Has the time come to finally replace the tires on your vehicle, but you're not sure what type of tire you need? If so, it helps to know the following thing about buying the right type of tires.

Know the Right Tire Size

The first step will be to find the right size tires for your vehicle. The best way to do this is to check the tires themselves for a number that is printed onto the sidewall. You'll typically see a number that is in the format of something that looks like P255/50/R16, which is telling you multiple things about the tire itself. 

The first letter stands for the service type, which could be a passenger or truck tire. The first three-digit set of numbers is the width of the wire in millimeters. The two-digit number after the slash is the aspect ratio of the tire, which stands for the width and height. The letter that follows is for the construction of the tire, with R being common and standing for radial construction. The final number is for the rim diameter of the tire in inches. 

This will be the set of numbers you need to find new tires that are the right size. 

Know About the Uniform Tire Quality Grade

Most tires are going to have a uniform tire quality grade, also known as U.T.Q.G. This rating helps you compare treadwear, temperature, and traction, since you will otherwise have trouble telling the difference from one tire to the other. The U.T.Q.G. is a three-digit number that is followed by two sets of letters. 

For example, you may see a tire with a rating of 500 AA B. That first number identifies the treadwear, which tells you the longevity of the tire in terms of its durability. A high number relates to a tire lasting longer. The first set of numbers stands for the traction rating, which can be either AA, A, B, or C. However, a summer tire being rated as a AA doesn't mean that it will perform well in the winter. The traction rating is for how well the tire's traction is in the conditions it is designed to work in.

The last letter set is the temperature rating and can either be A, B, or C. This identifies if the tire is able to work well at higher speeds without failing. An A rating is the best rating you can get, and a C is the lowest rating. 

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