Tyre components

Passenger car tyres are products of complex engineering. They consist of numerous
rubber compounds, many types of carbon black, fillers like silica, and chemicals or
minerals. Find out here how tyres are put together.

A tyre’s components

1. Tread. Made from synthetic and natural rubber, it’s comprised of three sections: the “cap”, which
is responsible for gripping the road and providing directional stability and wear-and-tear resistance,
the “base” which reduces rolling resistance and damage to the casing and the “shoulder” which
forms an optimal transition from the tread to the sidewall.   

2. Jointless cap plies. Found just underneath the outer layer of the tyre, this nylon cord, embedded
in rubber, enhances high-speed suitability. 

3. Steel-cord for belt plies. High-strength steel cords that enhance shape retention and directional
stability. As well as reducing the rolling resistance they help to increase the tyre’s mileage
performance.

4. Textile cord ply. Rayon or rubberized polyester controls the internal pressure and maintain’s the
tyre’s shape.

5. The inner liner, made from butyl rubber, seals the air-filled inner chamber and acts as a tube in
tubeless tyres.

6. The side wall protects the casing from external damage and atmospheric conditions. Information
about the tyre can also be found on the side wall.

7. Bead reinforcement, made from nylon and aramid fibres, enhance directional stability and ensure
steering precision.

8. Bead apex. This synthetic, rubber material also enhances directional stability and steering
precision while improving comfort.

9. Bead core. This steel wire, embedded in rubber, ensures that the tyre sits firmly on its rim.
Tire Size Explained: Reading the Sidewall
Tire size can be confusing. Some numbers on the sidewall are listed in metric while others are in
inches. Plus, the right size for your car, truck or trailer can differ depending on tire use and your
driving habits.

You can see your original equipment tire size in your owner’s manual. This is the sizing
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.

If you’re interested in switching out your tires for a different look or performance need, a good
place to start is to look at the codes on your existing tires’ sidewall. Then have a tire professional
help you determine a tire size range that will fit your vehicle and driving goals.

Here’s an explainer on what all the sidewall numbers and letters mean.

Tire Size Meanings

A: TIRE TYPE The first letter in the code tells you what class of tire it is.

P stands for passenger vehicle tire. P-class tires include cars, SUVs, crossovers, minivans and
smaller pickup trucks.

LT means light truck tire, designed for vehicles that are towing trailers or have ¾- and 1-ton load
capacity.

ST stands for Special Trailer. These tire sizes are meant for trailers, including fifth wheels and other
travel trailers, boat trailers and utility trailers.

If there’s no letter before the first number, you have a metric tire most commonly referred to as
European size. It’s also measured in millimeters but may have different load capacity than a P or
LT tire.
B: TIRE WIDTH The three-digit number following the letter is the tire’s width (from side to side,
looking at the tire head on) in millimeters. Also called the section width, this measurement is taken
from outer sidewall to inner sidewall.

C: ASPECT RATIO The forward slash separates the tire width number from the two-digit aspect
ratio. The bigger the aspect ratio, the higher/taller the tire’s sidewall, or “profile” as it’s sometimes
called.

The aspect ratio is a percentage. It’s the height of the sidewall measured from wheel rim to top of
the tread, expressed as a percentage of tire width. In other words, it’s sidewall height divided by tire
width.

In this example, the aspect ratio is 65, meaning the sidewall is 65 percent as high as the tire is wide.
To get the sidewall height, take the tire width of 215 mm and convert it to inches (8.46). Then
multiply this by .65 and you get 5.5 inches, the sidewall height in inches.

D: CONSTRUCTION TYPE This single letter tells you about the internal construction of the tire.

R is for radial tires, the industry standard for most tires today. They have better road grip, lower
rolling resistance for better gas mileage, ride comfort and durability than previous generations of
tires. In a radial tire, the plies — layers of strong cords made of a blend of polyester, steel and fabric
and coated with rubber — are laid perpendicular to the direction of travel.

D is for tires built with diagonal (crisscrossed) plies, called bias-constructed tires. They are also
called conventional, x-ply, or cross-ply tires. Some motorcycle and trailer tires still use this internal
construction.
Some run-flat tires are identified with an F followed by the type of internal construction.

E: WHEEL DIAMETER This two-digit number specifies wheel diameter in inches, how wide the
wheel is across the center. It’s the distance between the two bead seat areas (where a tire gets
slotted and tightly sealed onto the wheel).

F: LOAD INDEX The two-digit or three-digit number that follows the gap specifies tire load
index. The load index symbol indicates how much weight a tire can support, based on the following
standard chart. In our example, the load index is 89, which indicates the tire has a load capacity of
1,279 pounds.

G: SPEED RATING The last letter is the speed rating, which tells you the top speed it’s safe to
travel at for a sustained amount of time. A tire with a higher speed rating can handle heat better and
provide more control at faster speeds. The maximum operating speed of a vehicle is no more than
the lowest speed rating of all tires mounted on the vehicle. (Of course, you should always abide by
speed limits for safer driving.) Speed rating is usually, but not always, a single letter (see the chart).

LOAD INDEX
LOAD INDEX LOAD (lbs) LOAD INDEX LOAD (lbs) LOAD INDEX LOAD (lbs)

65 639 94 1477 123 3417

66 661 95 1521 124 3527

67 677 96 1565 125 3638

68 694 97 1609 126 3748

69 716 98 1653 127 3858

70 739 99 1709 128 3968

71 761 100 1764 129 4079

72 783 101 1819 130 4189

73 805 102 1874 131 4299

74 827 103 1929 132 4409

75 853 104 1984 133 4541

76 882 105 2039 134 4674

77 908 106 2094 135 4806

LOAD INDEX LOAD (lbs) LOAD INDEX LOAD (lbs) LOAD INDEX LOAD (lbs)

78 937 107 2149 136 4938

79 963 108 2205 137 5071

80 992 109 2271 138 5203

81 1019 110 2337 139 5357

82 1047 111 2403 140 5512

83 1074 112 2469 141 5677

84 1102 113 2535 142 5842

85 1135 114 2601 143 6008

86 1168 115 2679 144 6173

87 1201 116 2756 145 6393

88 1235 117 2833 146 6614

89 1279 118 2910 147 6779

90 1323 119 2998 148 6944

91 1356 120 3086 149 7165

92 1389 121 3197 150 7385

93 1433 122 3307    

SPEED RATING
  SPEED SYMBOL SPEED (mph)
  A1 3
  A2 6
  A3 9
  A4 12
  A5 16
  A6 19
  A7 22
  A8 25
  B 31
  C 37
  D 40
  E 43
  F 50
  G 56
   SPEED SYMBOL SPEED (mph)
  J 62
  K 68
  L 75
  M 81
  N 87
  P 93
  Q 99
  R 106
  S 112
  T 118
  U 124
  H 130
  V 149
W 168
ZR* Y 186
(Y) Above 186

*For tires having a maximum speed capability above 149 mph, a ZR may appear in the size
designation... above 186 mph, a ZR must appear in the size designation, including a Y speed
symbol in brackets.

Buying New Wheels or Changing Your Tire Size?

A tire size calculator is a quick way to see whether the tire size you’re considering will likely fit
your car, SUV, sports car, light truck or crossover.

But remember that will give you just an estimate. It’s important to stay within the sizing tolerances
of your vehicle. Tires that are the wrong size could cause pull in the steering wheel, rub against the
suspension or auto body, reduce clearance on hills or result in a stiffer or noisier ride than you
expected.

If you’re considering mounting a different tire size on your vehicle, check with a tire expert. Find
out whether the tires and wheels you have your eye on are the right fit for your vehicle’s
suspension, gearing and bodywork. And ask how any differences in revolutions per mile, tire speed,
load index and speed rating will affect your ride quality and vehicle performance.

See how new tires and rims will look on your car or truck using our Virtual Wheels simulator,
available at any Les Schwab.
Tyre Upsizing: A Quick & Complete Guide
For Beginners
 By Team Tyremarket.com

The tyre upsizing seems like a buzz word but it is not. Simply put, when you upgrade your current
set of wheels either by putting wider tyre or bigger wheel, it is known as upsizing. Though it looks
easy when you actually go down to do the upsizing you need to take care of a number of factors.
As any change in the tyre is directly linked to your safety and performance of your vehicle.

Types of tyre upsizing

There are two ways by which you can perform the tyre upsizing.

1. When the wheel or alloy is kept the same and the tyre is replaced by broader or fatter tyres.
2. When you upgrade the complete wheel or alloy along with its tyres to a bigger set of wheels
and wider tyres.

In your efforts of upsizing, you need to be extremely cautious about the overall diameter of the tyre
getting affected. Because, if the tyres are not proportionate, it may lead to severe damage to you as
well as your vehicle. The overall diameter should not go beyond 3 percent of the company provided
wheel size.

Things to know about the overall diameter of a tyre

You need to understand, what is an overall diameter (OD) of a tyre before you proceed for the tyre
upsizing task. The overall diameter of a tyre is calculated from the outer surface of the tyre. Any
alteration to the diameter has a direct, adverse impact on the vehicle’s gearing, steering response,
suspension, handling, odometer reading and lastly its fuel mileage.
The thumb rule for tyre upsizing is, the wider the tyre the smaller is the sidewall so that the balance
is maintained between the two. The good thing about upsizing is that it increases the visual appeal
of the wheels manifold. However, on the flip side, the shorter sidewall has lower shock absorption
capability compared to higher sidewalls. With lesser rubber area to flex, the ride on rough surfaces
or uneven turfs becomes uncomfortable due to road bumps filtering directly into the cabin.

 How to read a tyre

Before you go for upsizing, first you need to know what the figures on your tyre read and mean.
You can easily find some alphanumeric text in big fonts on the sidewall of your vehicle’s tyre. Let’s
take an example of Maruti Suzuki S-Presso’s tyre which reads 145/80 R 13 75S. Here is what it
means.

Full Detail is here  – How To Read A Car Tyre?

It is the width of the tyre usually measured in millimetres.

145 This is the portion of the tyre which is in contact with the
surface.
This is the height of the sidewall and is the percentage of the
tread width. In this case, it is 80 percent of the tread width. It
80 is also termed as the aspect ratio. In upsizing, the wider tyre
should have lower sidewalls to keep proportions of the tyre in
check.
It was meant to denote the radial construction of the tyres.
R Now, most cars and utility vehicles come with factory-fitted
radial tyres.
This is the size of the rim and is measured in inches. It is
13
basically the diameter of the wheel on which the tyre is fitted.
These numbers are the load index of a tyre that indicate its
75
safe weight carrying capacity.
The speed rating of the tyre. Mentioned in the alphabet
(alphanumeric in some cases) they signify different speeds at
S
which the vehicle can be driven. Here, ‘S’ stands for the
highest speed of 180 km/hr with recommended tyre pressure.

 Let’s dive deep into types of tyre upsizing

Only tyre upsize, no wheel or alloy

If you wish to upsize only the tyre and not the wheel or alloy, the safest option should be to go for a
20 mm rise in width over the currently fitted tyres in your vehicle. For instance, let’s consider a
tyre of size 185/65 R 15. A bump of 20 mm would increase its width from 185 mm to 205 mm,
which should work just fine with the SUV.

Now, as a thumb rule, the sidewall height should drop by 5 percent for every 10 mm increase in the
width. For instance, here we are increasing the width by 20 mm so the percentage of drop would be
10 percent. Hence, in our case, the 65 percent aspect ratio now drops to 55 percent.

As we didn’t tweak the radial construction nor the rim size, rest other details remain the same. The
figures of the newly added tyre now read 205/55 R 15.

Going by the equation of not going beyond the 3 percent of the original overall diameter, let’s see
how much percent of alteration is done to the original tyre. The new overall diameter now reads
23.88-inch whereas the stock one read 24.47-inch; so the difference between the two is of 2.4
percent – well below the intended 3 percent mark. This makes for a safe upsizing.

Going for bigger wheels/alloys

If you want to upsize the whole wheel or alloy setup, the same rule of 3 percent applies here as
well. For instance, you are considering to upsize a tyre of 185/65 R 15 measurement to 16 inches,
then going for a wheel with 205/55 R 16 should be the ideal one. As we know the stock overall
diameter was 24.47 inch, after calculating the value in inches for the new wheel we reach to a
conclusion of 24.87 inches – 0.40-inches more than the stock one. When converting, it comes as 1.6
percent of variation compared to the stock tyre. Falling under the recommended percent of 3, the
205/55 R 16 falls in the safe category of upsizing.

Though it’s a subjective decision to upsize the tyres of your vehicle, they at times become necessary
due to manufacturer providing very slim/puny tyres to save costs. Let’s have a look at the benefits
one gets post upsizing.

What are the merits of Upsizing?

1. Increased grip, traction and braking: The instant and most obvious benefit that you get
with upsizing is better grip as you get increased contact with the turf due to fatter tyres.
Moreover, the increased rubber also offers better traction and better braking.
2. Spot on cornering: Since the fatter tyres have low sidewalls, the bumpy effect of the
vehicle due to tyres is controlled to a great degree, giving you excellent experience while
cornering.
3. Jazzed up looks: The most common reason for upsizing is for the looks and it certainly
elevates the appearance of the vehicle.

What are the demerits of Upsizing?

1. Wet is a deterrent: With wider tyres having bigger contact patches, the tyre may be
subjected to hydroplaning unless it is a wet tyre.
2. Heavier steering: Going for broader tyres means putting the steering to additional stress.
3. Low Mileage: In most cases, bigger tyres have reported to bring down the fuel efficiency of
the vehicle as the same engine has to now drag a heavier vehicle.

Tyre Speed Rating Chart

Do you like to drive your car/vehicle at high speeds on long drives? If yes, then you must also be
aware of the top speed of your car, of course, you must be. However, just like a car, do you know
even tyres come with a maximum speed limit.
A tyre specification is mentioned on the sidewall of a tyre. Being a vehicle owner it is essential to
know what this ‘195/55 R16 87V’ stands for. If we take the aforesaid tyre spec as an instance,
usually most Indians will be able to recognize the width, height, rim diameter and load aspect, but
may not easily state what the alphabet (‘V’) at the last notifies. This is actually the top speed of a
tyre known as ‘tyre speed rating’. Every alphabet has got a speed hidden behind it. Same way, the
“V” rating mentioned here denotes that this tyre can reach the speeds of up to 240 km/hr.

LOAD RATING
Load Load Load Load
Load in kg Load in kg Load in kg Load in kg
Index Index Index Index
62 265 79 437 96 710 113 1150
63 272 80 450 97 730 114 1180
64 280 81 462 98 750 115 1215
65 290 82 475 99 775 116 1250
66 300 83 487 100 800 117 1285
67 307 84 500 101 825 118 1320
68 315 85 515 102 850 119 1360
69 325 86 530 103 875 120 1400
70 335 87 545 104 900 121 1450
71 345 88 560 105 925 122 1500
72 355 89 580 106 950 123 1550
73 365 90 600 107 975 124 1600
74 375 91 615 108 1000 125 1650
75 387 92 630 109 1030 126 1700
76 400 93 650 110 1060
77 412 94 670 111 1090
78 425 95 690 112 1120

About Tyre Speed Ratings

Depending upon the different width, height, diameter and load, tyres are provided with relative
speed ratings. These speed ratings are based on laboratory tests conducted by the engineers who run
the tyre at about 10 km/hr steps, in 10-minute increments, until the requisite speed has been met.

When Is Speed Rating Applicable

The speed rating awarded by the original equipment manufacturer only applies to a tyre, when it is
not damaged, altered, under-inflated or overloaded. Likewise, many of the tyre makers maintain
that a tyre no longer preserves the tyre manufacturer’s original speed rating if it has witnessed a cut
or puncture, though it has been repaired.

Given below are the speed ratings which you can check on a tyre before buying a new set of wheels
for your car.

Tyre Speed Rating Table Speed in Kilometer per Hour

A1 5

A2 10
A3 15

A4 20

A5 25

A6 30

A7 35

A8 40

B 50

C 60

D 65

E 70

F 80

G 90

J 100

K 110

L 120

M 130

N 140

P 150

Q 160

R 170

S 180

T 190

U 200

H 210

V 240

W 270

Y 300

VR >210

ZR >240
How is the speed rating calculated?

Speed ratings are based on laboratory tests in which the tyre is run at 6.2 mph steps, in 10 minute
increments, until the required speed has been met. To receive its rating it must demonstrate that it
can sustain a particular speed when tested with simulated loads.

The speed rating is represented by a letter – A being the lowest and Y being the highest. As you
will see on the chart below, there are some anomalies as car manufacturers have increases the
speeds of their vehicles and speed ratings have been introduced to match them.

Most common tyre speed ratings, speeds and vehicle usage

Are speed ratings just about speed?

No. They’re also about ride comfort, traction, tread wear and cornering ability. A higher speed
rating generally offers better grip and stopping power, but it may have a lower tread life and
reduced performance in cold weather. That’s why V, Z, W and Y-rated tyres are usually better
suited to high performance vehicles in warmer climates.

You can increase the speed rating of your vehicle’s tyres for improved performance, but can never
decrease it without reducing the vehicle’s top speed to that of the lower speed rating selected.

Can I mix speed ratings on my vehicles tyres?

If you are going to mix speed ratings, which we don’t recommend, make sure the lower rated tyres
are on the front axle, regardless of whether your vehicle is front-, rear- or four-wheel drive. This is
to prevent a potential oversteer scenario. Bear in mind that all tyres must be appropriate for the
vehicle and you should drive no faster than your lowest rated tyres. 

We would always recommend that the same size and type of tyre, with the same speed ratings, are
fitted on all tyres.
Tyres & Wheels: Understanding What Lies
Beneath
What Are Tyres?
A vehicle that stands upright on the circular, ring-like thing, which is also the only contact of the
vehicle with the ground, found mostly in black colour, is known as a tyre (or tire). Fitted on the
round metal rim, tyres are usually filled with compressed air and nowadays with nitrogen too. An
ideal tyre is expected to deliver certain aspects such as durability, grip, comfort, and overall cost.
The integration of all these vital characteristics in a tyre makes it one of the most complex products
to design and develop.

Just like a smartphone, tyres too, during their making, go through a great amount of R&D, testing
and simulation procedures. Besides, natural rubber forming the basis of a tyre other essential
components used in the making of a tyre includes fabric, steel wires, silica, synthetic rubber, carbon
black, etc. The tyres are found on various motorized and non-motorized vehicles right from bicycles
to aircraft.

Recommended – What is  Radial vs Bias Tyres

Categorization Of Tyres By Construction

In general terms, the tyres are classified into tube type (the ones with tube) and tubeless (the ones
without tube) tyres. Moreover, as per their capability and carcass structure, the construction of
tyres is broadly characterized into three main types – radial ply, cross-ply or bias-ply and belted-
bias ply.

Cross-ply or bias-ply

Seen seldom, cross-ply or bias-ply tyres were found on yesteryear passenger cars and vans. Its
construction comprised of a series of ply cords placed at 30-40 degree angles in a criss-cross
pattern, which forms a frame (carcass) and above it rubber is integrated that forms a tyre. The cross-
ply tyres possess rigid sidewalls that offer less comfort, while high friction levels result in low fuel
efficiency.

Radial ply

The modern-day four-wheeler tyres, especially passenger car tyres, majorly come with radial ply
construction. These highly advanced tyres see ply cords running at 90 degrees in the radial direction
instead of criss-cross design as seen in bias/cross-ply tyres. Due to their soft sidewall, they offer
more flexibility and absorb road surface undulation more effectively.

Belted-bias ply

A blend of radial-ply and cross/bias-ply construction is known as belted-bias ply construction.

Manufactured similar to the cross/bias-ply tyre pattern, these tyres have stabilizer belts above the
regular tyre ply. The stabilizer belts are made of steel or other corded substance and are employed
at different angles to the plies providing extra support to the inner material that bond with the tread.

What Are Wheels?

In simple terms, a round object with a hub and an axle, which also includes tyre sometimes, is
called a wheel. Not to mix with ‘tyre’, a tyre is the rubber part of a wheel or rim that is in direct
contact with the surface. Besides aesthetic elegance, the rim or wheel also play a vital role with
respect to overall stability, comfort and performance of the vehicle.

Wheels come in two variations i.e. steel and alloy. The steel wheels have silver or black paint and
are quite plain in terms of design. Moreover, the alloy wheels are of aluminium metal and are
offered in an extensive and appealing range of paint finishes, designs and sizes. The stylish looking
aluminium alloys are more robust and lightweight than steel wheels. Also, the alloys are strong
enough to sustain any accidental impact without deformation or bend and are rust-free. Whereas,
steel wheels bend easily and require more maintenance.

What Is Tyre Alignment & Tyre Balancing?

Tyre alignment and tyre balancing are also known as wheel alignment and wheel balancing.
Although tyre balancing and tyre alignment are different from each other, however most of the
times they are mixed up with each other. Be it enhanced life or optimum performance of your tyres,
both the services are necessary from time to time. Wheel alignment should be performed as and
when needed, while wheel balancing is a task to be carried out regularly.

Wheel Alignment

In addition to extended life and uniform wear of a tyre, the tyre alignment or wheel alignment
service also aids in enhanced handling. Alongside, it also evades your car from uninvited troubles
such as dragging in one direction or juddering oddly on the road. Primarily, alignment is more or
less the adjustment of a car’s suspension. The suspension forms the connection between the car and
its wheels and ensures ride comfort and vehicle stability. Hence, it’s not merely the adjustment of
tyres, but the adjustment of the angles of the tyres via suspension, which comes into contact with
the surface.

Signs that indicate the need for tyre alignment

There are more than one ways to check if your car tyre requires tyre alignment service. If you
observe any of these signs, you need alignment check-up of your tyre at once.

The first and foremost thing you need to check is the wearing of the tread. Is it uniform or uneven?
Uniform wear will see even wear all across the tread, while partial wear of the tread at one side and
comparatively lesser wear on the other indicate uneven wear. Others symptoms include the car
pulling in either direction (left/right), steering wheel not in the centre even while driving straight,
vibration feels on the steering, etc.

When tyre alignment becomes a must

Premature and uneven wearing of a tyre happens due to improper wheel or misalignment of the
tyre. Some of the key factors that contribute to the undue tread wear comprise of feathering, camber
wear, heel/toe wear.

Feathering

Feathering at the tyre tread can be witnessed when the tread is as smooth as “feather” on one side
and looks unused or sharp on the other side. This is a symptom of poor toe alignment in a tyre.

Camber wear
More than recommended or excessive inward or outward lean angle from the centre line of the tyre
is known as negative and positive camber, which reflects improper alignment. Camber wear is the
damage done at the inside or outside of the tread. Here one of either side is extensively more worn
against the centre of the tread. Be it positive or negative camber, both result in this type of wear.

Heel/Toe wear

Heel or toe wear happens when one side of the lug or blocks at the tread observe faster wear
compared to the other side circumferentially and appears like saw teeth. The causes of this damage
can be (a) no timely rotation of tyres (b) under inflation, overload (c) abrupt braking and quick
acceleration.

Recommended –  7 Tyre Maintenance Tips To Help You Save Money

Wheel Balancing
Though sounds similar, but tyre balancing aka wheel balancing is different from tyre alignment.
The process of tyre balancing involves equalization of the combined weight of tyre and wheel
assembly to ensure a smooth high-speed run. Performed alongside tyre alignment, this balancing act
is done by placing the tyre and wheel assembly on a balancer. The balancing equipment centres the
wheel and rotates it to establish where the weight should go. Basically, there are two kinds of
tyre/wheel imbalances – static (single plane) and dynamic (dual plane).

Static balancing is intended towards addressing balance on only a single plane i.e. the vertical
movement which may cause vibration. Moreover, the dynamic imbalance, gets the balance sorted
on two planes i.e. vertical movement and lateral movement. Again, just as static balance, to address
this kind of imbalance a balancing machine is needed.

So, in a nutshell, similar to tyre/wheel alignment, tyre balancing is also essential in order to avoid
faster tread wear and ensure improved tread life. Under India-specific conditions, it is
recommended to perform the tyre/wheel alignment and balancing roughly at every 7,500 – 10,000
kilometres.

Rim Size V. Tyre Size: The Correlation

To enhance the performance and looks of your vehicle you want to increase its width. However,
once you reach the local market or surf over the internet you find there are numerous tyre and rim
options available. And every tyre size is designed to fit specific rim size, which means all tyres
won’t fit all rims. After knowing all this, it may put you in a discouraging situation. Although it
may seem like an uphill task, to begin with, once you are familiar with how to measure rim and tyre
size, you can see them work in tandem.

Rim size

Usually, when you say 15-inch or 16-inch tyre, it’s not exactly the tyre size you utter, but
technically the rim size of a tyre. The hollow space in the centre of the tyre is where the steel or
alloy wheel is placed is called rim. The rim is measured in inches from the top of the rim straight
across to the bottom. As per the make and variants of a car, manufacturers shod and offer the same
car with separate rim size options.

Tyre size

There are three main attributes that comprise a tyre size;

(a) Width of the tyre, which refers to the broadness of the tyre.

(b) Height aka aspect ratio is the height of tyre sidewall to its width.

(c) The diameter of the tyre’s inner circumference measured in inches.

The tyre dimensions are marked or embossed on the tyre sidewall. The alphanumeric imprints are
separated by forwarding slashes. The letters are mostly marked in black colour and are rarely seen
in white. For instance, a tyre with 205/55 R 16 marking means it possesses a width of 205 mm,
while the sidewall height i.e. 55 is the percentage of the total width of the tyre. Moreover, the letter
R indicates construction type, which is ‘radial’ and 16 is given in inches, which means 16-inch rim
will be the best fit for this tyre.

Likewise, there are tyres of particular rim size that can be fitted to some other rim sizes too, besides
the given, but not all. Hence, you cannot fit tyres of any size to any rim size, as there is completely
different mathematics behind it, which we covered earlier in Tyre Upsizing – A Quick & Complete
Guide For Beginners. Instead of drawing to an abrupt conclusion in haste with respect to choosing
the right tyre and rim size you can always contact any reliable tyre expert for help and suggestions.

How Rim & Tyre Ensure Smooth Ride Quality

On one hand, ideal tyre and rim size can assure you smooth running and optimal overall
performance. While on the other side, incorrect pairing can impact the fuel economy, comfort and
noise levels drastically, as both are interlinked with each other quite closely.

So, if you are mulling over to change the size of your rims/wheels (upsizing), you will be required
to alter the size of the existing tyre too. You need to choose the right rim/wheel and tyre ratio
carefully to ascertain that the overall diameter of the rim/wheel and tyre combination remains
unchanged. Or else, the odometer and speedometer settings and other performance-related aspects
will get affected badly. In order to prevent any hassle or breakdown when on the road you should
go through this helpful link Tyre Upsizing – A Quick & Complete Guide For Beginners   for better
understanding.

During upsizing when the tyre sidewall height sees a cut, performance and comfort are enhanced
and handling/stability too sees an improvement. On a bit downside, the road/tyre noise may become
evident as larger rims call for more NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) levels compared to small rim
tyres. However, the noise aspect may vary from brand to brand and type of tyre you choose for your
vehicle. Remember, that larger wheels/tyres offer exceptional ride quality on highways and longer
routes, while in a city environment smaller or OEM recommended wheels/tyres provide decent
comfort under potholed and rougher road situations.

Large alloy wheel & tyres

The large size alloys with fatter tyres do adorn the presence of the vehicle. But on the flipside
beware of the dripping fuel economy as bigger wheels and bigger tyres consume more energy hence
high rolling resistance. Moreover, the added weight of the large tyre and rim increases the overall
weight of the vehicle thus negatively affecting the efficiency of fuel.

So, prior to swapping your old or under-performing tyre to new ones you need to be specific about
your expectation from the new set of tyres. Because if you are looking for improved handling and
performance, the option of upsizing is open for you, however, if you demand better NVH levels and
comfort alongside better city fuel economy smaller or recommended wheels make sense.
Recommended –  Ultra-High Performance Tyres: Everything You Need To Know

Also, there are scenarios where just by changing the tyre brand and tyre type can get the issues
ironed out without the need of changing tyre size. Leading tyre brands today offer their tyres with a
different set of features from which you can pick the tyre as per your requirement and usage. And
thanks to the digital revolution different kinds of tyres are now available online and are just a click
away.

While making a buying decision, we today have multiple choices and automobiles are no different.
Though factors like price and performance play an important role but look and aesthetics impact
decision making to a large extent especially for automobile enthusiasts. The majority of the auto-
enthusiasts are always yearning to have sporty and unique vehicle charisma. This eagerness at a
time leads to customization and modifications, and ‘tyre upsizing’ is no exception.

Although tyre upsizing gives a vehicle a bold stance but along with the joy of resolute appearance it
also does offer performance drawbacks. Therefore, vehicle owners may like to consider a number
of factors before upsizing their tyres.

Technically, tyre upsizing can be performed in two ways:

#1: Mounting wider tyres while retaining the original wheels

#2: Upgrading to larger wheels and installing wider tyres

 Advantages of Tyre Upsizing

Besides a cosmetic uplift in car’s profile, tyre upsizing brings the following benefits for owners.

Personalization: For many car owners, tyre upsizing is one of the quickest ways to personalise
their vehicle and add oomph to its side profile. In other words, wider tyres make your vehicle look
cool and boost its style quotient.

Greater Stance: Technically, wider tyres offer a larger contact patch generating more grip on the
road. This helps the driver maintain greater control and stability, especially when the vehicle is
cruising at a relatively higher speed.
Safe Breaking: Larger tyres significantly reduce the breaking distances offering better control while
breaking. This also means little or no skid and therefore, more safety.

Easy Cornering: Suspension plays a key role in corning your car. Wider tyres tend to have
slimmer sidewall flex which enables the driver to corner better even when the vehicle is moving at
high speed.
Overall Control: Tyre upsizing enhances the overall performance of a vehicle with regards to its
balance, stability and traction. This can prove to be an asset for vehicles that have understeering or
oversteering nature since wider tyres help the driver balance the vehicle properly thus making the
driving safe and secure.

 Disadvantages of Tyre Upsizing

Despite the aforementioned benefits, tyre upsizing also has a few significant drawbacks that
discourage many car owners.

Higher Cost: Tyre upsizing can be an expensive proposition for some, depending on factors such
as the type of vehicle and tyres used. However, in general, larger wheels and tyres mean more
expenses for the car owner.
Reduced Acceleration: While large wheels and wider tyres mean a great grip on the road, they can
cost vehicle’s performance in terms of affecting its acceleration. Wider tyres add to the overall body
weight of the vehicle thereby increasing the burden on the engine capacity and slowing down its
acceleration.

Weighted Steering: With a larger contact patch, wider tyres and large wheels improve stability.
However, at the same time, they mean a heavy steering, which requires more effort from the driver
to manoeuvre and control the steering. This can cause a significant disadvantage to drivers who
prefer to drive vehicles with a light steering, and in a slow traffic scenario.

Low Fuel Efficiency: Tyre upsizing can also affect the fuel efficiency of a vehicle. With wider
tyres and larger wheels, the car has a better grip on the road, which affects the rolling resistance
negatively. As a result, the car will need more revs to move efficiently, consuming more fuel in the
process.

Wrong Speedometer Reading: Done incorrectly, tyre upsizing can affect the reading in your
vehicle’s speedometer. Car owners must exercise care in choosing the right tyre for upsizing. Tyre
experts recommend upsizing tyres proportionately; meaning the increase in width of tyres should be
equally proportionate to the decrease in tyre’s sidewalls. If the diameter of upsized tyres goes
higher than that of the original tyres, it may affect the reading of the speedometer and hamper the
performance many other modern systems such as ABS, ETC, ESP and TPMS.

Little Driving Comfort: Tyre upsizing can adversely affect the riding quality. With larger wheels
and wider tyres, the length of the sidewalls goes drastically down, leaving little or no sidewall flex
for the wheels to absorb shock on bumpy roads. Hence, this makes riding less comfortable for the
driver and passengers alike.

So, should one upsize or not?

While tyre upsizing is a compelling proposition from the standpoint of a vehicle’s aesthetic appeal,
vehicle owners must factor in a number of aspects related to their regular driving requirements.
Moreover, it is highly recommended that vehicle owners consult professional tyre experts in order
to determine if tyre upsizing is a wide move for them.

How to Calculate Tyre Upsizing?

Tyre size calculator is the key to achieve optimal performance for your vehicle. With the help of
tyre upsizing calculations, the best compatible plus size wheels for your vehicle can be chosen.
There are two ways to do upsizing calculations:

1) Retaining Original Wheels/Alloys:

When you talk of upsizing your car tyres and retaining the original set of wheels, it means that no
modification will be done to the metal portion i.e. the alloy or the rim of the tyre, however, the tyre
will be changed as per the fitment requirement and possibility.

For safe tyre upsizing, you must ensure the OD (overall diameter) of the new tyres remains within
the permissible tolerance, which is only up to 3% of the OD of stock tyre.

For example, if the OD of the stock tyre is 24.47 inches, then the OD of the new tyre should not go
beyond 25.20 inches.

Here’s how to achieve the permissible tolerance.

Tyre Width:

Let’s assume the original tyre size is 185/65 R15 with an OD of 24.47 inches.

So, the width of our stock tyre is 185mm.

For safe upsize, let’s add 20mm to the width of your stock tyre.

So, the width of your new tire should be 205mm.

Sidewall Height:

The sidewall height of our stock tyre is 65% of the thread width.
As per the thumb rule, for every 10mm increase in width of tyre, the sidewall height (or aspect
ratio) should be reduced by 5 percent.

In our example, the sidewall height should be reduced by 10 percent since there was a 20mm
increase in the width of our tyre.

So, the sidewall height of the new tyre should be 55% of the thread width.

Rim Size:

The Rim size or diameter should remain the same. In this example, it is 15 inches.

Therefore, the max upsize for a stock tyre size (185/65 R15) should be 205/55 R15.

2) Upgrading to Larger to Wheels/Alloys:

When you talk of upsizing your car tyres thereby upgrading to a larger set of wheels or alloys, it
means that you are modifying the company fitted  wheels in order to increase its diameter and make
it look more appealing. The tyres of these increased diameter alloys are called low-profile tyres and
are fitted as per the possibility of the gap between the wheels and the vehicle wheel arcs. The above
example image shows how a company fitted alloy wheel is upgraded to a larger wheel that has low-
profile tyres.

If we want to upgrade to a bigger alloy, we still need to stick to the permissible tolerance mentioned
in the previous example.

If we want to upgrade to a 16-inch alloy wheel, then the size of the new tyre should be 205/55 R16,
keeping the OD within 3% permissible tolerance, i.e., 24.47 – 25.20 inches.
What is Tyre Age? Here’s All A Tyre Buyer
Needs To Know
 By Team Tyremarket.com

Read this complete guide on tyre ageing and debunk the common misconceptions which tyre
buyers usually have while buying tyres.  

As a customer, it is natural for us to feel disappointed if the purchased commodity is not as fresh as
it possibly should be from the date of manufacturing. And to its credit, the logic works pretty well
when it comes to perishable goods, especially food items that are bound to become stale and lose
quality and value over passing time. However, the same cannot be said for all products alike. Every
product in all probability would have an expiration date but some might last long and much longer
than others. When it comes to the tyre industry, buying a fresh set of tyres can be an important
aspect to customers but at what point does that desire become paranoia.

Let us break this down into a very simple everyday life example. You go to a grocery store to buy
perishable foodstuffs, which may have an expiry date of 2-3 days to 2-3 weeks from the date of
manufacturing and you would wish to buy them as fresh as possible. However, the same expiry
duration of days, weeks or even months/years is not true for tyres that you purchase. But how far
can you go beyond the manufacturing date when it comes to purchasing a tyre, let’s find out.

How long do the tyres last if not used?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) US, unused tyres are
100% safe depending upon storage and environmental conditions for a period of 6 to 10 years. In
fact, there are many studies that suggest that a tyre can last up to 10 years if checked for safety
issues annually from the 5th year onwards. This clearly indicates that there is a big difference in
treating two different products with the same perspective as a consumer.

But the key statement here is, “depending upon storage and environmental conditions”. As a
customer, it is important to be aware of the product you purchase so that you can make an informed
decision. So, what sort of storage and environmental conditions are expected here, let us
understand. 

Factors that influence tyre ageing

1. Environmental Conditions
2. Storage Conditions

1. Environmental conditions

a) Oxygen

 Oxygen is the major cause of rubber wear and tear.

 It causes damage to the rubber from the inside and outside.
 Compressed air in an inflated tyre is 21% oxygen, which makes the process of oxidation fast.
 The presence of anti-oxidant agents does slow the ageing process but the polymer structure is
bound to get damaged by the presence of oxygen.

b) UV Light

 On exposure to the sunlight, the tyre rubber absorbs UV radiations.

 This UV radiation also causes deterioration which is called ‘Photodegradation’.
 The use of carbon that absorbs sunlight is used by the tyre manufacturers in order to counter this
degradation and elongate the tyre life.

c) Ozone

 Ozone is essentially oxygen with an extra atom found in it.

 This gas comes into play in cities where the pollution is more as compared to small towns. It leads
to faster deterioration of the rubber.
 This degradation is fought by placing special compounds in the tyre.

d) Heat

  Heat and oxygen are unpleasant combinations that reduce the tyre age.
 Thankfully, tyres when not being used are placed in a customized environment that keeps them
fresh and in more than a usable condition.

2. Storage Conditions

a) Temperature and Light

If the tyres are kept in a cool place where the temperature is optimum for the tyre to remain
unharmed, its longevity is increased. Thankfully, it is a completely controllable factor for the
manufacturer or the distributor and they ensure this aspect, which means the consumer does not
suffer.
b) Ozone

The tyre should not be attached to any ozone producing equipment. This is another precaution that
is easily managed by the tyre manufacturers and distributors alike.

c) Humidity

The tyres have to be kept in a storage room that does not have any kind of humidity that produces a
liquid which are potential sources of ozone. This again is well executed by the tyre manufacturers
who keep their products in customized warehouses.

d) Deformation

Tyres once deformed cannot regain their original shape. That is why it is important that they are
kept on an elevated surface at a vertical angle and are not mounted or inflated. Again, most of the
tyre makers vouch for this as well.

How to check the manufacturing date of the tyre?

You can check the tyre manufacturing date on the tyre that appears as a part of the DOT which is
Department of Transportation code. To find the tyre manufacturing date, you have to locate the 4-
digit number on the surface of the sidewall, similar to what is shown in the red rectangle in the
above-given image. For e.g., if the number embedded on the tyre sidewall is ‘0907’, it means that
the tyre was produced in the 9th week of 2007 i.e. February fourth week 2007 (between 26th Feb,
2007 – 4th Mar, 2007). 

Now, as we have acquired a more comprehensive understanding of how tyres are stored after
manufacturing, let us now burst some of the common myths associated with the performance of old
unused tyres.

Sr.
Myths Truth
No.

Tyres age quickly when kept idle in a All major tyre manufacturers use an anti-oxidising agent that slows the
1
warehouse due to oxidation. ageing process and elongates the life of the tyre.

As we learnt earlier, tyres are not inflated before use and are kept in a
2 Tyres get deformed over time.
manner that protects them from deformation.

Again, as we learnt before, the tyres are kept in a storage facility that has
They get damaged due to weather and
3 an optimal temperature devoid of outside humidity to increase the tyres’
heat.
life.

4 Tyres should be checked for their Tyres are as good as new until their installation. So you should check for
 manufacturing date for best results. installation date rather than the manufacturing date.

We hope that this would provide you more clarity as a tyre consumer and would help you make
better decisions by not going into a frenzy when the tyre is not from the same month, or even same
year, of manufacturing. At the end of the day, losing extra money over unnecessary safety concerns
and preventing money at the cost of safety issues are not worthwhile. The more informed you are,
the easier your life becomes.  

All About Noise Cancelling Tyres

Noise-cancelling tyres are the ones which produce very low or no noise at high speeds. With the
modern car technology focussing on reducing the various noises coming into the cabin from the
engine, panels, etc., the occupants have started to experience more serene rides. However, the
insulation work on car parts have made car cabin quieter than before, but in due course, the noise
from tyres has become more evident. Tyre makers have been working on various innovative
technologies and techniques to bring down the noise levels of the tyres.

The technology
Among the tyre makers, Pirelli has been a torchbearer with its recent breakthrough technology for
the noise-cancelling tyres. The Pirelli Noise Cancelling System (PNSC) reduces the noise and
vibrations created by tyres on the road. Known as the tyre cavity noise, Pirelli’s technology uses a
sound-absorbing sponge which substantially decreases the amount of noise and vibration filtering
inside the cabin.

Goodyear too has developed the same technology where a cushion is deployed between the tyre
wall and the wheel to decimate the air creating vibration when the vehicle moves. Christened as
SoundComfort Technology in Goodyear’s books, it functions in the same manner as Pirelli’s.

Here are the names that each manufacturer likes to call its noise-cancelling tyre technology;

 Bridgestone – B-Silent
 Dunlop – Noise Shield Technology
 Continental – ContiSilent
 Hankook – Sound Absorber
 Michelin – Acoustic Technology

How to identify whether a tyre is silent or noisy?

Tyre makers are increasingly working on technologies to help reduce tyre noise. The tyre
engineers/designers are now crafting tread patterns which avoid creating harmonics and disrupt
airflow. To verify which tyres are noise-free yourself, keep in mind the below tips.
Tyres having circumferential, continuous ribs with straight grooves in between or the ones which
have smaller blocks are a good fit for quieter tyres. Other options for such tyres would be ones with
softer rubber composition, narrower tyre sizes or the one with a reinforced shoulder which
stabilizes tread blocks. You can also go for a tyre having asymmetrical tread blocks which create
multiple pitch patterns or the one which has sipes inside the grooves to decimate airflow.

Tyre factors that create noise

There are several sources which contribute to the tyre noise. Similar to a drum, there is only one air
section inside the tyre. Once the tyre rolls, it starts creating a low-frequency sound like a “hum”.
Not only the air chamber inside the tyre but the airflow and tread pattern too also play a vital role.
Whether the tyres carry uniform tread blocks or dissimilar ones, they will produce a sound. The
former creates a more recognisable whining sound, known as harmonic noise, whereas the latter
produces a sound which gets cancelled within the treads and is barely audible to the human ear.

Similarly, tyres with tall tread blocks also create noise as the air circulates within the grooves and
large gaps. Even the tyres of vehicles carrying heavy loads tend to produce high levels of noise. In
the same manner, tyres wearing out unevenly due to misalignment or wheel imbalance or any other
reason also contribute to the tyre noise. Moreover, the tyres nearing their tread end-life are also
reported to produce disturbing sound as the rubber between the steel belts inside and the road is
less.

Why choose noise-cancelling tyres?

If you are someone who likes to have a comfortable and peaceful journey (which most of us do),
you don’t have an option but to go for the noise-cancelling tyres. With quieter cabins, the user can
take full advantage of the features/equipment list offered by a car manufacturer inside the cabin.
Often customer reviews have spoken about how they have to lower the volumes of their in-car
entertainment system after putting noise-free or silent tyres in their vehicles. Apart from their low
levels of noise, they contribute to better ride and comfort handling of the car.

Some premium tyres with a considerably quieter run on the roads include Bridgestone Turanza
T001/T005, Goodyear GT3, Michelin Primacy, Continental Conti Sport Contact 5P, and several
others.