Tire Care
Tire Care
It may seem easy to neglect them, but your tires are one of the most important things keeping your vehicle on the road. They're the only part of your vehicle that actually comes into contact with the road when you drive! That's one reason better tire care is essential. Because when you take care of your tires, they take care of you.
It all starts with a few easy steps! Here are some small things you can do that will make a big difference. And don't forget to stop by Hibdon Tires Plus any time for a free tire inspection. We'll make sure your tires get what they need, giving you better mileage and performance in return.
Read the sidewall of your tire
The sidewalls of your tires are rich with helpful information. But if you're unsure of how to decipher it, you might feel like you're trying to translate a foreign language. Luckily, understanding what all those letters and numbers mean on the sidewall is not difficult! There are five sections in this sequence of characters.
Tire Class
The first part of the sidewall information is typically the tire class, however, sometimes tires are not labeled with a class before the size. When present, the tire class will either be a P for passenger tire or an LT for Light Truck tire.
Section Width
The three numbers following tire class signify the section width, which is the width of the tire in millimeters from one sidewall to the other. In the graphic, that tire has a section width of 215mm.
Aspect Ratio
The two numbers following the slash after section width show the height to width aspect ratio for the tire. In the graphic, the tire's sidewall height is 65% of the 215mm width.
Tire Construction
The letter following the aspect ratio represents tire construction. The "R" represents radial construction, meaning the tire's plies run at a 90-degree angle from the centerline of the tire.
Wheel Diameter
Following the R is the wheel diameter, which represents the size of the wheel the tire can be mounted on. The graphic shows a tire with a wheel diameter of 15 inches.
Load Index and Speed Rating
The final character in this string of tire information is the load index and the speed rating. The load index states how much weight the tires are manufactured to handle, while the speed rating dictates how fast the tires are rated to spin. For example, the tire in the graphic can carry 1,521 pounds and has a speed limit of 130 mph.
Three Steps to Better Tire Car
Taking care of your tires starts with three easy steps: inflate, rotate, and evaluate.
Inflate
Check your tire pressure monthly and inflate your tires according to your vehicle manufacturer's recommendation. Check the placard in your driver's side door for information on proper tire inflation. And don’t forget—you can always stop by your local Hibdon Tires Plus for a free air check!
Rotate
Get your tires rotated as recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer or every 5,000 miles.
Evaluate
Perform routine visual inspections of your tires. Look for cracks, treadwear, foreign objects, or damage. Schedule an appointment at Hibdon Tires Plus to have a tire expert assess the life of your tires and help you get new ones when it is time.
Learn About the 4-Tire Rotation
At Hibdon Tires Plus, we do our best to make sure you're getting the most life out of your tires. That's why we perform the 4-tire rotation in an “X” rotation pattern. On rear and four-wheel-drive and AWD vehicles, the rear tires move to the front, while the front tires move to the opposite position on the rear axle.
Front-wheel-drive vehicles are the opposite. The front tires move to the rear, and the rear tires move to the opposite side in the front.
A 4-tire rotation helps ensure that your tread wears more evenly, which can improve the performance of your vehicle and the life of your tires!
Know Your Tires, Inside and Out
There's more to your tires than meets the eye! See the graphic for a detailed look at the inside of your tires.
Tire Care from Hibdon Tires Plus
Taking better care of your tires starts with Hibdon Tires Plus! Schedule an appointment at your nearest Oklahoma location, and we'll perform a thorough tire check and ensure you're rolling out with your tires in optimal shape. If it's time for new tires, our expert tire techs can help find you the best tire for your vehicle and budget so you can drive with confidence. Give us a call or book an appointment online today.