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The top rated Goodyear Assurance TripleTred pictured above is an excellent all season tire for passenger vehicles offering good traction and long tread life.
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The above Michelin Primacy MXV4 tire is an all season tire that handles well even in light snows and rides quietly with long lasting treads and good handling.
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Hankook makes good quality, reliable tires that offer excellent value for the price. The Hankook Optimo H727 above is one of their more popular all season tires.
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Starting at around $93, the Continental ExtremeContact DWS tire pictured above is a bargain providing good traction and performance throughout the year.
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Tire Sizes Explained
If you have never had tire sizes explained to you or are wondering how to read a tire sidewall, you are in the right place. You have probably noticed the strange combination of letters and numbers on the side of your tires and you want to know what they mean. If you are looking to buy new tires, it will help you to understand them.
How to Read a Tire Sidewall
The markings on the sidewall of your tire indicate the tire size and convey additional information about the tire as well. The side of your tire will have a code comprised of letters and numbers on it that typically looks like this: P215/60R16 94H.
The letter at the beginning of the code is optional but it indicates the vehicle class or use for which the tire is intended. P indicates passenger car tire while LT is for light trucks. That spare tire tucked away in your trunk may be marked with a T for temporary usage.
The three digit number states the width of the tire in millimeters. It will be followed by a slash.
The second number is the aspect ratio, which is the relationship of the sidewall height to the width of the tire expressed as a percentage. So in our example, the height of the sidewall is 60% of the width. The width as we already know is 215 millimeters.
The letter following the aspect ratio refers to the construction of the tire. You will usually see an R here for radial. Other but much more rare possibilities include B for bias belt and D for diagonal.
The next number is the diameter of the wheel that the tire fits given in inches. In the case of our example, 16 means this tire will fit a 16 inch rim.
The last number and letter make up the service description of the tire. The 2 or 3 digit number is the load index, which corresponds with the load carrying ability of the tire. Our example tire has a load index of 94, which translates as a load capacity of 1,477 pounds. The letter signifies the speed rating of the tire and can range from A to Z. Speed ratings tell you the maximum speed a tire can handle. Our example tire with an H speed rating means the tire is rated for speeds up to 130 miles per hour. A good rule of thumb for buying new tires is to buy a tire with a speed rating equal to or greater than your existing tires.
The tire code on the sidewalls of your tires are designed to give consumers more information about tires, but most people just find them mysterious and confusing. Now that you have had tire sizes explained, you have a basis for comparing tires. You can now shop for new tires with a little bit more confidence and make sure you buy the proper size.