Tyre Tips

Contents Main Function What is inside Tire Understanding of Tire Marking Additional useful info. Index Table Tire Care (PART)
Pressure / Pressure - statistics Alignment Rotation
2 wheel drive 4 wheel Drive

Tread

Time to change your tires Closing Statement - END

Tires Main Functions

Tires are the single most important item you will buy for your vehicle. They significantly affect the safety and the handling of your vehicle.

Tires perform four important functions with the assistance of the air contained within them:
Support the vehicle chassis off the ground. Help absorb shocks from the road surface. Help transmit traction and braking forces to the road surface. Finally, they help change and maintain the direction of travel.

Tire Tips

A guide to understanding the markings on your tires.

Check the side wall of your tires and you will find a number similar to this example:

215/65 R 15 89H

Tire Width

The first number (215) represents the tire width. The tire width in the above example is 215 mm.

Height Ratio
The next number (65) represents the tire height aspect ratio. The height ratio of 65, means that the tire section height is 65% of the 215 mm width (ie 139.75 mm high). This double-digit figure is often referred to as the "tire series" (eg "65 series tires").

Tire Construction
The next expression (R) the construction of the tire. means radial ply

Rim Diameter
The next number (15) represents the rim diameter expressed in inches In the above example the rim diameter is 15 inches.

Load Index
The next number (89) is the Load Index and represents the maximum load the tire is designed to carry the Load Index of 89 indicates a load carrying capacity of 580 kg per tire.

Speed Index
The last letter (H) is the Speed Index and represents the maximum speed the tire should be used at Speed Index of "H" indicates the tire is designed to run at up to 210 km/hr.

Additional useful tire info.

TIRE AGE - Tires carry a three or four digit age code on the sidewall.
3 Digit code indicating the month and year of manuf. For example 129 means the tyre was manufactured in December 1999. 4 Digit code identifies the week and year of manuf. The first two figures identify the week, the second two figures represent the year. For example, 1702" represents the 17th week of 2002

TREAD WEAR
is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled condition example, a tire graded150 would wear one and a half (1 1/2) times as well as a tire graded 100.

TRACTION - Grades AA, A, B, C

represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement. A tire marked C will have the lowest traction performance.

TEMPERATURE Grade A, B, & C

The temperature grades A, B, and C, representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat. Example

Speed Index D E F G J K L M N P Q R S T U H V W Y ZR

km/hr 65 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 240 270 300 240+

Load Index 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 91 92 93 94 95 96 97

Load per Tyre (kg) 375 400 412 425 437 450 462 474 487 500 515 530 545 560 580 615 630 650 670 690 710 730

Tire Care (PART)

Pressure Check at least once a Month or at every long trip. Tire must be checked when they are cold that is before they have been run no more than 2 km. (A tire can loose up to half of its air and not appear to be flat).
Under inflation Results unnecessary tire stress Cause extreme sidewall flexing resulting in dangerous heat build-up Bad handling / Loss of control - accident. Bad fuel economy. Over inflated Rough ride Tire tread wear rapidly Prone to blow up on hard impact or on contact with sharp object.

More on tire Pressure - statistics

90% of all vehicles have at least one tire under inflated. A tire will lose 1 pound of air pressure for every 5C temperature drop. Tires breathe, releasing about 1 pound of pressure per month. A tire that is 20% under inflated will reduce tire life by 30% & increase fuel consumption by 7%. A tire that is 30% under inflated will reduce tire life by 50%. A very soft tire will generate enough heat to melt and explode at high speeds!

Tire Care (PART)

Wheel Alignment Alignment generally refers to the adjustment of a vehicle's front and rear suspension parts.
Poor wheel alignment causes
Difficult vehicle handling Accelerate tires wear.

When to check Wheel Alignment

You notice different handling of your vehicle You have hit something (kerb, pot holes etc) You see a wear pattern developing on the shoulders of the tires.

Wheel Balance out of balance wheels causes reduce in drive control.

check whenever you feel vibration to the steering.

Tire Care (PART)

ROTATION Regular rotation of tires help prolong your tire life by achieving uniform wear. (2 Wheel Drive)
It is recommended to rotate your tire every 10000 12000 km. or as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

Tire Care (PART)

ROTATION Regular rotation of tires help prolong your tire life by achieving uniform wear. (4 wheel Drive)
It is recommended to rotate your tire every 10000 12000 km. or as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
5 Tire Rotation

Tire Care (PART)

TREAD Advanced and unusual tread wear can reduce the ability of tread to grip the road.
Visually inspect your tire for uneven wear change as necessary.

When to change your tires

When the Tread is worn down to 1.6mm You see cord or fabric showing through the tire's rubber. The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut deep enough to show cord or fabric. The tire has a bulge or split. The tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that can't be repaired well because of the size or location of the damage.

Unfortunately the majority of people purchase tires based on price instead of PURPOSE. As in most cases, you get what you pay for. So think about how much would you pay for your LIFE, or your Family's.

Thank You

END