Wonder what LT means on a tire and whether you should opt for one? Well, you are not alone – many SUV and truck owners want to jump onto the LT bandwagon, thinking that these tires will somehow magically improve their ride.
The truth is that LT tires have some clear advantages, but they also compromise on other ends. With that said, let’s decode the LT in truck and SUV tires and see whether it is more than just a label!
The age-old tire-related question among automotive enthusiasts – Should you go wider? It is a decision that many drivers face at least once in their lifetime and one that never has a good answer. Does size really matter? I think it is always up to satisfying your needs (pun intended), even when it comes to your vehicle’s tires.
But let’s have a closer look at 225 vs. 245 tires, which are some of the most popular dimensions, width-wise. In this ‘Tire Tug of War’ article, I will give you all the reasons for and against opting for wider 245 tires if your car has 225 tires from the factory. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the world of tires and instill some ‘width’ wisdom into you.
Choosing the right tire for your vehicle can be a daunting task, given the myriad of specifications, ratings, and nomenclature to understand.
You might have thought you had a grip on tire sizes, but then a curveball came your way: the ZR marking. And just when you thought you were onto something, you realized many tires of seemingly identical size bore the simple ‘R’ lettering. It’s a puzzle, isn’t it? What’s the distinction between ZR vs. R tires? Why do some tires have the ZR prefix while others of similar dimensions don’t?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve deep into the world of ZR tires. We’ll demystify why they bear this distinctive nomenclature, weigh their pros and cons, and help you determine whether a ZR tire aligns with your automotive needs.
So, strap in and gear up as we navigate the twists and turns of ZR in tire terminology, ensuring you make an informed decision for your next tire purchase!
Tires are perhaps the most important parts of a car when it comes to safety. Even the safest car would be unsafe with bad or worn-out tires. Not to mention that a puncture can destabilize your vehicle and potentially lead to an accident, despite all those advanced safety systems onboard.
So, despite all advances in technology, tires are vulnerable. Fortunately, tire repair has also come a long way, and we can today safely repair most punctures. Enter patching, the safest (though not most convenient) way to seal any tire puncture.
But what is patching, really? And how much does it cost to patch a tire? That is exactly what I will talk about in this article, where I will dive deep into the real cost of patching a tire. So, without further ado, let’s break down the bucks!
Have you thought about how much tires weigh? Is the model you chose lighter or heavier? And will it make a difference? Unfortunately, tire weight is often overlooked by vehicle owners, though cyclists, for example, put a lot of thought into it when purchasing new tires.
And tire weight is very important, make no mistake about that. Sure, it is more important on bicycles, where the difference in weight can be really felt on inclines, but tire weight can also affect multiple facets of a car’s driving dynamics, from braking and acceleration to ride comfort and fuel consumption.
The problem is tiremakers don’t provide the weight of new tires. They might mention that lightweight materials were used in the construction, but buyers won’t get the exact weight for every size. Their thinking is perhaps that buyers don’t care, but in my mind, it is their job to make buyers care about this important metric.
For that reason, let’s delve deeper into the manufacturing processes, materials, and design intricacies that come together to form the tire’s weight.
From keeping our cars in contact with the road to enhancing comfort, tires are some of the most important innovations in the transportation industry. Still, they are subjected to perhaps the biggest wear and tear of any vehicle part and, as such, won’t always work as expected.
One common behavior of tires is squealing when turning, which can happen due to a variety of reasons. In fact, I can give you dozens of factors that impact squealing! Each one of them affects the tires and, crucially, safety while driving in a different way.
For that reason, I will delve deep into tire squealing in this article, as that is the only way you can get a clearer picture of why it happens to you. From the inevitable squeal due to driving fast to problems with the suspension, here is how to diagnose the cornering screeches and turn with once again turn with confidence!
What is the difference between 10-ply and 12-ply tires? Should you just go with the cheaper option (10-ply) or splurge the cash and never worry when carrying/towing heavy items with your truck? The answer is much more nuanced than that, of course, as the load-carrying capacity of the tire changes how it behaves on the road.
Besides, the ply ratings are not used by manufacturers today, at least when it comes to road-going vehicles. Instead, they are replaced by load ratings with a letter next to them, which further confuses buyers.
Fortunately, you arrived at the right place to learn everything there is to know about 10-ply vs. 12-ply tires. In this article, we will unravel the mystery of ply ratings, see why they matter, and how you can find the perfect load rating for your particular driving scenario. This is your ultimate guide to choosing between 10-ply and 12-ply tires!
So, your tires are worn-down and looking almost bald, and the time has come to change them with a new set? Luckily, there is a plethora of options available on the market, from premium tires that cost a fortune to super-cheap tires that cost less than a dinner at a good restaurant. But whichever tire you choose, you won’t get it with a rim. Well, in most cases.
But why is that the case? Why don’t retailers sell tires together with rims, so we can easily install them on our cars? Well, there are some obvious reasons, like the added cost and the fact that it is not necessary to replace the rims as frequently. Still, some retailers do offer tire+wheel combos, so why is that the case?
That is exactly what I will try to explain in this article, where I will try to unravel the mystery of why new tires don’t (or do) come with rims. So, without further ado, let’s dig into the matter!
New cars that just exited the dealership don’t make any noise (well, most of the time). This is because each part is carefully dimensioned with tight tolerances, so everything works smoothly together. However, as the vehicle ages, it starts to produce more noises, some of which can indicate a serious issue with its various parts.
For instance, people report a common noise when accelerating at a low speed. The problem is that this noise is often not the same – some report clicking noises, and others report squealing sounds. So, what is that all about? Well, there is a reason why we hear most car noises when accelerating and not when we travel in a straight line. And it’s not just the noises themselves – it is the fact that cars are quieter when traveling at lower speeds.
But there is no simple answer to the “car makes noise when accelerating at low speed” issue since each sound has its own significance. So, let’s have a closer look at the matter and see how we can quiet down your car and decode all noises!
Are you looking for a new set of tires for your SUV or truck, and those larger dimensions are itching you? Maybe because a friend of yours told you that going wider will solve all your problems? Well, let me scratch that itch because you might just be better suited by your existing 275-wide tires.
Look, tire sizes are not designed to be better or worse. Like, a 175/70R13 tire is no worse than a 225/40R18 tire. They both have their place in the automotive landscape because they fit different vehicles, driving styles, and driving conditions.
It is the same when you compare 275 vs. 285 tires – you can’t pick a winner in general terms. What you can do, though, is pick the right tire dimension for you. One that will fit your vehicle without disturbing its driving balance (handling x comfort x fuel economy) and also won’t burn a hole in your pocket.
But let’s dive into the impact of 275 and 285 tires on your drive and pick the best size for you!