A vehicle’s tires not only determine our safety and driving experience, but also our vehicle’s performance, efficiency, and durability. This makes choosing the right tire for your vehicle one of the most important decisions you can make. Now don’t worry, we know how stressful that can be – finding the perfect type, size, and features of tires that fit your needs. That is why, we, at Gov Motors in Maryland, can help you make your decision by taking everything into consideration.
Decoding Tire Sizes and Specifications
The numbers and letters inscribed on tires, such as P215/65R15, represent a multitude of information, such as the tire type, width to aspect ratio and speed rating. Let’s break this down to truly understand what these markings indicate.
Tire type
The first letter of the inscription (P 215/65 R 15 89) represents the class/type of the tire:
- P represents a passenger vehicle tire, such as cars, SUVs, minivans, or Electric Vehicles (EVs).
- LT represents a tire for a light truck that can carry a heavy load. This is also great for those who prefer heavy duty tires.
- ST represents a special trailer, such as fifth wheels, boat and utility trailers, etc.
- C represents a commercial van tire.
- T represents a temporary tire, such as those used for replacement purposes.
- XL, HL represent tires with heavier than normal load capacities, and can only be replaced by the same type.
Tire Width and aspect ratio
The pair of first 3 digits and next 2 digits (P 215/65 R 15 89) indicate the tire’s width and aspect ratio respectively:
- Tire width is measured nominally from one side of the tire to the other, and is stated in mm.
- The aspect ratio, meaning the ratio between the tire’s height and width, is measured as a percentage.
Tire construction type
The next letter on the tire markings (P 215/65 R 15 89) would be the construction type of the tire.
- R, meaning a radial tire (also the most common type nowadays). These have great road grip and gas mileage/electric range than older tire versions.
- B, meaning a bias tire, or a D, meaning a diagonal tire. These are more common amongst motorcycles and trailers rather than other vehicles.
Tire Diameter
The two digits (P 215/65 R 15 89) following the tire construction type are indicative of its diameter of the wheel rim, measured in inches.
Load index
The last set of digits (P 215/65 R 15 89) represent the maximum weight that that single tire can carry once it is inflated adequately. This is measured in kilograms.
There are even more indications that can help you select the perfect tire, such as a little mountain or snowflake logo on some tires, or a “M+S” inscribed on your tire will represent a tire that can perform in snow or mud and snow, respectively.
Types of Tires
Choosing the right tires depends on your driving habits. All-season, summer, winter, touring tires, and performance tires are some options. It is important to consider your driving conditions and type of vehicle you have to determine the tire you need. Lets explore the different types of tires:
All-season tires
These tires are fitted into the more mainstream passenger cars, SUVs, and trucks etc., and are speed-rated as “S” and “T” for a longer mileage. They offer a smooth driving experience, for “all seasons”.
Summer tires
For driving in places of higher temperatures, summer tires are ideal. These tires come with a strong grip and responsive handling in various situations, such as dry or wet weather. However, they should not be used in icy or wintery environments.
Winter tires
These tires are most suitable for temperatures below the freezing point and cannot be used in warmer weather due to their rubber compounds being too soft.
Touring tires
These are the most widely used type for all the primary categories owing to their comfort level, quietness, and durability. They possess characteristics similar to passenger tires (mentioned above) but have improved features such as responsive handling and higher speed ratings.
Performance tires
For a higher speed rating than touring tires and enhanced grip in all weather conditions, specially wet weather, performance tires are the right choice. These tires come with extra grip to ensure safety.
All-terrain or Mud-Terrain tires
As the name suggests, such tires can be used for majority on-road, but also the occasional or mild off-road traveling.
Their special tread patterns provide grip and comfort on uneven surfaces like dirt, sand, or gravel. Mud-terrain tires are even more specialized for difficult off-road conditions.
Choosing the Right Tire
Now that you have all the information you will need, the next step is to use this information and choose the right tire for your needs. A diverse range of factors goes into making this decision, such as tire sizes, performance, and types, as well as additional features or built-in advantages of one tire over another.
It’s now time for you to consider what your driving conditions and preferences are. Some special driving conditions will need separate considerations. For example, if you own a minivan and drive it to snowy, hilly areas for winter trips, a tire type P in the winter and/or all-terrain categories would suit you perfectly!
It is always important to remember the care and maintenance requirements for each type of tire – do they fall within your capacity in every way? For example, if you cannot cope with high levels of care and maintenance, all-season tires would be the most convenient fit for you.
Think about your vehicle, your requirements, and any additional preferences, and prioritize them alongside. If you are still unsure, Gov Motors has your back – all things tire-related? We are your solution.
Where to Find the Right Tires in Maryland?
Gov Motors in Glen Burnie, MD, offers a range of high-quality tire brands as well as tire warranties. Trust our experts to provide personalized guidance in choosing the right tires. We aim to understand deeply what your driving habits, lifestyle requirements, and vehicle constraints look like and cater our tire services to match your needs. Our promise to you is to provide quality yet affordable services, with standards unmatched in all MD.