As the weather becomes more variable, you might find yourself in need of a new set of tires. Don't know what all of those letters and numbers on the sides of tires mean? Here's a handy guide to decode the sidewall and find the best tire for your car. TYPES OF TIRESAll-season: Best for year-round traction, ride comfort and long tread life.
Winter: Great traction in snow and ice but less traction in other types of weather.
Performance all- season: Better handling than all-season, but a more comfortable ride than performance tires.
High- performance: Superior grip in wet or dry conditions, but usually has a shorter life span and harsher ride than other types. Not a good choice for snowy climes.
Light truck: A good choice for all-around use.
All-terrain: Best for venturing off-road.
SIZE MATTERSThe tire size is expressed in a series of numbers and letters, such as
P235/70R16
P Passenger car, but commonly seen on crossover utility vehicles and minivans. Other prefixes: "LT" for a light-truck tire and "T" for a temporary spare.
235 Width of the tire in millimeters.
70 Ratio of the sidewall height to the tire's width, which is 70 percent. Sportier tires have a lower ratio.
R Radial construction. A "D" indicates bias-ply construction.
16 Wheel's diameter in inches. Sizes range from 8 inches to 28 inches.
LOAD INDEX AND SPEED RATINGLocated after the tire size is a code such as 104S, which can contain any number between 71 and 110.
The number specifies the weight that can be safely carried.
71: 761 pounds
80: 992 pounds
90: 1,323 pounds
100: 1,764 pounds
104: 1,984 pounds
110: 2,337 pounds
The letter denotes maximum sustainable speed:
M: 81 mph
N: 87 mph
Q: 99 mph
R: 106 mph
S: 112 mph
T: 118 mph
H: 130 mph
V: 149 mph
Z: more than 149 mph
In addition, Z-rated tires will also have a letter diameter size to specify the tire's top speed:
W: 168 mph
Y: 186 mph
HOW GOOD ARE THEY?Tires have ratings on them, but they are manufacturer-supplied, so you can only use them to compare tires within the same brand.
Tread-wear rating runs from 300 to 540, describing life of tire. The higher the number, the better.
Traction and temperature scores range from AA (best) to C (worst) and rate foul weather traction and temperature resistance, which can indicate a higher-quality tire.
Maximum pressure is listed for maximum safe pressure when hot, measured in pounds per square inch. This is not the recommended tire pressure. That is specified by the auto manufacturer and is located on a placard on the driver's-side door jamb.
TIRE DATEA tire marked 0412 was made in the fourth week of 2012. Make sure the tire you're buying is no more than one or two years old.
