Everything You Should Know About Tires

Tires are an important part of your vehicle. There are certain things to be aware of when looking for the right kind of tires for your vehicle. Car owners generally focus on performance, costs,  reliability, and longevity when choosing tires for their vehicles.

For passenger cars:

The best tires for passenger cars should have a good grip rounding corners, which helps transmit greater braking force onto the road. Another important aspect about tires for passenger vehicles is that they should provide a comfortable ride. 

Tires for your SUV or CUV:

However, Sports utility vehicles (SUV) and Crossover utility vehicles (CUV) are a different breed. They are not as delicate as passenger vehicles and are meant for weathering rougher terrain. Thus, tires for these vehicles need to have good road-hugging properties.   H/T tires are most suited for these vehicles, and they should be supple enough to take on all road conditions.

For light trucks:

For these vehicles, it is important to get tires that are made for the working vehicle. For light trucks, you need tires that are not only designed to carry the weight of the light truck but are long-wearing and have excellent grip in all kinds of weather. They should be able to handle all road conditions.

Things You Didn't Know about Tires

1. The correct tire width is affected by the sorts of characteristics the owner is looking for in their car and its handling. The tire width will affect their price and several other characteristics, such as grip, noise level, driving comfort, and appearance.

2. Replacing narrow tires with wider ones will usually increase rolling resistance and, therefore, slightly increase fuel consumption. In summer, tire size is also a question of aesthetics; drivers tend to prefer the look of a wide tire compared to a narrow one.

3. Wide tires increase cornering grip. Wide tires are used to maximize traction in all directions. This allows for an even pressure distribution throughout the contact patch.

4. Upon losing adequate tire pressure due to a puncture, Run-flat tires cannot be driven faster than 50 miles per hour and typically offer up to 50 miles of extended mobility. Selected applications, based on vehicle and the run-flat tire design, can range from just 25 miles up to 200 miles. Consult your vehicle owner's manual to determine what you should expect.

The 3 musts for Tire Maintenance

All in all, proper maintenance and care of your tires is a must when it comes to keeping your vehicle in good shape. So, take the time, at least every month or before going on a long trip, to get your tires checked.

There are three important things that must be kept in mind when thinking about proper tire maintenance:

1. Pressure: Under inflation causes tire stress, irregular wear, and loss of control, which could lead to accidents. Even after losing half of its inflation pressure, the tire will not appear to be flat. Which is why it’s always a good idea to check the pressure or the PSI of your tires.

2. Alignment: When you hit a curb or pothole, your alignment may shift, and this can damage your tires. Thus, it is important to check the alignment regularly at Mavis to make sure your vehicle is properly aligned.

3. Tread: Advanced wear can reduce the ability of the tread to grip the road in adverse conditions. So, check for signs of damage or uneven wear on your tires.

When there are any issues with the condition of your tires, the tire experts at your local Mavis Tires and Brakes know exactly how to help.