Tire Features to Consider
Your vehicle was designed to use a specific tire size in order to support the weight of the car, the passengers,
and cargo for its intended use. You should select replacement tires that are the same size and load carrying
capacity as your original tires.
Vehicle manufacturers do allow an optional tire size on some models for extra load carrying capacity or to
improve handling. Sources for optional sizes include your owners manual and tire manufacturers fitment guides.
Fender clearances, load carrying capacity, proper rim width diameter and offset, and overall tire diameter are
all considerations. The concept of changing a tire shape and its rim diameter by either 1, or 2 inches was
developed to allow a tire's shape to be changed but to maintain at least the same carrying capacity and
approximately the same overall diameter. The changes in the tire shape greatly affect the tires appearance,
and performance. It's easy to see that a shorter sidewall, wider tread tire on a wheel that is 2 inch larger in
diameter improves vehicle appearance. The performance changes that go along with this appearance change
include improved steering response (handling), better stopping, and a stiffer ride.
and cargo for its intended use. You should select replacement tires that are the same size and load carrying
capacity as your original tires.
Vehicle manufacturers do allow an optional tire size on some models for extra load carrying capacity or to
improve handling. Sources for optional sizes include your owners manual and tire manufacturers fitment guides.
Fender clearances, load carrying capacity, proper rim width diameter and offset, and overall tire diameter are
all considerations. The concept of changing a tire shape and its rim diameter by either 1, or 2 inches was
developed to allow a tire's shape to be changed but to maintain at least the same carrying capacity and
approximately the same overall diameter. The changes in the tire shape greatly affect the tires appearance,
and performance. It's easy to see that a shorter sidewall, wider tread tire on a wheel that is 2 inch larger in
diameter improves vehicle appearance. The performance changes that go along with this appearance change
include improved steering response (handling), better stopping, and a stiffer ride.
The load carrying capacity of your tire is determined by its size and load range. The size of the tire determines
the size of the air chamber and the load range sets the maximum cold inflation pressure allowed. These size and
pressure factors determine a tire's ability to carry a load for a given operation condition. Always maintain load
capacity.
Hint: A lot of pick-ups and Suburbans come with P235/75R15 EXTRA LOAD:
Don't make the common mistake of replacing them with P235/75R15 STANDARD LOAD tires.
the size of the air chamber and the load range sets the maximum cold inflation pressure allowed. These size and
pressure factors determine a tire's ability to carry a load for a given operation condition. Always maintain load
capacity.
Hint: A lot of pick-ups and Suburbans come with P235/75R15 EXTRA LOAD:
Don't make the common mistake of replacing them with P235/75R15 STANDARD LOAD tires.
Passenger tire tread designs are basically categorized by Highway (rib), all-season, and winter with each one
having progressively more traction, Light truck tires on the other hand have six basic tread types. They
include: all-season, all terrain, commercial highway, commercial traction, high performance, and mud traction.
The area of the country you live in and the kind of weather and terrain you drive in, loads carried, and driving
habits generally determine which tread type is best for you. Most car owners choose an all-season tread design.
Most individual pick-up owners usually purchase the all-season (more highway characteristics) or the all-terrain
(more off road traction) tread designs. For commercial vehicles, commercial highway and commercial traction
tread designs best meet tread life and even wear requirements for vehicles carrying heavy loads and/or in hard
use applications. Mud terrain treads are reserved for extreme condition and off the road enthusiasts. High
Performance LT tires are for the driver who wants their pick-up or SUV to handle more like a sports car and/or
wants the popular wide-tread, short-sidewall styling.
having progressively more traction, Light truck tires on the other hand have six basic tread types. They
include: all-season, all terrain, commercial highway, commercial traction, high performance, and mud traction.
The area of the country you live in and the kind of weather and terrain you drive in, loads carried, and driving
habits generally determine which tread type is best for you. Most car owners choose an all-season tread design.
Most individual pick-up owners usually purchase the all-season (more highway characteristics) or the all-terrain
(more off road traction) tread designs. For commercial vehicles, commercial highway and commercial traction
tread designs best meet tread life and even wear requirements for vehicles carrying heavy loads and/or in hard
use applications. Mud terrain treads are reserved for extreme condition and off the road enthusiasts. High
Performance LT tires are for the driver who wants their pick-up or SUV to handle more like a sports car and/or
wants the popular wide-tread, short-sidewall styling.
Speed rated tires used to be limited to tires for high performance vehicles. When the public started wanting the
better handling of the performance cars for the family car, speed rated tires became standard equipment for
most vehicles even family cars. The new standard for speed rating includes a load index that precedes the
speed rating as part of the size. Example: Size P235/75R15 104S. The load index is 104 preceding the speed
rating “S” and in most cases the load index equals a tires load carrying capacity at rated speed when inflated to
the maximum inflation. The most common speed ratings are S,T,H,V, and Z. This combination of load index and
speed rating are located near the size markings on the sidewall. The handling and stopping ability of tires
generally improve greatly as speed rating goes up. Because the main benefit of a higher speed ratings is that it
provides drivers improved handling and stopping. It is best to think of speed rating as a performance ratings.
While an SR has a maximum sustainable speed of 112 mph; it is better to think of SR as meaning standard
performance. Similarly, HR (130 mph max) should be thought of as high performance, VR (149 mph max.)
should be thought of as very high performance, and ZR as ultra high performance. The same or higher speed
rating should always be purchased to maintain the handling and stopping performance designed into your car for
safety. It must be noted that a higher speed rating will improving handling and stopping , but usually results in a
firmer ride and lower tire mileage.
better handling of the performance cars for the family car, speed rated tires became standard equipment for
most vehicles even family cars. The new standard for speed rating includes a load index that precedes the
speed rating as part of the size. Example: Size P235/75R15 104S. The load index is 104 preceding the speed
rating “S” and in most cases the load index equals a tires load carrying capacity at rated speed when inflated to
the maximum inflation. The most common speed ratings are S,T,H,V, and Z. This combination of load index and
speed rating are located near the size markings on the sidewall. The handling and stopping ability of tires
generally improve greatly as speed rating goes up. Because the main benefit of a higher speed ratings is that it
provides drivers improved handling and stopping. It is best to think of speed rating as a performance ratings.
While an SR has a maximum sustainable speed of 112 mph; it is better to think of SR as meaning standard
performance. Similarly, HR (130 mph max) should be thought of as high performance, VR (149 mph max.)
should be thought of as very high performance, and ZR as ultra high performance. The same or higher speed
rating should always be purchased to maintain the handling and stopping performance designed into your car for
safety. It must be noted that a higher speed rating will improving handling and stopping , but usually results in a
firmer ride and lower tire mileage.
Believe it or not, there are "fashion" trends in tire sidewall styling. The white sidewall stripe is traditional
style, but designers change the width from time to time. Black sidewalls, smooth, sculptured, raised and/or
serrated letters have become more and more popular for performance tires and for light truck tires black as
well as Raised White Letter , and Raised Outline White Letter are popular which styles are available
depends on the tire size, speed rating and the vehicles these tires where typically designed for. Style is
always a personal preference.
style, but designers change the width from time to time. Black sidewalls, smooth, sculptured, raised and/or
serrated letters have become more and more popular for performance tires and for light truck tires black as
well as Raised White Letter , and Raised Outline White Letter are popular which styles are available
depends on the tire size, speed rating and the vehicles these tires where typically designed for. Style is
always a personal preference.
There are many different brands to choose from. The major brands are household names because they are
highly advertised. But, just because a brand isn't well-known doesn't mean the tire isn't as good or even better
made. Differences between brands in many cases are smaller than the differences between tire lines within the
same brands. The better products of the same size and speed rating within a brand generally cost more initially
but cost less per mile and also have better stopping and handling performance. The ride comfort and road noise
generated by tires varies from line to line as well as brand to brand. If you prefer a certain brand don't assume
that brand name alone will give you what you want from a tire, you must choose the proper tire within that brand
that best meets your tire needs.
Compare the Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) information for each brand of tires you are considering.
The treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance grades listed can help you evaluate each tire. Make sure
you compare apples with apples, tires with similar features (i.e., all season treads, speed ratings, premium
construction, etc.). The treadwear grade can be used to estimate mileage. Take the a grade number of 300 and
multiply by 150 mile per grade point and you would get 45,000 miles. (Treadwear grade x 150 miles per grade
point = expected miles). This is the number of miles that can be reasonably expected from a tire when used in
non-commercial service with a good driver and good maintenance. The traction rates wet straight ahead
stopping traction on two different road surfaces. All tires must pass this test but “A” and “AA” rating means
that a tire has superior wet stopping ability. Temperature rating rates a tire's resistance to heat buildup and its
ability to dissipate any heat that does build up. Tires fail when they get too hot. The most common cause of
elevated tire operating temperatures are overloaded, low air pressure, and high speed driving. All tires must
pass the minimum standard "C" rating and for most users this is very adequate. Temperature ratings become
more important in commercially used tires, tires going flat, and high performance tires. Most high performance
HR and higher speed rating tires have a temperature rating of "A" or “AA”.
highly advertised. But, just because a brand isn't well-known doesn't mean the tire isn't as good or even better
made. Differences between brands in many cases are smaller than the differences between tire lines within the
same brands. The better products of the same size and speed rating within a brand generally cost more initially
but cost less per mile and also have better stopping and handling performance. The ride comfort and road noise
generated by tires varies from line to line as well as brand to brand. If you prefer a certain brand don't assume
that brand name alone will give you what you want from a tire, you must choose the proper tire within that brand
that best meets your tire needs.
Compare the Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) information for each brand of tires you are considering.
The treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance grades listed can help you evaluate each tire. Make sure
you compare apples with apples, tires with similar features (i.e., all season treads, speed ratings, premium
construction, etc.). The treadwear grade can be used to estimate mileage. Take the a grade number of 300 and
multiply by 150 mile per grade point and you would get 45,000 miles. (Treadwear grade x 150 miles per grade
point = expected miles). This is the number of miles that can be reasonably expected from a tire when used in
non-commercial service with a good driver and good maintenance. The traction rates wet straight ahead
stopping traction on two different road surfaces. All tires must pass this test but “A” and “AA” rating means
that a tire has superior wet stopping ability. Temperature rating rates a tire's resistance to heat buildup and its
ability to dissipate any heat that does build up. Tires fail when they get too hot. The most common cause of
elevated tire operating temperatures are overloaded, low air pressure, and high speed driving. All tires must
pass the minimum standard "C" rating and for most users this is very adequate. Temperature ratings become
more important in commercially used tires, tires going flat, and high performance tires. Most high performance
HR and higher speed rating tires have a temperature rating of "A" or “AA”.
Tread life is important to every driver. If you are going to keep your car for a long time or long enough that
you don't want to have bald tires when you trade or sell your car, a longer life tire makes sense. If you drive at
very high speed a tire that will stay together at these speeds and have maximum traction in cornering is more
important.
A quiet ride is also important to most drivers. But is a quieter ride more important than maximum traction or a
lower initial price? You must decide.
All drivers have that occasional need in driving to make an emergency stop to avoid an accident or a need for
good handling to avoid a pothole. Aggressive drivers, who like to take that corner on the traction edge and in
general push the performance level of their tires need tires that handle and stop better than other drivers.
Quality or how well does a tire compare in delivering the above benefits compared to other tires, and how
reliable does it do it. Brand name is not necessarily assurance of quality; check consumer publications and with
tire professionals.
Low cost can either be low initial cost or low cost per mile but in either case the tire you're purchasing should
at least meet the minimum that is acceptable to you for your other driving needs.
you don't want to have bald tires when you trade or sell your car, a longer life tire makes sense. If you drive at
very high speed a tire that will stay together at these speeds and have maximum traction in cornering is more
important.
A quiet ride is also important to most drivers. But is a quieter ride more important than maximum traction or a
lower initial price? You must decide.
All drivers have that occasional need in driving to make an emergency stop to avoid an accident or a need for
good handling to avoid a pothole. Aggressive drivers, who like to take that corner on the traction edge and in
general push the performance level of their tires need tires that handle and stop better than other drivers.
Quality or how well does a tire compare in delivering the above benefits compared to other tires, and how
reliable does it do it. Brand name is not necessarily assurance of quality; check consumer publications and with
tire professionals.
Low cost can either be low initial cost or low cost per mile but in either case the tire you're purchasing should
at least meet the minimum that is acceptable to you for your other driving needs.
There are many factors included in the price of a tire. Among them are the cost of the tire from the
manufacturer, how the tire meets your driving and expense needs, and the value of the services offered by the
retailer. In selecting where to buy your tires, consider whether you will get knowledgeable sales assistance,
complete information about the product and how it compares with other products, professional mounting and
balancing, and a written warranty.
manufacturer, how the tire meets your driving and expense needs, and the value of the services offered by the
retailer. In selecting where to buy your tires, consider whether you will get knowledgeable sales assistance,
complete information about the product and how it compares with other products, professional mounting and
balancing, and a written warranty.
Before you go shopping think about your tire needs. Buying by brand or price alone can turn out to be an
expensive or potentially dangerous mistake if you select the wrong tire for your vehicle. As you shop around
compare the level of expertise you receive where you shop. The following chart should help.
expensive or potentially dangerous mistake if you select the wrong tire for your vehicle. As you shop around
compare the level of expertise you receive where you shop. The following chart should help.
If you use a truck or use your vehicle off the road or in other severe driving conditions you may wish to rate
mud and snow traction, ice traction and stopping.
Our recommendation, buy from a tire specialist who has the reputation of having excellent products, excellent
service and good prices. In today's market place pricing is very close from many vendors. Compare price but
also compare the tire vendor's ability to help you define your tire needs and get the right tire.
mud and snow traction, ice traction and stopping.
Our recommendation, buy from a tire specialist who has the reputation of having excellent products, excellent
service and good prices. In today's market place pricing is very close from many vendors. Compare price but
also compare the tire vendor's ability to help you define your tire needs and get the right tire.
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P.S.: Martin Tires Company guarantees the low price in the communities we have locations in not including closeouts,
discontinued merchandise, and special purchases.
discontinued merchandise, and special purchases.
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