies the tire's height as a percentage of its width (60% of 205 = 123mm) and DD is the diameter of the wheel that the tire is mounted on in inches (15 inches).

If the size is shown as P205/60R15, the "P" stands for Passenger and the "R" is for Radial ply construction. Note that the width does not measure the tread, which can vary significantly between tires with the same nominal width, even within product lines from the same manufacturer.

Question 2

What inflation pressure should I use in my tires?

Accepted Answer

Recommended tire pressures are set by the car manufacturer, not by the tire manufacturer and are stated in the owners manual as well as on a sticker in the door jamb or on the glovebox lid. It's important to check pressures frequently; at least once a month - more often if you find that you're losing pressure. For consistency, always measure pressures before driving when the tires are cold (parked for at least four hours; preferably overnight).

Question 3

When do I need a tire rotation?

Accepted Answer

Recommendations for tire rotation patterns and mileage intervals vary; check your car's Owners Manual and the tire manufacturer's recommendations for some guidelines. As a general rule, rotation is advised at least every 10,000 miles. It may be prudent to rotate more often if you're using ultra high performance tires that wear quickly, or if your car's suspension settings tend to wear the tires at one end of the car at a much more rapid pace. Many people find it convenient and a helpful reminder to rotate their tires along with their oil change schedule, every 7,500 miles for the typical car or every other change for those with more frequent changes.

Question 4

What factors are important to consider when choosing tires?

Accepted Answer

The best tire depends upon a wide variety of factors, and the more specific you can be when asking a pro for advice, the better advice you're likely to receive:

What car, truck or minivan do you drive? What's the stock tire size? Are you considering a change? How do you drive? Is your driving style aggressive, passive or in-between? Where do you drive? City, highway, back roads, mountains, at the track? In what kind of weather? What's your regional climate? Is the car used year round? How much snow or heavy rain do you get? What's most important to you? How would you prioritize traction, ride comfort, treadwear, steering response, handling and noise? What's your price expectation? How important is value compared to the tire performance items you prioritized above? Do you have any particular brands or models in mind? Have you had good or bad experiences with any models in the past? How did your current tires perform?

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