Tires Ratings all Terrain Michelin Tread Safety Rating

From 3arf

Choosing Tires:

Gaining Knowledge and Making a Decision

When the time comes to purchase new tires, the careful consumer will arm himself with information in preparation for a visit to the tire shop. Some of the things he will want to be aware of are safety, handling, speed, and tread wear ratings. The purchaser must also understand that there are varied choices for different applications; for instance, he may choose all weather tires, snow tires, or mud tires. Another factor to consider will be road noise. Finally, the consumer will decide on the price he is willing to pay, based on the information at his disposal.

The issue of greatest importance to most consumers is safety. When purchasing new tires, the buyer must be certain that he is purchasing the right size for the vehicle. He must also be aware of the speed rating and load index recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. The speed rating of the tires should meet or exceed the top speed of the vehicle on which the tires will be installed. The load index rates the load-bearing capabilities of the tire; one should never purchase tires with a load index lower than the tires originally installed on the vehicle.

Once the prospective tire purchaser has ensured that he is considering the proper size of tire, with the correct speed and load ratings, he thinks about the weather conditions under which the tires will be used. Tires to be used in the winter are specially-designed for good traction on snow and ice, but they do not last as long as all-season tires. Also, they do not handle as well on dry surfaces. According to Consumer Reports, “All-season tires account for 90 percent of what people buy as replacements” (60). With this in mind, the consumer makes the decision that this type of tire will meet his needs.

Now that the critical matter of safety is out of the way, he moves on to the issue of road noise. Noise may seem irrelevant to his decision. However, Max Glaskin states that, according to the World Health Organization, tire noise “accounts for more than half the noise that vehicles create… [and] exposure to noise from road traffic over long periods can lead to stress-related health problems” (26). Understanding this, the buyer wishes to purchase tires which produce as little road noise as possible.

Having decided on the criteria for his tire purchase, this now-educated consumer turns to Consumer Reports for tire-buying advice. In October of 2009, Consumer Reports tested 69 tire models; Michelin tires were rated as the best in all-season, performance all-season, and winter categories. Impressed with these findings, the consumer reads that “CR's tire engineers rated models based on a variety of categories including dry and wet braking, handling, hydroplaning resistance, snow traction, ice braking, ride comfort, noise, rolling resistance, and tread life.” (Science Letter, 2009)

This consumer decides that he will purchase tires manufactured by Michelin, based on their excellent ratings. He must now determine which model he desires. He notes, from the information given, that the Michelin Hydroedge rated highest among all S- and T- rated tires. (These letter designations refer to speed ratings; the S-rated tire is approved for up to 112 mph, and the T-rated tire may go up to 118 mph.) As the consumer’s speed specifications are well within this range, this aspect of the tire in question fits his needs.

Given the fact that these tires are rated for use on his light-duty truck, he realizes that they meet his criteria for load index, as well.

The consumer scrolls down the Consumer Reports page to access more

information on the tire in question. A table is provided, rating several aspects of the tire’s quality on a scale of 1 to 5. Consumer reports tests and rates using the following criteria:

Dry braking from 60 mph and wet braking from 40 mph. Handling includes how well the tires performed in an avoidance maneuver. ... Hydroplaning reflects how quickly we could drive through standing water before the tires… skim the surface. Snow traction reflects the distance… needed to accelerate from 5 to 20 mph on moderately packed snow. We tested ice braking on a skating rink from 10 mph. Ride comfort and noise reflect our on-road judgments. Rolling resistance… is a factor in fuel economy. Tread life is an indicator of wear potential. (Consumer Report, 2009)

The buyer then accesses the following information: ( table 1).

MICHELIN       HANKOOK OPTIMO   PIRELLI P4 FOUR

HYDROEDGE        H727            SEASONS

Recommendation           -X-              -X-

Rank (A)                 1                2                3

Tread pattern            D

Price we paid ($)       116              96               98

Overall score           84               82               80

THREE-SEASON

DRIVING

Dry braking              4                4                4

Wet braking              5                4                5

Handling                 4                3                3

Hydroplaning             4                4                4

WINTER DRIVING

Snow traction            2                4                2

Ice braking              3                4                4

COMFORT

Ride comfort             3                4                4

Noise                    3                4                4

OTHER

Rolling

resistance              3                3                2

Tread life               5                3                2

Table 1 Brand & Model In Performance Order, Within Types (Consumer Reports 2009)

The buyer notes that two other tire models are given for the purpose of comparison. The Michelin Hydroedge received an overall score of 84. Although it scored somewhat lower that the competition in the areas of noise, ice braking, and snow traction, these slight deficiencies were offset by superior wet braking, handling, and tread life. Considering the driving conditions he will most likely encounter, the consumer reflects that these are the aspects of greatest importance to him in the long run. The cost of $116.00 per tire is acceptable; thus, he arrives at the decision to purchase this model of tire.

Through a process of education, critical thinking, research, and decision-making, he has made a choice which will help to ensure his safety and will bring him peace of mind.

Works Cited

Reports. Yonkers:1996. Vol. 61. 60

Consumer Reports. Yonkers: Nov 2009 Vol. 74. 46

Glaskin, Max. “Hush Hour on the Highway.” New Scientist 181 (2004)

Science Letter. Atlanta: Oct 2009. 2965

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