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Read Tire Sidewall and Tires Maintenance

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Tires Info          Winter/Snow Tires go
  1. First number 185 is a three digits number indicates width of the tire, in millimetres.
    Higher number indicates a wider tire. P prefix denotes a passenger car tire.

    2.
  2. Second number 65 is the aspect ratio, relationship between the tire's height and its width.
    The tire's height is 65% of the tire's width.

    3.
  3. Letter R standing for Radial, is a particular design of automotive tire, Radial-ply tire.
    Radial tires differ from diagonal bias-ply tires in their construction, which minimizes tread wear and improves flexibility of the sidewall, for better handling. Most of the tires are steel-belted radial tires.

    4.
  4. Next number 15 indicates diameter of the wheel rim on which the tire will fit.
    15" inches in this example.

    5.
  5. The number 88 represent load index, is an assigned number corresponding with the load carrying capacity of the tire. The higher tire's load index number, the greater its load carrying capacity.

    6.
  6. Letter T represent speed rating, which indicates the range of speeds at which a tire is certified.
    N - 87 mph  140km/h temporary spare tire
    P - 93 mph  150 km/h
    Q - 99 mph  160 km/h studless and studdable winter tire
    R - 106 mph 170 km/h light truck tire
    S - 112 mph 180 km/h sedans and mini vans
    T - 118 mph 190 km/h sedans and vans
    U - 124 mph 200 km/h
    H - 130 mph 210 km/h sport sedans and coupes
    V - 149 mph 240 km/h sport sedans, coupes and sports cars

  7. M+S Mud and Snow designation represents all-season tre, if a tire has MS or M&S is all-season tire.
    Snowflake inside a mountain pictogram - indicate winter tire.
    H - performance tire.
    V - high performance tire.
    LT - for light truck.
    AT - all-terrain, usually SUV tire.
  8. DOT Code is an alphanumeric character on the sidewall of the tire for purposes of tire identification.
winter tires Winter/Snow Tires go

Tires Maintenance
  1. Check each tire's air pressure, including your spare tire once a month, and before a long trip.

  2. Load carrying limits denotes on tire should never be exceeded.

  3. Rotate your tires regularly, rotated achieves more uniform wear, rotate tires every 10 000 km

  4. Balance tires and check wheels alignment, unbalanced tires can result in a vehicle's vibration.

  5. Check you tires at least once a month, for uneven wear and foreign objects wedged in the tread.

  6. Monitor tread wear and replace tires when your tire tread is worn out.

  7. Have your wheels aligned annually, or every 25 000 km.

Repair Flat Tire Repair Flat Tire

Tire with a nail hole can be repaired, the proper repair method of tire repair. There are two ways a tire can be
repaired: with a patch or a plug.

The repair can be done from the outside or the inside if:
• The hole can not exceed 5 mm in diameter, if it’s more then 6 mm the tire is scrap.
• The hole cannot be in the sidewall area, it is not safe to repair side hole.

Usually tire can be repaired with a patch and plug system, recommend a patch plug; the piece of rubber that
has a mushroom cap on the end.
Special adhesive is applied and stem of the patch plug is inserted through the hole from the outside of the tire.
The cap of the plug sticks to the inside of the tire, and the excess length of the stem is cut off.

Some repair shops do not dismount the tire from the wheel. But if there are steel wires exposed inside the tire,
they can rust, this can lead to steel belt failure and a wobbly tire few months later.

Tires manufacture allow up to 3 patch plug repairs per tire in the tread area, improper repair can void the tire
limited warranty.

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Tires are not repairable in any of the following situations:
• If the tire was operated with inflation pressure less than 15 psi - 100 kPa.
• Profound scratch or other damage is present on the exterior tread, sidewall or bead.
• Wrinkling or separation is present on the tire.

So if it is time for a new tire, to avoid reducing the speed capability of the vehicle, replace a speed-rated tire only with new tire having at least the same speed rating.

Wheels alignment
Proper alignment is an important part of tire maintenance. Poor alignment will cause your tires to wear unevenly and you may experience handling problems, such as "pulling" or vibration. Poor alignment will also increase your fuel consumption. Common practice is to have your alignment checked annually, or every 25,000 km.

Balancing wheels
Wheels need to be balanced. If they are out of balance, you may feel a pounding or shaking through the steering wheel or your seat. This pounding could shorten the life of suspension components, lead to uneven tire wear and increase fuel consumption.

Rotation wheels
Regular rotation will minimize wear and prolong the life of your tires. Rotation will also reduce the risk of sudden tire failure.

Front tires work harder than rear tires as they must bear the scrubbing action of steering as well as rolling wear. You can prolong the life of your tires by rotating them. Full size spares should be part of the rotation pattern. Rotate your tires according to the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation, found in the owner's manual. Or, talk to your tire professional to find out how often the tires on your vehicle should be rotated.
Common practice is to rotate tires every 10,000 km.

Tire tread
Tires are designed to grip the road, allowing your vehicle to start, stop and go around corners safely in any weather. The treads that accomplishes this wear out over time, but drivers can take precautionary steps to prolong the life of their tires.

Properly maintaining your tires will increase their life. It is extremely important to check your tire treads for signs of wear. Proper treads allow for normal handling of your vehicle and help prevent skidding and hydroplaning. Tires are manufactured with a "wear bar" that tells you when there is less than 1.6 mm 2/32 inch of tread depth remaining when you see this wear bar, the tire must be replaced.
You could also try the penny test: place a penny in the tire's groove with the Queen's crown facing down.
If you can see the top of the Queen's crown, the tire needs replacing.



Tire damage
It is important to perform regular visual inspections of your tires for signs of damage and excessive wear.
Look for embedded objects, such as rocks, nails or glass. Catching problems early can save you money and prevent a sudden tire failure.

Tires storage
When not in use, tires should be stored upright in an indoor location, out of direct sunlight or exposure to strong artificial light, heat, ozone and hydrocarbons. If tires are stored on their rims, the pressure should be reduced to approximately 15 psi to avoid cracking or deformation.
 
 
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