Buying SUV tires: how do you use your sport-utility vehicle?
Sport-utility
vehicles are unique because they’re built to excel in all kinds of
driving conditions. They’re good for commuting to and from work or for
driving into the mountains for a weekend camping trip. Finding tires
for SUVs can be a bit of a challenge because of their many possible
uses.
When
shopping for SUV tires, you should carefully consider how often you
drive under the different types of conditions. Obviously conditions
will vary depending on the area in which you live and commute, so keep
in mind the differing conditions year round, not just during inclement
weather.
If you are new to the area,
contact your stats Department of Transportation or Highway Patrol.
They'll let you know what type of tire would be best for your vehicle
and your commuting needs.
Tire-shopping tips
Whether
you’re buying tires for your Toyota Prius or your Ford F-350, follow
these suggestions to get the most rubber for your buck:
Check the Uniform Tire Quality Grading:
All tires are rated by the Uniform Tire Quality Grading system. A
tire’s rating is based on its performance on a government testing
track. Ideally, a tire graded as 200 would take twice as long to wear
than a tire rated as 100. This system won’t tell you exactly how long a
tire will last – that depends more on your driving habits and road
conditions where you live – but the UTQG system will give you an idea
of which tires last longest.
Know the tire’s speed rating:
All tires are given a letter grade to indicate the top speeds they can
safely handle. Performance tires usually carry at least a “V” rating.
However, most people never drive faster than 112 mph, which is the
lowest-possible “S” rating. Tires with higher speed ratings are
generally more expensive. Don’t hesitate to look at tires with lower
speed ratings to save some money on your purchase.
- S = 112 mph, 180 km/h
- T = 118 mph, 190 km/h
- U = 124 mph, 200 km/h
- H = 130 mph, 210 km/h
- V = 149 mph, 240 km/h
- W = 168 mph, 270 km/h
- Y = 186 mph, 300 km/h
Summer Tip: Keep Your Tires Inflated
Summer has arrived, which means you may hear people talking about why you should let air out of your tires during the warm weather season.
Take our advice: ignore them.
The contention that summer weather increases air pressure in your tires and causes blowouts is just a bunch of hot air. Sure, warm temperatures do cause air pressure numbers to increase slightly, but the difference is incredibly small. The increase is definitely far too small to contribute to a tire blowout.
Also, releasing too much air from your tires could cause you to damage your rubbers if, when the weather cools, your tire pressure is suddenly too low. Your best bet is to maintain normal tire pressures as you would at any other time of the year. The best way to maximize superior handling and safety in consistently warm weather is to invest in a set of performance tires. Most likely, the tires you have are good enough for warm, dry conditions.
Tire Pressure
The one area where things are a bit finicky is the tires. The design of tires
has come a long way, but we still cannot change the basic fact that tires are
filled with a gas. Gas reacts to any number of elements, but is particularly
sensitive to temperatures. When temperatures go up, gas expands. When it goes
down, gas contracts. This can have a major impact on both the performance of
your tires and how long they last. You should ideally check the pressure in your tires every month, just to make sure they are staying firm and taut. You must be especially diligent if you live in an area that has constantly changing weather.
