ALT-2 Tire Knowledge for Women
Despite prevailing stereotypes, tire knowledge is just as important for women as it is for men, if not more so. Unfortunately, many disreputable tire dealers will try to sell women things they don't need because of a perceived lack of tire knowledge. The idea is that if you don't know what you're looking for, then a tire dealer can sell you anything. Fortunately, a few basic concepts are all you really need to know to prevent this from happening.
First, you should know how tire sizing works and what size tires your car has. If you take a look at thesidewall of your tires, you'll see the size listed in a format similar to this: 225/60R16 95H. The 225 refers to the width of the tire in millimeters. The 60 is the aspect ratio, or the height of the tire from the top of the rim to the top of the tread. In this case the tire is 60% as tall as it is wide. The 16 refers to the rim diameter. The 95H is the load index and the speed rating. Always replace tires with ones with the car manufacturer's recommended speed rating.
If you're ever wondering what size tires your car came with originally, they are listed inside the driver's side door on a placard. It's usually best to stick with the size tire listed here, to maintain your vehicle's handling and ride.
It's also important to understand the roletire air pressureplays in tire maintenance. On the same placard inside the driver's side door where the original tire size is listed, the manufacturer's recommended air pressure for the front and rear tires is shown. You should keep your tires inflated close to this pressure all the time. This will give your vehicle the best combination of ride quality, fuel mileage, and tire life. Additionally, you should check your tire pressure at least once a month, preferably when the tire has been sitting for a while and has cooled down.
The tires on your vehicle should be rotated every 5000-6000 miles. This involves taking the tires from the front of the vehicle and placing them on the rear. This helps keep the tire from wearing prematurely or developing flat spots, which can affect ride quality. It's also a good time to check the air pressure and make sure the vehicle is not in need of afront end alignment.
Tire repair is another concern. No matter how carefully you drive, eventually you'll run over something a get aflat tire. Many tire dealers will tell you to replace your tire any time it goes flat, but often a simple plug or a patch will suffice. If a tire is damaged anywhere besides the tread, it will most likely have to be replaced. The sidewalls of a tire flex too much during use to withstand any repairs. If the tire has a small hole in the tread, it can most likely be plugged, but if it has suffered a cut or larger puncture, an internal patch may be necessary.
While dealing with tire dealers and tire maintenance may seem like a daunting task, a small amount of knowledge and a little research can help you ensure you get the best deal on new tires or maximize the life of the ones you already have.
