A Summer Guide to Tires

Summer heat and long vacation trips on the highway are tough duty on tires. Tires are subject to heat build-up from low tire inflation pressures and overloading of the vehicle with luggage and extra people. Driving the vehicle for two, four or six hours between rest stops adds even more heat to the equation.

Before going on a trip have your tires checked. Most importantly ask specifically that the tire pressure be checked. Do not assume that it will be checked if you don’t specifically ask.

Set your tire pressure according to the sticker on the door jam of the vehicle. Also check the tire pressure rating on the side of the tire. If the tire will allow it, you might consider adding 4 pounds to the manufacturer’s recommendation. This will extend tire life without significantly adding harshness to the ride. Never go above the pressure rating molded into the sidewall of the tire.

Measure the tread depth. Place a copper penny on edge into the groove of the tire, placing Abraham Lincoln head-down. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, then you have less than 2/32” tread depth. Your tires are below the legal minimum.

Check the inside and outside edges of your tires, comparing the tread depth to that in the middle of the tire. If it is less you have either driven with too low of a tire pressure or you have an alignment problem. Rub your hand over the tread forward and backward. If you feel sharp edges when going backwards then you have gone too long between tire rotations.

If you are frustrated with short tire life there are a few things you can try. Look at the speed rating of your tire. If you have a “V”, “Y” or “Z” rated tire you could consider using an “H” rated tire. The tire will not perform as well under extreme handling conditions, but if you are primarily driving in a sedate manner you will not notice any difference. The “H” rated tire could last one and a half to as much as two times as many miles.

Another consideration for SUV tires is to look at the load rating number. This is a number such as 101 or 104 or 110. This number code relates to the specific weight rating capacity of the tire. A tire rated a 110 is rated for 2300 pounds per tire where a 104 tire is rated for 1900 pounds. Tires with the higher rating in the same tire brand/model will usually last longer than tires with the lower rating.

Lastly, remember you usually get what you pay for. If you buy a private-label tire you will often times not get as smooth of a ride or a smooth ride for as many miles. As a tire wears the ability to keep it vibration free diminishes. Sometimes the tire will develop specific speed bands where it vibrates, while running smoothly only 5 mph slower or faster. Unfortunately the vibration usually seems to occur at exactly the speed you want to travel at. Our experience, and remember we don’t sell tires, is that the cheaper tires develop vibration problems much earlier than the expensive tires.

Special thanks to James Freeman with Joey Watkins Tire & Automotive, who contributed to this article.

Brian Klaubert has written for the Neighborhood News for four years, and owns Christian Brothers Automotive – Hamilton Mill on Braselton Hwy in Dacula. They have been voted Best of Gwinnett in both the Gwinnett Daily Post and Gwinnett Magazine.