Learn & How To

When cars first populated public roads, they had comically narrow tires, similar to the ones we have on bicycles today. That is because tires were adapted to work on existing wheel profiles from horse carriages, but also because tire technology wasn’t as advanced. In other words, it wasn’t possible to make a structurally sound wide tire.

Today, though, that is not the case. In fact, you can put some exorbitantly large tires on your vehicle and make it look like a roller from behind. A popular width for modern tires is 305, which is close to “roller” territory and available for owners of large SUVs and trucks, but also modern supercars and muscle cars.

But what is a 305 tire size? What does it bring to the table, and what are the implications of putting such tires on your vehicle? These are some of the questions I will be answering in this in-depth article, where we will dive deep and unlock the mystery of the 305 tire size.

So, without further ado, let’s decipher the 305 tire size!

Here, I’ll dive deep into everything you need to change tires, but not just one – all four of them. With labor prices on the rise, many people decide to take change tires at home. It is, fortunately, a simple process once you learn how to do it, but still, one that involves many crucial steps to be done correctly and safely.

But how long does it take to change tires? It is a question people often ask me because, let’s face it, nobody would want to spend hours of their free time on anything today, especially considering the tight schedules we all have.

To answer that question, I prepared an in-depth article, where I will tell you everything there is to know about changing tires and also give you my estimates on how long it should take. Please note that the duration depends greatly on the mechanic and tools involved, so take them with a grain of salt.

So, without further ado, let’s initiate the stopwatch and see how long it really takes to change tires on a car!

Buying new tires today seems more confusing than ever before. Not only do you have to choose the correct size, speed, and load rating, but you also need to be sure that the type of tire fits the weather in your area. Make the wrong choice, and you might be having real issues in harsh wintry conditions, like snow and ice.

For those reasons, tiremakers put all sorts of symbols on the side of the tire. These should be helpful, but from what I learned in the past two decades, people are even more confused by those markings. That is especially true for the M+S letters, which most people associate with a tire that will be perfectly fine to drive on snow-covered roads.

However, that is far from the truth. In fact, M+S tires are so varied today and so different from each other that the symbol has largely lost its significance. But what does M+S really mean, and how does it convert into on-road and off-road performance?

In this article, I will crack the code and navigate the labyrinth of tire markings to give you a clear picture of what M+S classification means and also compare it to the modern Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) alternative. So, without further ado, let’s decipher the M+S terminology!

Car enthusiasts will go a long way to improve their ride. From engine tuning to larger wheels, these people will do anything to enhance their ride. This also includes inflating the tires with nitrogen rather than the good old air. You didn’t know that existed? Well, it’s a thing, and it became very popular recently, particularly among that enthusiast crowd.

But you came here because you probably heard about nitrogen inflation and wanted to learn more about it. Well, you arrived at the right place because here I will tell you everything there is to know about nitrogen inflation and whether it is the right solution for you. I will delve into more technical details but don’t worry, everything I say will still be in a language that is easy to understand by the regular driver.

So, without further ado, let’s have a closer look at nitrogen vs. air in tires as an inflation medium.

In this article, I will focus on the speed rating, as I reckon it’s the least-understood aspect when purchasing a new set of tires. Namely, while hitting the right tire size for your vehicle (usually) means you are also hitting the ride load capacity, with speed ratings, it isn’t as straightforward. That is because you can find the same tire size in two different speed ratings.

Fortunately, you arrived at the right place to learn everything there is to know about speed ratings and why they matter. For easier understanding, I will compare the most common H and V speed ratings, both of which cover a significant portion of passenger vehicles driving on public roads today.

Let’s start by explaining what speed ratings are, and then I will comprehensively compare H and V speed ratings so you can make an informed purchasing decision later on.

Tiremakers use two different sizing codes – metric and imperial. To make things even worse, the metric size actually includes imperial measurements for the wheel size because that’s how we’ve measured wheels since always.

As a result of this, people tend to get confused, which is why you will see many drivers on forums use 33-inch and 285 mm tires interchangeably. The first time I saw that, even I was confused because 285 mm is 11.22 inches, while 33 inches equals 838 mm. So, what’s the deal with that? Is there really a correlation between the two? Are these people crazy or something?

Well, put on your seatbelts because we are delving deep into off-road tire sizes. In this article, I’ll answer the lingering question of whether 33-inch and 285-mm tires are the same, but I will also teach you how to calculate tire dimensions so you never get confused in the future. Let’s strip down the layers of complexity, and help you understand how to choose the right tires for your off-roading needs.

Today, everyone can repair a puncture using tire plugs. They usually come in kits that have everything you need to seal the puncture and continue driving. Tire plug kits are so convenient and easy to use that even drivers with beginner knowledge in mechanics can finish the procedure while on the road. Not to mention, the whole procedure is quick and makes a pretty good seal.

But is tire plugging a good long-term solution? How long does a tire plug last? Can a tire plug last the lifetime of the vehicle? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t so straightforward, as there are many factors in play, with the biggest one being the quality of the work.

Besides, tiremakers usually don’t recommend tire plugging since; overall, it isn’t as durable as patching, which professional technicians use to seal a puncture. Don’t worry, as I will also cover that while also mentioning puncture sealants, which usually come in modern cars as a substitute for spare tires.

So, put your seatbelts on because I will drive you to the plug’s end!

One overlooked aspect of properly inflated tires is longevity. An underinflated tire will wear faster and might show signs of damage, like bulges and cracks. Meanwhile, overinflated tires could burst more easily in what is called a tire blowout.

Fortunately, most tires can keep their pressure for up to a month, which is the minimum recommended period between checking the tire pressure and re-inflating. Nonetheless, some tires lose pressure overnight, often leaving the car inoperable in the morning. This can be very inconvenient, especially since we are usually in a hurry every morning.

So, why is your tire losing pressure overnight? I can’t give you a straight answer because there can be numerous reasons that lead to an overnight tire pressure loss. Thus, I wrote an article where I’ll explain everything there is to know about tire pressure, why it’s important, and all the factors that affect tire pressure loss. Let’s have a closer look and find the culprit so you can sleep tighter tonight!

The easiest way to take care of your tires and the safety of your car is to check the pressure regularly. By doing this, you will ensure that they always perform at their best while minimizing fuel consumption and improving the driving experience.

Modern cars are equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which can notify you when it notices a significant pressure loss. It does that by blinking the red tire pressure light on the dashboard. As a result, most drivers react to this light and immediately check the tires, which is a good thing to do.

Nonetheless, the TPMS isn’t there to notify you of a slight pressure loss and can’t be used for regularly checking the tire pressure. For that reason, I wrote an article where I’d explain all the nuances of the Tire Pressure Monitoring System and why it matters, and answer the question: why is my tire pressure light blinking?

So, let’s solve the blinking puzzle = of the tire pressure light, what it means, and what you should do about it!

Flat spots on tires refer to areas on the tire’s surface that have become flattened or deformed due to certain conditions or actions. In that sense, flat spots are a type of uneven wear, where some parts of the tread wear faster than others. A tire with regular wear would have all the tread wearing down evenly.

These irregularities typically manifest as a pronounced thumping noise or unusual vibrations when driving, particularly at high speeds. You can also spot more severe flat spots on one of your tires.

Let’s get into more detail and see what flat spots are, how you can prevent them from happening, and of course, what you need to do if you spot a flat spot on one of your tires.