• Tread
  • The tread refers to the rubber that makes contact with the road. This is one of the most important factors in whether or not you need new tires. A good tread depth would be 6/32 of an inch or deeper, 4/32 of an inch means you need to consider new tires soon, and less than 2/32 means your tires are no longer roadworthy and you need to make an appointment as soon as possible. To determine tread depth you can use a tread depth gauge if you just happen to have one laying around, or grab a penny off the floor of your back seat and insert it in the grooves upside down with Lincoln facing you. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head it is time for fresh tires. Low treads can cause fishtailing, slipping, hydroplaning, and skidding while stopping.
• Wear Pattern
  • The wear pattern highlights the part of your tire that makes the most contact with the pavement. An uneven wear pattern can help diagnose various concerns such as alignment, overinflation, underinflation, or front end issues.
• Tire Pressure
  • Tire pressure measures the amount of pressure that is keeping your tire inflated. Checking your this frequently can help expose an issue before it becomes dangerous. Every car requires a different number of pounds per square inch, commonly known as the PSI. This can be found on a sticker inside the drivers door on all newer vehicles and will ensure you are getting the best handling, gas mileage, and tire life for your specific vehicle. To check your PSI, use a tire pressure gauge and insert it into the valve stem. Many newer vehicles can electronically monitor your tire pressure and will display a TPMS warning light on your dash if your tires are not properly filled. Incorrect PSI can cause uneven wear, blowouts, or other catastrophic problems.
• Shelf Life
  • Every tire manufacturer has a different standard when it comes to the shelf life of their tires, although most recommend replacing tires 6 years past the manufacture date and an absolute maximum of 10 years.  As tires age, the rubber can dry out and crack causing the inner wire to separate from the tread, putting you and other drivers in danger on the road.

Now that you’ve determined you need new tires, it’s time to pick out the perfect set for your car. These are the most important considerations to make when purchasing tires:

• Location
  • Different environments need different tires. If you live somewhere with a good mix of weather, all-season tires are going to be your best option to handle all types of weather. If you live somewhere with harsh winters, you may want to consider purchasing two sets of tires: summer tires and winter tires.
• Lifestyle
  • Your lifestyle can greatly impact the type of tire you choose. If you tend to do quite a bit of car traveling, you may want to invest in ribbed tires that are rated for higher mileage. All terrain tires are a great hybrid between all season and mudding tires for those who like to get a little dirty. Mud Terrain tires are specifically made for those who like to get extra dirty
• Type of Car
  • This one is given. A sports car is going to do best with a touring tire, while a performance vehicle needs to have performance tires for the larger circumference

The last matter you need to be aware of when purchasing tires is the size and rating. Tire size and rating are located on the sidewall and is made up of three measurements  (Width, profile, and rim size) and two ratings (Load and speed rating). An example would be 225/50 R17 98H

• Width(225)
  • This is how thick the tire is in millimeters. The width of your tire can alter the traction you have. A smaller width means better handling when cutting through snow, while a thicker width is better for handling in warmer weather.
• Profile(50)
  • The profile is the height of the sidewall. This number is the distance between the rim and outer edge of the tire (the part that makes contact with the road) and is written as the percentage of the width. For our example the profile is 50% of the width. While a low profile may make it easier to whip around sharp turns, the lack of absorbency can make for a very bumpy ride.
• Rim Size(R17)
  • This one is self explaining. The “R” stands for radial which is what is happening inside the tire. Radial is the most common construction for current tires. “17” is the diameter of the rims in inches.
• Load Index (98
  • This number is how much weight the tire is able to handle. There is a master conversion chart to figure out what this number should be, for our example it is 1653 pounds
• Speed Rating(H)
  • This is another given, you can use the conversion chart to determine how fast the tires are rated to go. The higher the speed rating (starting at A) the faster it can *safely* go.

While there is countless knowledge to be had when it comes to purchasing tires, we hope this short list helps you feel prepared when your time comes! Wisco Automotive is here to answer all of your questions and is proud to be Racine County’s go-to for fresh tires! Contact us today at 262-767-9393 or come visit us in store for a quote of purchasing and installing tires!

Wisco Automotive in Burlington, Wisconsin offers great deals on top tire brands. You can trust our mechanics for flawless installation too! Give us a call at 262-767-9393 to get a new tire quote or shop for tires online now!