News

It is very important for any driver to know the ins and outs of tire care and maintenance. As it easily wears out when not maintained properly, vehicle owners must always stay within the limits specified for a particular type of tire. Some vehicles are capable of carrying heavy loads, while some can move at high speeds depending on the equipped tire type. However, manufacturers put design limits and descriptions on tires for the drivers to know the corresponding specifications and limits.

What does the markings on the tire mean? It is especially helpful for auto repair experts to identify this to be able to carry out tire service operations.

Let’s use this for example: P 205/55R16 89H M+S

The P stands for a passenger-car tire. Other letters determine the type of tire (and consequently, the type of vehicle operation): T for temporary, as in spare tire; LT for light truck; and C for commercial. Some tires, however, do not include this letter.

The first three number, in this example, 205, correspond to the tire’s width in millimetres.

For the 55R16 segment, the 55 refers to the tire’s profile – the height of its sidewall relative to its width. In other words, it is the sidewall’s aspect ratio in percentage. For the example, the sidewall height is 55% of the tire’s width, which is 205mm. This is known as the tire’s series. Sporty tires have lower-series tires while off-road tires tend to be higher-series, designed to absorb the impact from rough surfaces.

The R means radial tire, which is a description of the way underlying layers, or plies, are laid out. For performance tires, an extra letter (from N to Z) precedes the R as a designation of the tire’s maximum speed rating in mph; the lowest is N with 87 and the highest is Y with 186, while Z is an open-ended rating that means the tire’s maximum speed is, at minimum, 150.

The 16 is the tire’s diameter, in inches, of the rim on which the tire fits.

89H is the service description. It represents the tire’s load and speed ratings. The tire’s 89 load index is equivalent to 1,279 pounds per tire, and the speed rating H represents 130 mph.

Lastly, the M+S stands for mud and snow, hence, indicating that the tire is of an all-season type. t's not the clearest of the specs, because there aren't other designations for summer and winter tires: Summer tires simply lack the M+S, and winter tires are labeled M+S and add an icon of a mountain plastered with a giant snowflake.

With these markings, the auto repair is now ready to determine proper treatment for malfunctioning or damaged tires. Conversely, by looking at the tire condition, he can also tell what kind of exploitation (or combination of such) it has gone through. Moreover, he is able to advice the vehicle user about the threshold at which a tire may simply start to go wrong.

Hence, it is imperative to have your tires checked today to avoid further hassle and hazards in your driving tomorrow.

Tires are known to be the most important safety mechanism of any vehicle. Be it a passenger car or a light truck, each and every automotive vehicle depends on tires for efficient running condition. Now that the prices of new tires are skyrocketing in the market of Tampa FL, car owners are looking for alternative ways of salvaging their old and used tires. Tire professionals within the area recommend recapping or regrooving procedures for tires with worn out tread.

Basically, a recapped tire is a tire that has its old tread layer removed. Recapping is the process of restoring a used tire to make it usable again. This is done by bonding new rubber unto the worn tire tread and the whole lateral surface. You just take an old worn out tire, remove the old tread by slicing it off, then mold unto it a new layer of tread.

Recapping is also called retreading by some tire specialists. The only thing that you need to remember before recapping your tires is that you need to be aware of your tire temperature. Tires that have been recapped should never get too hot. Otherwise, the tread would come off the tire and lead to road mishaps.

Another tire procedure closely related to recapping is tire regrooving. Regrooving is another tire procedure aimed at prolonging the life of tires. However, there are legal boundaries when it comes to this tire procedure. Tampa FL and other states have legal tire depth requirements that should be followed. As such, certain prohibitions and limitations apply to tire regrooving. For one, recapped tires should never be regrooved for there may not be enough tire rubber needed for a successful regrooving operation. In addition, if the metal weaving within the rubber is already exposed after a regrooving procedure, then the tire is not fit for legal use in Tampa FL and nearby states.

To have an idea as to how regrooving works, here is a brief summary of the whole process:

1. The tire regrooving tool is allowed to heat up until the required temperature is achieved. the cutting edge of the regrooving tool is placed in between the trough and tire tread. Apply sufficient amount of pressure to the cutting edge in order to cut through the tire rubber.
2. As the tire rubber is cut by the tool, pull out the end of the rubber that gets stuck on the regrooving tool at the end of each cutting stroke. It is advisable that you cut a straight line through the tire tread rather than following the original tread groove or trough pattern.
3. Lastly, measure the tread depth to ensure that it is still within the legal requisites as required by law. For commercial trucks, a minimum tire tread depth of 0.125 inch on power unit steering axles and 0.0625 inch on all other axles are required. Meanwhile, the out-of-service criteria only requires 0.0625 inch tire tread depth on power unit steering axles and 0.03125 inch on all other axles. You can continue regrooving in each circumferential groove as long as you are within this bound.

Every responsible car owner in Tampa FL should know how to spot good tires from bad ones. Much depends from this. You see,  tires serve as the backbones of vehicles because they are the ones which provide traction, braking, steering, load support, shock absorption making car passengers experience a smooth and comfortable ride.

So when buying a set of tires for your vehicle, it is important that you have a consistent brand, size, type, and design that you stick to. Switching to a different one will cause you additional time spent on adjusting your car into a new tire configuration.

There are two options in Tampa FL for those of you who want to buy a set of tires: either you go for new tires or used tires. If you are going to go after new tires, you should choose  the all season type. All season type of tires give better traction in dry and wet conditions. However, if you choose to buy used tires instead, you should be extra cautious when inspecting tread patterns to see if they are still fit for vehicular use.

It is a fact that new tires provide better traction during the winter season. But we also recognize the fact that financial constraints can push people to buy used tires instead of new ones. Used tires come way cheaper than new tires and they provide good alternatives to those who are heavily burdened by the economic crisis that the country is currently facing.

Remember that there is nothing wrong in purchasing used tires in case you cannot afford the prices of new tires. You just have to know how and where to spot the good ones. There are a lot of tire shops in Tampa FL that offer used tires in good condition. Used tires in good condition can hold out well in various types of road and driving conditions.

Whether buying new tires or used ones, always check out the tread pattern, the tire’s general condition, as well as the cost. Tires do not come in cheap nowadays so we have to do comparing and contrasting especially in price rates and choose those that offers the best package.

Choosing the proper set of tires for a vehicle should never be taken for granted. These are the car’s primary safety mechanism since engines and brakes work directly through them. But it does not stop there. Do not forget to install a tire gauge to properly monitor your tire’s condition. In addition, maintain your tires well. Clean them regularly and always check for signs of wear, tear, and damage.

A tire is a ring-shaped, rubber material that covers a wheel rim. It serves as a protective and flexible cushion that absorbs shock and keeps the wheel in close contact with the ground.

Different etymologies account for the present form “tire”. Oxford English Dictionary suggests is a derivative of the word “attire”.  Other sources, however, links the word to the verb “to tie”. However farfetched it may seem, these all made significant impact on the evokution of the tire industry.

The spelling was even more a matter of dispute. During the 15th to 17th century, there was a synchronic variation in spellings tyre and tire. By 1700 though, tyre had become and obsolete term, and tire became the standard spelling. However, during the 19th century, UK revived the spelling tyre after the invention of pneumatic tires. To this day, tyre is an established spelling in British English, while American English prefers the form tire.

The first tires were the ones used for carts and wagons. They were manufactured by wheelwrights, skilled workers who forged metals to contract and fit tightly on wooden wheels. Because the tire is made of metal, it was often subject to distortions due to pressure or road roughness. Generally however, tires were fortified to be able to sustain heavy pressures and long-term usage.

Later on, metal tires evolved to pneumatic tires. Pneumatic tires take the form of what we have today: air-filled and inflatable. First to be recognized for this pioneering invention was John Boyd Dunlop, who designed the tire that way in an attempt to keep his son away from headaches when riding the bicycle on rough roads. However, Dunlop’s patent was afterwards declared invalid because of his products similarity with an earlier work by fellow Robert William Thomson.

Pneumatic tires have two major parts: the tread and the body.

The basic function of the tread is to provide traction. It is the part that comes in contact with the ground. Made of thick rubber or composite compound, the tread is specially designed to give an appropriate level of traction that does not wear away too quickly. Treads are also specifically designed for the type of road or pavement the wheel will be travelling on.

The body of pneumatic tires on the other hand ensures overall tire support. Today, bodies are composed of cords and wires encased in rubber. The inside is filled up with compressed air to form its shape and function as an inflatable cushion.

Today, tires are made of synthetic rubber, natural rubber, fabric, wire, and other compound chemicals. Flexible elastomer materials, such as rubber, are the basic components of tires, providing durability.

Twentieth century has seen the rise of tire companies, the same time that automobile industry was booming. Today, in average, over 1 billion tires are produced in a year in over 400 tire factories. Three leading tire companies account for 60% of global market share. The top five manufacturing firms by revenue are Bridgestone, Michelin, Goodyear, Continental AG, and Pirelli.

Back in 2004, $80 billion of tires were sold globally, while 2010 had $140 billion total sales. And as the car manufacturing industry hasn’t reached its old age yet, the tire industry will also remain to flourish.

One of the basic skills every driver must learn is changing flat tires. In a very unfortunate instance or during emergency, it is important that we know to change tire, especially if there is no mechanic shop near the place or your mobile phone battery is drained. It pays to know this very essential job that will get you back in the road in no time.

Always keep in your car instructional materials or manuals about the step-by-step procedure on changing tires. It is better that you have this handy item with you any time. There are many key points that you have to remember in changing tires. Wearing of safety gear like eye protector is important whenever you need to change tires. Better safe than sorry. Also remember that when going underneath your car, make sure that there is enough support to your car. You wouldn’t want to end up crashed by your own car.

There are a couple of items that you need when changing tires. You will need a large screwdriver, tire iron, wheel nut wrench, jack, gloves, rubber mallet, and wheel chocks. Now, here’s the step-by-step procedure on changing tires:

1. The area where you will change your tires must be flat or as much as possible in a level ground. Apply the parking brake and place manual transmission cars in gear. Turn off the engine. Safety tip: Make sure that passing vehicles know that you’re on changing tires. You may turn on the hazards lights or place anything near you that will notify them that you’re on-going repairs.
2. Get your wheel chock or if you don’t have one, use a large rock to prevent the car from rolling. Get you repairs essentials such as spare tires, tire iron, and jack. If you need to remove the hubcap, do so.
3. Loosen the lug nuts before jacking up your car. Using your lug wrench, turn it counter clockwise to loosen the nuts.
4. Get your jack and place it underneath your car. Be sure that you know where to place your jack correctly. Raise the jack high enough that you can remove the tires. Remove the flat tires after you have removed the lug nuts from the wheel.
5. Get you spare tires and align the holes in the wheel. Once the tire is properly placed, tighten up the lug nuts. Lower your car by lowering the jack.
6. Double check every detail before you head back on the road again. Make sure that the lug nuts are tight enough. Remember, it takes time changing tires. You would not want to repeat the same process again.

Always keep a spare tire in your car. Sometimes even at the most inconvenient time, a flat tire pops up. However, nowadays with the advancement in technology, there are cars with warning system indicating flat tires. But if your car doesn’t have one, you have to deal with the process of changing tires. It is a tedious task but it doesn’t have to be very bad at all. Enough knowledge and skill on changing tires is as important as knowing how to drive. So read a lot, and watch self-taught videos on this. You’ll never know when you’ll change one.