Wheels and Tires For Your Vehicle - What You Need To Know

If you have bought a new vehicle and come to the point where you need to replace the wheels and tires, there are quite a few ways to precede further. How to select them with some ground-floor facts when it comes time to make a replacement tire purchase or a wheel-and-tire upgrade?

Here is a list of what you should think about before choosing the tire to buy for your wheels and of course this information also applies when you are doing a wheel upgrade as well.

Speed ratings signify the safe top speed of a tire under perfect conditions. The part of what you're paying for the speed rating is something you will never use. Be alert that tires with higher speed ratings are more often than not made from a softer rubber compound and generally will have shorter UTQG (Uniform Tire Quality Grading) tread life ratings and will not truly last as long in the real world. If you live in Oregon or Washington you will want to look more closely at a capable wet-weather tire than if you are in Nevada or Arizona. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires every manufacturer to grade its tires under the UTQG labeling system and set up ratings for tread wear, traction and temperature resistance.

Actual performance of the tire can differ significantly depending on situations, but the tire's UTQG tread life number can help you get an idea of how long a tire will truly last. A low-profile tire such as a 50 or a 40-series looks great, but can be harsh over bumps or potholes when compared to a 55 or 60. Lower profile tires also have stiffer sidewalls, which improves handling but damage ride quality. Some tread designs are noisier than others and it varies significantly between tire brands and tread designs. A good salesperson will be able to tell you which tires are quieter among those in road noise. Balancing is a must anytime tires are mounted on wheels.

One of the two main reasons the majority people consider a wheel change is just for looks. Plus sizing your wheels and tires is the most excellent way to improve both the performance and appearance of your vehicle. Besides plus sizing the benefits of a good-quality alloy wheel are numerous. Either way you end up with reduced weight compared to steel wheels. This is a factor affecting a vehicle's road holding ability. The added strength of a quality alloy wheel can also decrease tire deflection in cornering. Your life depends on a few square inches of rubber when you drive your car or truck.