When you reach out for tire services to replace your vehicle’s tires, there are many factors to consider. One of the most important is ensuring you have the correct tire size for your car. While this may seem simple, there are many things to consider when choosing a new tire size. See what they are here by checking out this handy tire size guide!
What to Consider for Tire Sizes
The main reason why it is so essential to get the right tire size is safety. The wrong size can lead to problems with handling and braking, which can cause an accident. It also affects fuel economy because larger tires can affect how much air passes through them and how much energy is needed to keep them inflated.
The size of the tire depends on a few factors:
- The tire’s width: This is measured in millimetres (mm) and determines how far apart the treads are from each other. The wider the tire, the more stable it is at high speeds or on rough terrain. The narrower it is, however, the less likely it will bounce or slide around when turning corners.
- The sidewall’s height is measured in inches (in) and determines how tall your tires will be if they were laid flat on their sides. Higher sidewalls provide better protection against damage from curbs and potholes, while lower sidewalls can help improve fuel efficiency by lowering rolling resistance.
- The diameter (or circumference): The wheel rim and its tire combination determine how much air is held in that space before it expands outwards into a flat shape at higher speeds or when driving off-road.
To help you find the right tire size for your vehicle and avoid these issues, we’ve put together tips on determining what size tires fit your car.
Check Your Vehicle’s Manual
The first step in finding the correct tire size for your vehicle is checking its manual. If you don’t have access to this information, contact your dealer or local mechanic, who should be able to provide it for free if needed. The manual will usually tell you exactly what size tires are required for your specific model of car or truck, as well as other important information such as recommended pressures and even maximum speeds at which they’re driven.
Measure Your Current Tires
If you can’t locate the information in your owner’s manual or service records, measure your current tires and compare those measurements against the numbers listed on the sidewall of your replacement tire’s packaging. The center bar should be approximately 1 inch wide from end to end when standing upright (see image). The width between tread grooves should be about 0.6 inches wide.
Get Help from Tire Services
If you’re unsure what size tires fit your vehicle, call local tire services and ask if they’ll help you determine the proper size. You may need to bring your car or truck in for them to look at it, but this can save time and effort when figuring out what size tires fit your vehicle exactly.
Consider Unsprung Weight
Unsprung weight is the weight that sits between the wheels and the ground. That includes brake drums, brake rotors and callipers, suspension components (such as springs, shocks, and struts), wheels and tires, bumpers, fenders, and other miscellaneous pieces.
While you may have heard that bigger rims can lead to better performance, that’s only true if they’re matched with proper tires. The larger the rim, the more weight it will add to your vehicle’s suspension system.
That affects handling and braking performance because heavier tires stress chassis components like bushings and ball joints. The heavier your car is, the more important this becomes – so upgrading to larger wheels should be done with caution.
Keep Original Size
If possible, stick with the exact size tire that originally came with your vehicle; this is especially important if you’re looking for new tires for off-roading needs or off-pavement severe driving conditions such as mud or snow. Switching up sizes may result in inadequate ground clearance or poor handling capabilities when travelling over uneven terrain or deep puddles of water.
There are many things you need to consider when it comes to tires. Not only do you need to know what size tire you need, but you also need to ensure they are the correct type of tire for your vehicle. It’s not enough to know what size tire your vehicle needs – you also have to make sure that the tire is compatible with its wheel and that the wheel can support the weight of the vehicle and its passengers. Hopefully, this information has given you much-needed insight into determining your car’s tire size.
Be the first to comment on "Your Guide to Tire Sizes"