Shopping for Auto Parts -- Buying Tires Tires

Choosing the right tire can be a real chore if you don’t understand all the jargon and number/letter combinations involved. Many people don’t understand because it just seems like a lot of unnecessary trouble for them—but if you look at each aspect of the tire and what it means, the numbers make much more sense. This could help you look at a tire number and understand almost all of what you need to know about it.

Buying Auto Parts -- How to Choose the Right Tire

The thing you need to know most about is the number associated with a tire, as well as the type of tread you want. That’s it. The number looks like a serial number for a space ship, with it’s numbers and letters seemingly pulled out of nowhere. But the numbers mean something—they aren’t just stock numbers designed to hoodwink a tire buyer.

Width of Your Tire

The width of your tire is given in millimeters, and this means the higher your number, the wider the tire will be. Wider tires look cool, and some automobiles require a certain width, but remember that narrower tires provide better grip on pavements. Check with the manufacturer of your car for the recommended width.

Speed Rating

This is a letter in the collection of numbers and letters that tell you what kind of tire you have. The speed rating tells you the maximum speed your tire is safe to run at. Although you may never feel any difference between the various ratings, your safety is changed. You will also save money on certain tires—lower speed rated tires often last longer.

Here are the speed designations and their ratings.

Q is for 99 mph top speed
S is for 112 mph
T is for 118 mph
U is for 124 mph
H is for 130 mph
V is for 149 mph
Z is for speeds over 149 mph
W is for 168 mph
Y is for 186 mph

Although you probably don’t need tires rated higher than Q, your auto manufacturer may recommend a higher rated tire for your particular car. Always check the manufacturer’s choice of tire, and buy them from a reliable dealer. Also make sure you choose the right tread for your environment and driving. Tires that work well on mud may not work as well on ice or dry pavement.