A tire's most important job is to carry the load required of it, and the load range/ply rating branded on the tire's sidewall indicates how much load the tire is designed to carry (at a specific pressure). Whenever changing tire sizes or from one tire type to another, it's important to ensure...
Why do we change our tires and wheels? Aside from necessity, most of us do it for performance, comfort and style. But to be sure our tires are performing properly and that we're rolling comfortably and in style, we'll need to correctly install our new tires and wheels. Here's a few tips from us...
Proper wheel installation requires the wheel-attaching hardware (lug nuts or bolts) be tightened to the recommended torque specification for the vehicle make, model and year. Torque specifications are usually found in the vehicle's owner's manual.* Proper torque requires using the correct...
Sidewall Indentations / UndulationsFig. A: Vertical indentation on sidewall from rim to tread. A common byproduct of radial tire construction, sidewall indentations/undulations are more noticeable in tires with taller sidewalls or operate at higher inflation pressures. Fortunately sidewall...
For handling-oriented track & competition fitments, Tire Rack recommends mounting tires on the widest rim width approved by the tire manufacturer (and permitted by competition class rules). However, we also recognize that rules for stock, spec, or other autocross/racing classes often restrict...
The offset of a wheel is the distance from its hub mounting surface to the centerline of the wheel. The offset can be one of three types (measured in millimeters).* "The offset of a wheel is the distance from its hub mounting surface to the centerline of the wheel." Zero Offset The hub...
How do M+S (Mud and Snow) branded tires, All-Season tires, and three-peak mountain snowflakeAll-Season tires, and three-peak mountain snowflake branded tires differ in the snow? One word; Traction! And while you may not know which tire offers the best traction in winter weather, it'll only take...
Maximum Inflation PressureA tire's maximum inflation pressure is the highest "cold" inflation pressure that the tire is designed to contain. However the tire's maximum inflation pressure should only be used when called for on the vehicle's tire placard or in the vehicle's owners manual. It is...
Run-flat tires offer drivers temporary extended mobility even after a puncture allows complete air pressure loss. However, even run-flat tires will fail if driven too fast, too far or too heavily loaded when flat. For this reason, run-flat tires may only be used on vehicles equipped with a Tire...
Most run-flat tires make a promise of temporary extended mobility at up to 50 miles per hour speeds for up to 50-mile distances in the event a puncture allows complete air pressure loss. However, even if driven within their speed and distance limitations, driving on run-flat tires with low or...
Maximum LoadA tire's maximum load is the most weight the tire is designed to carry. Since a tire's load carrying capacity is related to the tire's size and construction and how much inflation pressure is actually used, maximum loads are rated with the tire inflated to an industry assigned...
Federal law requires tire manufacturers to provide standardized information permanently branded on the sidewalls of all tires sold in the United States. This includes information about the tire's basic characteristics, capacities and construction, as well as its U.S. Department of...
The answer could be yes, no, or yes and no! It all depends on your vehicle's tire type, setup, and whether you are replacing just two or all four tires. Are your tires directional, or non-directional? Are they mounted in a "square" setup, i.e., all four tires are the same size? Or "staggered,"...
If you ever visit an auto museum, you'll see most antique cars were equipped with two or more spare tires. Fortunately today's roads and improved tire durability have reduced that necessity, allowing our vehicles to be equipped with a single spare or none at all! While some of today's vehicles...
The ability of a four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles to divide the engine's horsepower between its four tires is especially useful on loose or slippery surfaces such as sand and dirt, as well as on wet, icy or snow-covered roads. However it's important to remember that in order to...
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