Tire Basics

When you purchase a new set of tires, you may notice a small red or yellow painted dots on the sidewall near the letters and numbers on your tire. What do these yellow and red markings mean? Can you wash these dots off? What if they are in different places on all four of your …

This post answers common concerns about replacing tires, including: There are three conditions that determine when it’s time to replace tires: 3 Tire Tread Tests You Can DIY Check tire tread depth every 3,000 miles (or if it’s easier to remember, do it with every oil change). Here are three ways to quickly get the …

Treadwear ratings help us determine the value of a tire and answer questions like, How long will a tire last? And, Is the tire’s expected life worth its price?  The US Department of Transportation (DOT) established the tire treadwear rating system back in the 1970s to help tire buyers understand the complicated world of passenger …

The ply rating of a tire in the 20th century referred to the layers of cotton fiber stretched within a tire that directly affected the tire’s durability and capability to bear heavier loads. There’s a bit of discourse in the tire community about the term “ply” because it’s a little outdated. Today, advanced engineering allows …

With the average tire life expectancy around 6 years, you’re going to go through several sets of tires throughout your life. You’ve probably wondered … where does all that rubber go? If you buy a new set of tires and still have your old set sitting around, what should you do with them? Can tires …

This tire ratings guide explains what UTQGs mean on tires and answers these questions: What Does UTQG Mean? UTQG stands for Uniform Tire Quality Grading. It is a system developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to help consumers compare the quality of tires. The UTQG rating provides information on a tire’s treadwear, …

This post answers common questions about how to read wheel size and where to find tire sizes.  Why are there so many tire sizes? The variety in vehicle tire sizes stems from the wide range of vehicle types, purposes, and performance requirements. Here are several key reasons why vehicles use different tire sizes and there’s no …

TL;DR Here’s the gist of this post on snow tires SHOP SNOW TIRES NOW Ah, Old Man Winter! As a child, he was a welcomed guest, bringing loads of snow to sled on. As an adult, not so much. Not only does the cold nip at your nose, but the icy, snowy roads are dangerous …

What happens when you’re in a tire quandary and can afford only a Dynamic Duo instead of the Fab Four in new tires? Similarly, if you need 4 new tires, is it OK to put cheaper tires on the front and better, more expensive ones for the back? This post answers common questions about where …

Welcome to our guide on tire load indexes, a vital but often overlooked aspect of tires. You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for a clear and concise explanation of what load indexes are and why they matter. We’ll also unravel the mystery behind their numeric codes and help you make informed decisions …

This guide does a deep dive into tire speed ratings, to further explain the numbers on the side of your tires. We answer common questions: What does speed rating mean on a tire? How do you know what the speed rating is for your vehicle? What is the most common speed rating for a passenger tire?  …

What Do Tire Sizes Mean? Guide to Understanding Tire Size and Other Codes  Tires have several numbers, letters and symbols on their sidewalls that communicate important information about them. If you don’t know how to speak the tire language, however, the letters don’t mean much. In this post we break down what the tire numbers …