The Guide To Everything You Need To Know About Your Car’s Tires

Most people do not think about their car’s tires that often. However, unless it has working tires, your vehicle will not run. The good news is that tires are one of the easiest car parts to maintain. You can care for your car’s tires if you know when to rotate and change them and how to look for damage. 

This article will tell you everything you need about your car’s tires. If you have any questions after reading, contact Ethan’s Honest Automotive. We are Cache Valley’s source for excellent tire services, including tire rotation. 

What Are the Parts of a Tire? 

Before discussing tire maintenance, we need to talk about the parts of a tire. Tires are not complicated, but they have more parts to them than you might expect. These parts include the following. 

• Bead: Modern tires have a rigid core reinforced with a steel cable called the bead. The bead allowed the tire to create an air-tight seal against the wheel. 
• Internal construction: Modern tires are not just made of rubber. In addition to the steel cable-reinforced bead, the internal construction of most tires uses braided steel belts. These belts sit below the tread to provide structural strength and resistance. Nylon plies are below the steel belts on the inner side of the tire. This construction ensures a strong tire that is hard to puncture. 
• Sidewall: The sidewall is the part of the tire between the tread and the wheel rim. The number and letters on a car tire are always on the sidewall. 
• Tread: The tread is the part of the tire that touches and grips the road. The depth of your tire’s tread is a great indicator of its wear. 
• Wear indicators: Modern tires often have raised rubber lines between and perpendicular to the tread. You must replace your tire when the tread is worn down to these lines. 

Different Types of Car Tires

Most all tires are the same. Some manufacturers build tires for a specific purpose. Others make more general tires. Understanding the different types of tires and when you need them is essential for getting the most out of your car. 

Here are some of the most common types of car tires. 

• All-season: All-season tires are safe to use in most seasons in most of the United States. Manufacturers engineer these tires for wet, cold, and hot conditions. 
• Snow: Manufacturers design snow, or winter, tires to be used in the winter. These tires have a greater grip and tread to ensure your car drives safely during freezing temperatures and through snow, sleet, or ice. 
• Summer performance: Manufacturers design summer tires for hot and wet weather. They have great grip, corners, acceleration, and braking ability, which is where they get the performance part of their name. 
• Racing/off-road: You will likely not need racing or off-road tires unless you have a specialty vehicle. Manufacturers specifically design these tires for use at the race track on off-road vehicles. 

What are the Numbers of the Tires’ Sidewalls? 

Suppose you have looked at your tire recently. In that case, you have likely noticed a combination of letters and numbers on the sideway. These letters and numbers all tell you valuable information about the size of your tires. You need this information when you purchase new tires. 

Let’s look at each of the letters and numbers in more detail. You will find the following information on your tire when reading the code from left to right. 

• Tire type: Most car tires will begin with a P. The P stands for PMetric, and manufacturers put it on passenger tires. You may also find LT, which identifies a light truck tire. 
• Tire width: The number following the P will tell you the tire width. This number is found by measuring from sidewall to sidewall. The wheel’s rim will determine the tire width you need and is measured in millimeters. 
• Aspect ratio: This ratio compares the tire’s section height to the section width. 
• Construction type: The next letter tells you what construction the manufacturer used. You could find an R (radial construction), B (belted bias), or D (diagonal bias). 
• Wheel diameter: The final number is the diameter of the wheel rim measured in inches. 

How Often To Rotate Your Tires?

Tire rotation is essential for extending the life of your car’s tires. Regularly rotating your tires will ensure they wear evenly, which provides a smoother ride and longer lifespan. Most experts follow this tire rotation pattern. 

• Front to back
• Left to right

You will need to rotate your tires every 5,000 – 7,500 miles. Check your owner’s manual for the tire rotation schedule your manufacturer recommends. 

You can perform this maintenance yourself. However, to ensure it is done right and that your tires remain healthy, you should contact a professional mechanic, such as those at Ethan’s Honest Automotive. 

When To Replace Your Tires? 

Every brand and type of tire is different, so it is hard to say how long your tires will last. However, there are some general rules of thumb for when you need to replace your tires. Most importantly, you must replace your tires when the tread has worn below the wear indicators. 

Also, you should bring your car to a mechanic to have them check your tires if the tires are over six years old. A mechanic can tell you if your tires need to be replaced or if they have some life left in them. 

Why Choose Ethan’s For Your Car’s Tire Maintenance?

If you live in Cache Valley, UT, or southeastern Idaho, you should contact Ethan’s Honest Automotive for all your tire maintenance needs. We provide excellent tire rotation, changing, and inspection services. Our professionals have the certification and expertise to work on any foreign or domestic car. 

At Ethan’s Honest Automotive, we provide ourselves with our integrity. You will never be quoted for a service your car does not need. That includes recommending new tires when your current tires are fine. Contact Ethan’s Honest Automotive today to learn how we can help you keep your car in peak condition.