A Quick-and-Simple Car Tire FAQ

There seems to be a lot of confusion out there regarding tires, which is a little bit surprising, considering how important they are. We think basic automotive care should be part of the high school curriculum, and if it were, you could spend a full month on tires alone.

Unfortunately, they don’t really teach tire basics in school. Fortunately, you have us to help you out.

We combed the internet and our service center voicemail, and found some of your most burning tire-related questions. Now, let’s see if we can provide some answers.

Tire Measurements

Have you ever noticed all the numbers and letters imprinted into the rubber on the side of your tire? These are your tire measurements and specifications and understanding them is crucial when the time comes to choose the right tire to fit your vehicle’s rim. Factory tire and rim measurements can be found in your owner’s manual, or in the doorjamb sticker on the driver’s door.

As an example, we’ll take a common measurement you’d find on a tire for a 2022 Hyundai Sonata SE:

P205/65R16 95H

Or,

P

205

65

R

16

95

H

Vehicle Class

P. This optional digit indicates the type of vehicle the car is rated for—in this case, “P” stands for “passenger vehicle.” Many top tire brands will not have this digit.

(Note: larger SUVs and trucks may fall under the “LT” or “light truck” class, and will have a slightly different measurement system.)

Width

205. These digits show the tire’s overall width in millimeters.

Aspect Ratio

65. These digits represent the sidewall height, expressed as a percentage of the width (i.e. the sidewall height is 65% of the overall width).

Construction

R. This letter shows the overall tire design. Almost all passenger cars have the designation “R,” which means “radial.”

Rim Diameter

16. This number is the rim size that fits the tire. In this case, the rim is 16 inches.

Load Index

95. This number is a representation of the maximum weight the tire is rated for. In this case, the number 95 translates to just over 1,500 pounds.

Speed Rating

H. This letter represents the speed at which the tire can safely travel under normal conditions. “H” translates to 130 miles per hour.

Other Measurements

There are a few other codes imprinted on most consumer tires.

Tires are required to have a maximum inflation pressure; however, you should not inflate the tire to this level. Instead, use the optimal PSI laid out in the owner’s manual.

Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) can also be found, expressed as three values: treadwear, traction, and temperature. These measurements give you a rough idea of the optimal conditions for the specific tire type.

Common Types of Tires

Now that you know how to read your tire, we can check out the different types, and how they differ.

All-Season Tires

As the name suggests, all-season tires are meant to provide traction and stability in a wide range of conditions. They’re the most common type of tire you can think of them as the “jack of all trades,” and they’re often recognized as some of the best tire brands for people in milder climates.

While they do well in a variety of situations, their performance tends to suffer in extreme weather like heavy rain or snow. They also aren’t optimized for frequent high speeds and may wear out faster if they’re frequently driven on the highway.

All-Weather Tires

Some people think that all-weather tires and all-season tires are interchangeable terms. Despite the similar name, they do differ slightly.

All-weather tires are generally made of slightly tougher stuff than all-season tires, and their tread patterns make them better suited to deal with moderately bad weather like snowfall and excessive rain. Because of their increased utility, these are sometimes seen as the true best tires for all seasons.

Summer Tires

The difference between all-season and summer tires is that summer tires boast better wet and dry traction in warmer climates, which grants better performance. However, their performance suffers noticeably in snowy and icy conditions, which makes them ill-suited to colder parts of the world.

Winter Tires

The difference between winter and summer tires is probably obvious: winter tires do a much better job of maintaining traction in snow and ice. They’re great for people who live in high latitudes and mountainous regions, but their performance suffers under warm weather driving conditions. In some locales, it’s common to keep a set of snow tires as backup. If you have a set, you should switch to winter tires when the average temperature dips below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Touring Tires

These tires are maximized for long-distance travel, and as such they’re made of stronger material, and the tread is optimized to provide a smooth ride with minimal road noise and rumbling. Grand touring tires also exist, and while these terms are sometimes used to describe the same thing, GT tires trend toward an even smoother ride.

Performance Tires

Performance and high-performance tires are designed to provide the best max speed rating, while also enabling the best handling. Many of these tires sport a more lateral tread pattern, meaning the tread goes “side-to-side,” or against the grain. There are multiple subcategories, including all-season performance tires and summer performance tires. Generally speaking, performance tires don’t do very well in inclement weather.

Tire Service and Maintenance

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of proper tire maintenance with some frequently asked questions.

How Often Should I Replace My Car Tires?

All tires come with an approximate mileage that given tire is expected to last. In practice, the lifespan of a tire can vary wildly depending on your driving habits.

There are a few ways to know when to replace the tires. You can measure the tread depth at home, either using a special measuring tool or, in a pinch, you can use a penny. A new tire will have a tread depth of approximately 10/32 of an inch, and it’ll need to be replaced when it reaches 2/32 of an inch. If you stick a penny into the center tread, look at Abe’s head; if the tread doesn’t rise above the top of his head from the edge of the coin, it’s time for a replacement.

You can also check the tread wear indicators, which are small, hard bumps located at various points inside the central tread groove. If the rubber has worn down to be level with the bump, you’re due for a new set.

Should I Replace All Four Tires?

It depends.

If you just bought new tires in the past few thousand miles, they’re still relatively new. So, if you catch a nail in the sidewall or hit a pothole and have a blowout, you’ll likely be able to get away with buying a similar replacement tire. Even if they’re slightly older, you should be able to compensate for the uneven wear with regular rotations (more on that in a second).

On the other hand, if all your tires are old and you find you need to replace one, you might as well go ahead and replace them all. It may be more money up front, but if your tires are getting to the end of their lifespan and one blows out, it’s only a matter of time before the rest follow suit. This presents a dangerous situation for you and others, so changing all four is the best way to go. You can also get some pretty significant discounts by purchasing a whole set from a tire department, as opposed to buying them piecemeal.

Are Tire Rotations Necessary?

Absolutely.

Some people believe that a tire rotation is just another way for mechanics to nickel and dime them. In truth, having your tires properly rotated can prolong their lifespan, and save you gobs of money in the long run.

Broadly speaking, the front tires of a vehicle will wear out faster than the rear tires. This happens for a couple of reasons mostly, it’s because of the extra stress that’s put on the front tires when a turn is executed. There are a couple other factors as well, including the drivetrain (tires on a 2WD vehicle will wear a bit differently than a vehicle with AWD or 4WD).

Regardless, you should absolutely have your tires rotated about every 10,000 miles, or every other oil change.

What Is the Correct Tire Pressure for My Car?

As we mentioned briefly a minute ago, passenger vehicle tires usually have a “max inflation pressure” rating, but this number is basically just the absolute most the tires can handle before they explode. Running max pressure for an extended period of time isn’t good for the tires.

Instead, you should keep the tires at the pressure noted in the vehicle owner’s manual, or the sticker on the doorjamb. The ideal pressure range is commonly somewhere between 30 and 35 PSI. Modern vehicles also have internal tire pressure sensors, which will alert drivers if pressure is too high or low.

Low tire pressure can be detrimental as well, even if the tire isn’t visibly deflated. Low pressure increases the likelihood of blowouts due to bumps and potholes. If left unattended, long-term low pressure will also cause uneven tire wear, which severely reduces the tire’s lifespan and will cost you way more money over time.

Are Nitrogen Tires Better?

The subject of N2 tires has become a battleground over the years. Nitrogen fans say that it prolongs tire life, increases gas mileage, and stabilizes pressure, while detractors say the difference is negligible and they aren’t worth the extra cost.

NHTSA found that nitrogen does indeed escape tires more slowly, largely due to the fact that nitrogen molecules are larger, and therefore don’t escape as easily. It also reduced pressure fluctuations from changing temperature or elevation, and nitrogen does not cause oxidation (read: rust) as quickly as O2. So, the general consensus is all other things being equal filling your tires with a higher nitrogen mixture can indeed prove better for your tires.

Many critics are quick to note that the difference isn’t necessarily as noticeable for many drivers, though. Squeezing out an extra mile per gallon or two may not be a priority for people who don’t drive much. Drastic temperature and elevation fluctuations may not apply to you, depending on where you live. And, of course, there’s the question of convenience and price. Refilling tires with nitrogen usually requires a visit to an automotive technician’s shop, and costs more money than filling up with regular air, which can be done at nearly any corner gas station or convenience store.

So, while there’s no cut-and-dry answer, it can absolutely be worth it to fill your tires with nitrogen—but the most important thing will always be to make sure you regularly monitor your tire pressure, regardless of what you’re filling them up with.

Any Other Questions?

Give us a call at (913) 324-7200 and ask for the service department to speak to one of our certified technicians about all your tire-related questions.

If you’re looking for a tire shop in Kansas City, our dealership is the place to go for Hyundai models.

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