LIFE-HACKS(ESSENTIAL THINGS A PERSON SHOULD ENDEAVOR TO HAVE IN THEIR CARS)

SPARE TYRE; A Spare tyre, sometimes we buy a car without a spare tyre, its a good thing to check and try to replace if your car does not come with a spare tyre, before every long trip check the condition of your spare tyre, if the tyre needs replacement(sometimes even though the tyres are not used may expire and have cracks which undermines the usability of the tyre)

WHEEL JACK OR JACK; This is a device which is usually placed under a vehicle to lift it up and change a tyre, most mordern cars comes with a jack but check yours and try to get one if you dont have because it will save your life and time one day.

JUMPER CABLES; these are cables that aid a flat or an un charged battery get a boost from other electric sources or mainly from batteries, it usually comes in red and black colours, red for positive and black for negative.

TYRE PUNCTURE AND FIXING KIT; This kit consists of a tyre plug, tyre liquid sealant, small inflater machine and other tyre puncture driver, ask about tyre repair kit from hardware shops near you.

BRIEF HISTORY OF BRIDGESTONE TYRES

The Bridgestone brand is one of the most popular tyre brands in the whole wide world, it has more than 50,000 employees and 52 production companies around the world.But every successful business has a starting point,

The History of Bridgestone – Starting point

Shojiro Ishibashi, was a humble japanese who would later become the founder of the Bridgestone Tire Company, he started managing and running his family-owned clothing business at the age of 17. He decided to use his savings to invest in rubber industry in Japan: he started with socks called tabi socks that have rubber soles for working in factories, then he delved into tire making.

On April 9, 1930, Ishibashi’s dream of producing tyres domestically became a reality when his own in-house operation, referred to as the Japan “Tabi” socks Tyre Division, manufactured the first Bridgestone tyre.

On March 1, 1931, Ishibashi formed the Bridgestone Tyre Company, Ltd. in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, a city in Japan. For more than 50 years, Bridgestone continued to evolve and eventually established itself not only as the largest manufacturer of tyres in the country, but also as an international brand. However, they faced many challenges along the way.

During its early days, the Bridgestone Tyre Company was stalled by production, technology and sales-related issues.

And then came World War II, which was the necessitated the destruction of its Tokyo Headquarters along with the complete eradication of assets located overseas.

Fortunately, the war came to an end and the emerging tyre and rubber manufacturer was also able to open a plant in Singapore in 1965. And in 1967, the Bridgestone Tyre Company of America was formed.

Technological Advancements;

In 1951, Bridgestone introduced rayon cord tyres to Japan. And only eight years later, it added nylon tyres to its arsenal of products. The tire and rubber giant also opened another plant in Tokyo in 1960. Bridgestone began selling passenger-vehicle tyres, known as RD-10s, in 1967. In 1978, it put the high-performance radial tire, POTENZA, on the market.

The Merger

Although Bridgestone’s founder passed away in 1976, the company continued to grow. It purchased the Firestone Tyre & Rubber Company plant, located in Tennessee, in 1982 and in 1988 the company made the decision to shift to a global corporation by acquiring The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company. This well-established company was founded in August 1900 by Harvey Firestone in Akron, Ohio, and had already made a mark internationally in the evolving tire and rubber industry. Following the merger, the newly formed Bridgestone Group quickly claimed its share of the market as one of the largest global tire and rubber entities.

Since the merger, Bridgestone remains committed to excellence and desires to go the extra mile to serve both customers and society with quality products.

INTERESTING HISTORIES ON TYRES(THE STORY OF MICHELIN MAN)

During the Lyon Universal Exhibition of 1894, the Michelin brothers noticed a pile of tyres on their exhibition stand. Édouard Michelin was amazed and said to his brother André Michelin, “Look, with arms it would make a man.” this would be a memorable day for André Michelin
After 4 years, when looking at an advertising sketch for a brasserie drawn by the artist O’Galop, André Michelin had an idea: why not replace the bearded giant raising his beer mug with a man made of a pile of tyres and holding a cup filled with nails and broken glass. The latin quote by Horace, “Nunc est Bibendum” which means now it is time to drink declared by the character was also reused by Michelin brothers.
this advert was used for years to convince the engineers then who are using iron and other materials for wheels that a rubber tyre is best

soon the Michelin Man was born and he began to play a major role for the tyre company: it was he who presented the products and advised and assisted motorists, becoming the brand’s worldwide ambassador.

In 1905, Michelin opened a sales office in London. A knight costume was added to The Michelin Man, so he changed into a knight to conquer this new territory, wearing a helmet and carrying a shield. For his coat of arms, the spectacles, the cup, a cigar, and the cross-section of a tyre with a nail incapable of puncturing it. a line from Tennyson was adapted to promote this tyres, “My strength is as the strength of ten, because my rubber is pure.”

By 1907 the Michelin Man crossed the ocean to set up a factory in Milltown, New Jersey. The advertising became more educational: the Michelin Man was depicted as a giant accompanying and advising travellers by explaining the advantages of tyres.

From 1907 to 1915, the Agenzia dei Italia Pneumatici Michelin published a monthly review sent to its customers by post. It copied the fun but educational format of the “Michelin Mondays”(another article) in France. But care was taken with the front cover, which naturally involved the Michelin Man. The Italians turned the character into even more of a hero than he was in France. On this cover the Michelin Man is a sort of diplomat idolised by women.

By 1914, Michelin adopted styles from many artist, but being guided by the normal michelin man packed tyres shape smoking a cigar and wearing spectacles representing the customer of those times.

In 1922, North African Michelin man by Roger Brooders, shows michelin man as a mascot dressed in bedoiun adopting the local costume of that side as of that time also wearing babouches and djellabas

From the 1930s onwards, Michelin made increasingly less use of outside artists. As a result, images of the Michelin Man became more standard, although there were country-specific variants. Adapting to the evolution of tyres, his rings became thicker and the character dropped his wealthy image to move closer to a broader customer base until what we see today.

INTERESTING HISTORY ABOUT TYRES THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW
there is more to tyres than the way you know it as what you use everyday to help the mobility of your car here are some 10 intresting facts

1. Charles Goodyear invented vulcanized rubber in 1844. This was the rubber that was later used for tyres. Goodyear tyres are still thriving today!

2. In 1888, John Dunlop invented the air-filled, or pneumatic tyres, however, his were for bicycles, not cars.

3. In 1895, André Michelin was the first person to use pneumatic tyres on an automobile, however, not successfully.

4. In 1911, Philip Strauss invented the first successful tyre, which was a combination tyre and air filled inner tube. Strauss’ company, the Hardman Tire & Rubber Company, marketed the tyres.

5. In 1903, P.W. Litchfield of the Goodyear Tyre Company patented the first tubeless tyre. It wasn’t used commercially for more than 50 years, until it was used with the 1954 Packard.

6. In 1904, mountable rims were introduced that allowed drivers to fix their own flats.

7. In 1908, Frank Seiberling invented grooved tyres that improved road traction.

8. In 1910, the B.F. Goodrich Company invented longer life tyres by adding carbon to the rubber.

9. Goodrich also invented the first synthetic rubber tyres in 1937.

10. In 1947, B. F. Goodrich invented a tubeless tyre. After successful testing for the tyres, Goodrich won the patents for the tyre’s various features( 1952). By 1955 the new tubeless tyre came standard on most new automobiles.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A NEW SET OF SPORT OR UPGRADE RIMS

there are few things that must be considered when choosing a wheel for your car. That is why understanding the characteristics of the various types of wheels and rims along with the various features of these items helps to guide the you in finding the suitable ones for your vehicle. The size of the rims directly affect how the vehicle performs when in motion. The material the rims are constructed from determines how well they will hold up to various driving conditions also. It is important to also know the proper measurements suitable for the vehicle when changing wheel and rim sizes to larger models. rims can be purchased at tyre centers, car dealerships or online.

Wheel and Rim Materials

The terms “wheel ”and “rim” are both used to refer to the metal center that is mounted to the axle of a vehicle and is used to support the tire. Wheels come in various materials which change the way the car can be used. Some materials are lightweight while others can stand up to heavy-duty use. This section of the guide covers various types of wheels and rims and what they are best suited for in regards to use. The table below is a list of the most common wheel materials that are on personal vehicles today.

TYPES OF MATERIALS USED IN MAKING RIMS AND THEIR DISADVANTAGES

Light wheels that are perfect for aesthetics and speed such as racing wheels, more resistant to corrosion than the steel counterpart

DISADVANTAGES;Not as durable as other wheels for use in rugged terrain, more prone to breaking or cracking when used in harsh conditions

Chrome

Chrome wheels have high polished shine, great for aesthetic appeal

DISADVANTAGES; Needs regular cleaning to keep lustre from fading

Steel

Typically steel wheels give vehicle lower center of gravity. Heavy and durable, this wheel is great for rugged terrain or snow

DISADVANTAGES; Lower cast ability for customization purposes than alloys; offers less speed than other models due to weight, also less appealing

Wire (Spoke)

Extremely light, wire wheels still give adequate vehicle support, multiple wires or spokes add aesthetic appeal

DISADVANTAGES; Takes longer to clean because of multiple wires or spokes than other wheel types

Terrain is an important factor to consider when it comes to getting rims that can handle that everyday wear and tear and yet still remain durable and long-lasting. One of the measures used to determine what rim is appropriate for a vehicle is to consider the primary terrain that the vehicle uses the most. For a vehicle that is primarily used for off-road pleasure, the wheels or rims should be selected based on that primary function. Heavy duty wheels and rims are not necessary for road travel because they can affect handling, reduce speed and the fuel economy of the vehicle.

Sizing for New Wheels and Rims;

The size of the rims also affects the performance of the vehicle. Wheels and rims that are either too large or too small can damage various components of the vehicle and affect such things as timing of the transmission, computer components, and it can even affect the overall control of the braking system. Wheels and rims that are too heavy for the vehicle can increase tire wear and fuel economy and give the vehicle a rough ride.

Taking Measurements

When choosing to upgrade rims to a larger size,one needs to know what size of rims the vehicle will allow because the size plays an important role in the overall handling performance of the vehicle. Not having the proper rims for the vehicle causes damage to the tyres which can be risky when traveling on bad road conditions. The rims must also be strong enough to support the weight of the vehicle and durable enough that they do not bend or crack under pressure from road hazards such as deep potholes.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN MEASURING FOR RIMS

Measure how wide the wheel is from left edge to right edge

Diameter

Measure how tall the wheel stands from top to bottom

Bolt Pattern

How many bolts; measure width of bolt circle with bolt circle gauge or use measuring tape and starting at edge of first bolt hole, measure to the center of the third bolt hole, skipping the second one

Backspace

Measure clearance of wheel from wheel well; easiest done by placing a straightedge diagonally along top back side of rim to inboard flange; then measure from contact point of inboard flange until hub mounting surface is reached

Offset

Measure distance from hub mounting surface to the wheel centerline to find either the positive or negative offset; positive offset has a hub-mounting surface that faces the wheel side of the wheel which is typical of front-wheel drive vehicles; negative offset faces brakeside of the wheel centerline and is typical of “deep dish” style wheels; zero offset has an even hub mounting surface with wheel centerline, by doing this you eliminate guess-work, also it helps to find wheels that cannot quarrel with brake calipers, or rims that will over-work your diffs and bearings etc

Finding the Rim Size on Tires

Among other things, a very important piece of information that a person needs to know when changing wheels is the size of wheels currently on the car, especially if they plan on sticking with the same size of tyre(see earlier post on how to determine tyre size

HOW TO KNOW THE EXPIRY DATE OF A TYRE

Just like other materials being manufactured a tyre has an expiry date, normally a tyre is not suppose to last more than 5 years, because weather condition affects tyres, even a parked vehicle's tyre also expire,

The standard tyre is built to last for 4 years and if still in use after 4 years from the date of manufacture then its at your own risk because it can burst during high speeds or if you check you notice visible separations, which can disappoint you while driving.

Every manufactured tyre have a date of manufacture(DOM) always written like this (2415)
whereas 24 is the week on which it was produced and 15 is the year which it was produced, so while buying your tyres always check the manufacture date to avoid buying a ''close-to-expiry'' tyre, also it is important to check the dates if you are planning to buy used tyre for your vehicle, if you notice any visible small cracks from a tyre its a sign that the tyre life is already compromised, so as to stand in safe side always check a tyre's date of manufacture and other things(discussed previously) here is a picture of what it looks like below

TYPES OF RUN-FLAT TYRES(RFT)

runflat tyres simply means tyres that ensure mobility of a vehicle even when the tyre has lost pressure or has a blowout,

here are some types of runflat tyres available depending on the use

1. Self-Sealing Tyres

Self-sealing tyres are engineered to repair most tread-area punctures instantly and permanently. These tyres have a reinforced, specialized tyre construction with an additional interior lining underneath the tread that is coated with a proprietary resin (puncture sealing material similar to what we use on our self-sealing fuel tanks) that can help seal punctures from common road hazards such as nails, screws, glass, or other debris with a diameter of 3/16″ or less.

As soon as the special lining is punctured and the object is removed, it immediately heals or seals itself and fills in the gap to stop an air leak and prevent loss of air pressure. For small perforations, most drivers won’t even be aware that they suffered a puncture since they will never lose air pressure or experience a mobility crisis. For unarmored vehicles or for typical consumer use, self-sealing tires can be a good option to prevent a loss of mobility from small road hazards.

2. Self-Supporting Tyres or Run Flat Tyres (RFTs)

Self-supporting tyres feature a stiffer reinforced internal construction, that is capable of briefly supporting the weight of a vehicle during a loss of air pressure in the the tyre.Self-supporting RFTs will typically allow passenger vehicles to travel between 30-50 miles depending on the weight of the vehicle, travel speed, road conditions, and other factors.

3. Auxiliary Supported Run-Flat Systems these Tyres are Coupled with Run-Flat Inserts or Inner Supporting Rings

auxiliary-supported runflat systems combine special, inner security inserts combined with OEM wheel assemblies and heavy-duty tires with a high-load index. With this mobility solution, the run-flat insert is fitted around the OEM wheel or rim between the rubber tire and metal wheel. In the event of a blowout or loss of pressure, the rubber tire will deflate normally, and the vehicle will drop down onto the inner runflat insert which will come in contact with the rubber tyre and support the vehicle, helping keep the tyre in place for an extended period of time and protecting the OEM rim from impact with the driving surface

4. Tactical “Military-Style” Wheels With Specialized Runflats and/or Beadlock Systems

While traditional runflat inserts are an excellent solution for many applications, they can pose a risk for clients driving in particularly harsh environments we tire/wheel clearance (air gap) is critical—in a scenario where runflat inserts come into contact with a large pothole or road hazard and the impact is transferred from the insert directly to the OEM wheel, the OEM wheel can crack or break depending on the force of the impact and the construction of the wheel

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING USED TYRES

WHAT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A USED TYRE

Looking up reviews about a tyre store is always a good start. Do they treat their customers well? Do they go above and beyond the basic level of service? Are they dependable and fair? If so, then they're worth looking into buying used tyres from. If they seem like they take cheap shortcuts and cause more problems for their customers than they fix, you might avoid them
Once you've determined a good place to shop, you'll want to take a look at the actual tyres.
Make sure you're looking at the correct sizes of tyres for your car. It's always a good idea to check your car's manual instead of assuming that your current tyres are the correct size because there maybe an alternative size also. If you don't have a car manual, you can also check for a metal tag in your driver's door jamb, your glove compartment door, or your fuel hatch.
Once you're looking at the right tyre size, then check the physical condition of the tyre for this possible wear and tear.
here are the hings you need to physically check
Tread Wear
Use a coin to figure out if the tyres have enough tread. Take a coin and put it in the middle of the tyre's tread. You want to be able to see the heads side of the coin, If the tread covers up to half, then the tyre has plenty of tread left. but proceed with caution.
Wear Distribution
wear distribution should be even across the face of the tyre. Be aware of wear that is only on one side of the tyre, is only in the middle of the tyre, is only on one place on the tyre, or is in spots across the tyre (cupping). Also look for bubbles or pockets of air underneath the rubber of the tire. Uneven wear diminishes the effectiveness of a tyre and can be dangerous to use.
Matching Treads
Try to find treads that match, whether this is replacing one tyre and matching it to your other tyres, or finding four tyres that all match each other. Having tires with the different treads can reduce the effectiveness of the tires as a set, causing more wear or dangerous driving conditions, at least try to find 2 treads that match.
Punctures/Patching
Check the sides (and insides, if you can) of the tyre for patches, plugs, etc. If a tyre has several repairs done to it, it's probably an indicator of a problem tyre.

IMPORTANCE OF WHEEL ALIGNMENT

Most people don't realize the importance of proper wheel alignment on our cars. they think that nothing much happens to their tyres other than an occasional puncture. It is very important that we regularly get our wheels aligned, it should be done as often as we get the car serviced.

Wheel alignment is making sure that the wheels of the car are perpendicular to the road; also, it makes sure that the wheels are parallel to one other.

Save Fuel

When the wheels of the car are not aligned there is uneven pressure on the tyres. They tend to push against each other. When that happens the car faces opposing friction and much more resistance from the road surface and causes the tyres to wear out un-uniformly and faster This means that your car has to work that much harder to move forward and more fuel is used than normal.


Cost Of New Tires

lack of alignment cause you to buy tyres often
More resistance to the road surface means more pressure on the rubber of your tyres. That leads to very quick wear and tear on the tyres. It results in the tyre becoming bald on one side.
 Not only is it dangerous to drive on uneven tires, it also means that you have to spend on new tires sooner.

Many of us think that everything is covered in the warranty of the tyre manufacturer. Take the time to read the fine print. No warranty is extended if the tyres are kept in shoddy condition. This is not a manufacturing defect; it is due to poor maintenance of the tyres on our part, and it is not fair to hold them responsible.

Safety
 consider the safety factor too. Have you ever driven a car which pulls itself to one side all the time? This is due to faulty wheel alignment. You probably know how difficult it is to drive on a wet  road even with perfectly aligned wheels. With badly aligned wheels, you are taking risk. money spent once in a while getting your wheels aligned can bring you peace of mind.

Strain On The Car

Having a car with badly aligned wheels also leads to other connected problems. Your brake shaft does not work to optimal levels. The tendency to pull to one side due to uneven tyres causes problems in the steering system. It also leads to uneven braking. Improper wheel alignments or not having your wheels aligned will affect the suspension of your car. The suspension in a car is made up of complicated and delicately balanced parts, and it is important that it should be perfect,

When Should You Get Your Wheels Aligned?

If you find that when your steering is pointing straight forward and the car veers to the right or left, that is an indicator of a necessary wheel alignment. Another indicator is when you find that one tyre is worn more than another.

The thumb rule is that you should get you wheels aligned once every 6000 miles or 6 months, whichever is earlier. You should also get your wheels aligned or at least checked by a professional

Note that wheel alignment is not the same as wheel balancing. Many people think that both are the same. Many tire retailers will tell you that they are the same thing. Wheel balancing is simply adjusting the balance between the tire and the rim. It is important not to get confused between the two.

DO YOU KNOW?

DO YOU KNOW?
wheels has been around since civilization, but the rise of something wonderful happened in 1888 when Scottish veterinarian John Boyd Dunlop invented the first air-filled or pneumatic tires. He attached rubber hoses to wooden wheels and covered the contact patches with thick canvas. He placed these first tires on a tricycle and took a test run, then from there innovations took on until what we see today

John Boyd Dunlop (5 February 1840 – 23 October 1921) was a Irish Scottish-born inventor and veterinary surgeon who spent most of his career in Ireland. Familiar with making rubber devices, he re-invented pneumatic tyres for his child's tricycle and developed them for use in cycle racing. He sold his rights to the pneumatic tyres to a company he formed with the president of the Irish Cyclists' Association, Harvey Du Cros, for a small cash sum and a small shareholding in their pneumatic tyre business. Dunlop withdrew in 1896. The company that bore his name, Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Company, was not incorporated until later using the name well known to the public, but it was Du Cros's creation.

TYPES OF TYRES

Cross ply or bias ply areTyres where the fabric cords run from one bead to another at an angle with respect to the center line of the tyre are called cross ply or bias ply tyres

Radial tyres are the mostly used, they don't have belts that cross over each other like cross ply tyres do. Here, parallel plies radiate from one bead to another. They are softer and offer a more comfortable ride. As the ride is soft the sidewalls are weak and there is no directional stability, and so stiff belts of steel or fabric run around the circumference of the tyre between the plies and the tread.

Tube;Tube tyres have an inner tube in between the rim and the tyre. It's this tube which has the air filled in it. When the tyre is punctured, it's the tube which loses air immediately and the tyre goes flat. This tube is doughnut-shaped and made of rubber. It has a valve which protrudes through a hole in the rim. To repair a punctured tube, it has be taken off from the tyre and rim completely. If a nail punctures the tyre tread, then the tube could have multiple punctures as the tube gets deflated and rotates within the tyre

Tubeless;

Tubeless tyres work by sealing the spoke well of the rim, either with a specially designed rim and spokes, or with a butyl/plastic strip. The valve is either a separate item sealed with an 'O' ring or part of the rim strip. The tyre is also air tight, this can be done either by adding rubber to the tyre material, or more commonly by coating the inside of the casing with Butyl rubber.

Tubeless tyres deflate slowly rather than suffering from a blow out, which for some drivers improves the safety and reliability of the tyres

please note; in regards of this picture its not promoting any brand but is used as illustration

SOME TYRE DEFECTS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Tyres serve many functions on a vehicle, they provide easy cruise for vehicle to move along the road. Properly maintained and effective tyres help cars avoid accidents and breakdowns. Tires also have impact fuel efficiency and vehicle maneuvering. Tires may improve everything from steering to stopping.

Tyre Defects

Major tyre defects can lead to tread separation, blowouts, and rim defects.

Tread Separation: When a tyre is manufactured defectively, the tread can separate. When this occurs at high speeds,the tyre blows or tear then the vehicle can roll over because the driver loses the ability to control the vehicle with the damaged tyre.

Tyre Blowout: tyre blowout can be caused by inferior material used to manufacture the tyre. Another common problem associated with tyre blowouts is over or under inflation of the tyre.

Tyre Explosion: Tyres have exploded in the midst of changing the tires. This defect is associated with tyres that have been temporarily fixed with a tire sealant.

HOW TO SPOT DEFECTS IN TYRES

sometimes its hard to spot, but always look at your tyres before you drive, check for signs of cracks in tyres, if you notice any uneven place its a defect, check to see if theres a bubble, bubble are mainly caused when a pot-hole is jumped at high speeds, if a tyre has a bubble its time to change it, because at high speed the temperature of the tyre rises thereby causing the bubbled area to blow, also check for nail punctures that are not leaking yet and fix it

DISADVANTAGES AND ADVANTAGES OF BUYING USED TYRES OR RE-TREADS

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF USING USED TYRES AND RETREADED TYRES

Advantages

Best and cheap pricing - Used tyres come with much lower prices than a new set, even if the used set is in great condition. This leaves the driver free to pursue paying for extras like alignment and balancing that will make tires last even longer on the road.

Buying used tyres well is part of a greater plan for some drivers. Economical drivers will often get good at inspecting used tyres to make sure they get great deals that won't compromise their safety on the road. Buying used also helps cut down on waste; if everybody simply bought new, there would be a glut of perfectly good tyres laying around.

If inspected well, used tyres can last longer than expected

Disadvantages

Uneven wear - If the previous owner of the vehicle is not aware about maintaining their tyre sets, you may see a slopy tread which is caused by lack of alignment. Some of these can be evident, but others can be pretty hard to spot. Look for wear in the inside or outside grooves of a tire to be sure it is in good condition.

Patches - Some used tyres for sale at the less honorable used tyre shops can be practically worn out with prior patching, bubbles or thin spots. Some of these tyres are almost like seives. Check out tires thoroughly and use visual practice to get good at spotting second-hand damage.

Tough Purchasing Conditions - The above tips are great when you are able to physically visit a store location to look at your used tyres, but in an online sale, such as gumtree or olx, it's not possible to really thoroughly inspect the tires prior to buying, so it's a good idea to avoid any used tire sale where the goods are not on display for you to take a look at. In this case, it's much better to go with a lower-rates set of new tyres, and rely on good maintenance and warranty protection to get more mileage out of one set, so that you don't have to spend all of that money all over again.

Keep the above in mind when looking for used tyres. Remember that used tyres can be a great bargain, but they are only as valuable as the safety that they provide on the road. Used tires that are free of wear problems and have lots of tread can be real money savers, but always educate yourself on how to spot wear, tear, and take a look at any relevant recall information.

Questions you should ask yourself when upgrading to 4x4 mud terrain tyres

Asking The Right Questions For Your Tyre Upgrade?

Are you planning to buy new set of all terrains or mud tyres for pickup 4x4? Ask yourself these few sets of questions.

1. What type of off road use will your vehicle see? Mud? Rocks? Sand? Wooded trails that have a variety of terrain?  Will you need Mud Terrain or do you want All Terrain tyres?
2. Do you use your vehicle daily or are you a weekend warrior?  Does your car see a lot of highway miles between off-road events? If your budget allows, how about two sets? a daily driver set and a set of serious Mud Terrain Tyres?
     
3. What's the maximum size that will fit my vehicles or do I need a lift?  Is a lift part of the tire upgrade package?  Should I consider a tyre that requires the lift and do i lift now rather than buying a set of tyres that fit now, only to spend more money later on the taller tyres? these tyres make noise on the road, how can i compensate?
4. What sort of an effect will taller tires have on my gear ratios on the highway and on my crawl ratio off road?  Will I need to install lower differential gears in order to compensate for the taller tyres?
5. What is the budget?  Will I be factoring in a full size spare tyre

How To READ your Tire Size

When you see something like 215/60R15
215 is the width of the tyre in millimetres.
60 is the aspect ratio or tyre profile.
R means it is radial construction(most tyres are radial)
15 is the diameter of the wheel rim in inches.

What's a tyre's profile?

Tyre profile is the hieght of the sidewall (the wall at the side of the tyre). The profile is expressed as a percentage of the tyre's width. Eg. 215/60R15 tyre has a profile or sidewall that is 60% of the 215mm (width). A low profile tyre is generally 50% or below, down to as little as 30% with ultra low profile tyres. Spot or high performance vehicles are mostly fitted with tyres that have lower profiles.

Low profile tyres give you greater control and better handling on corners, they can give a slight hard time ride. Also, going to a lower profile on the same size wheels will alter your speedometer reading so you'll need to fix that up before you hit the road. There are as many considerations when it comes to choice of tyres

What is Speed Rating?

speed rating is how fast the tyre can gothe higher the number the faster(in plain and simple english)

but the manufacturers dont always guarantee that. because it doesnt mean that low numbers are low on speeds