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Your tires have information molded onto the sidewalls in raised letters and numbers. Ever wonder what it means? Let’s break it down:

• Load Index: The load index is an indicator of the maximum amount of weigh that a tire can carry safely. Load indexes range from 0 to 279, and passenger car tires are usually rated from 75 to 105. It’s important to keep track of the load indices when it’s time to replace the tires on your car.
• Speed Rating:The U.S. Government assigns speed ratings for tires according to minimum standards for reaching and maintaining a specific speed. Usually, the higher the speed rating on a tire, the better the vehicle will ride and handle. Speed rating charts are available online.
• DOT:The “DOT” stamp indicates that the tire is in compliance with the U.S. De ...[more]

Experts and analysts seem to be in agreement on this:  the days of low priced oil are finished.  As countries compete with each other for oil on a global market, the price of refined fuel and gasoline in the United States may fluctuate somewhat, but it’s likely to stay above $3/gallon for the foreseeable future.  What do you need to know about how to optimize your gas mileage, and can you tire hurt or help you save at the pump.

Proper Tire Inflation

The easiest by far, and the most commonly under monitored is the ever so talked about “tire inflation”. It is vital to your vehicle’s fuel economy.  Properly inflated tires save you gas. Most of us don’t check this often enough, and are most likely driving on underinflated tires.  This will not only ...[more]

A tire “blowout” is a rapid air loss in your vehicles tire that occurs while driving. This can be a very scary experience, especially for our younger and less experienced drivers.  Learning how to handle your car in this event can be helpful, however working to avoid a blowout is the best approach.  Regularly inspecting your tires for proper inflation and wear is a responsibility we as drivers must accept and perform.

Here are some guidelines we have come up with to help.

Routinely Inspect Your Tires

By taking the time to inspect your tires, you may prevent potential issues such as a blowout. Setup a regular reminder to inspect your tires at least once a month and before you go on a long road trip.

Some of the best times to inspect your tires are when you’re doing other things with your ca ...[more]

The load range or ply rating on automobile tires refers to the carrying weight or load weight that the tires can support when they are inflated to the recommended air pressure. This means that different types of automobiles will have a different load range based on the automobiles designed use, and performance expectation from the manufacture.  How your car or truck handles, brakes, and rides stems directly from the load range of the tire.

For example, a passenger car tire will have a different load range than a tire found on a pickup truck that is designed to carry a larger load. This is due to the fact that the passenger car tires have a separate rating sequence from light truck tires. Passenger car tires will have a ply rating that is very clear, for example, a passenger car tire will state Standard Load Ranges or SL. The abbreviated codes for passenger cars are L ...[more]

When shopping for tires, knowing the correct tire size is only part of the information you should know.  Other key factors besides the size are just as important.  Let us here at tireteam.com help you!

Of course, buying the correct size is critical; even small changes in the size can affect other performance factors of your car. Some can be positive, but some can be negative, too.  By changing the tire size on a car, truck or SUV you change the diameter, in doing so you change valuable information that your vehicle needs.  Your vehicle counts how many times you tires rotate to determine the speed you are traveling.  This information, if different than what was designed, can put unwanted miles on your car or even “slow your speedometer down” increasing your chances of getting a speeding ticket if you are not aware!  Changing your tire size can also affect how your anti-lock brakes react to y ...[more]

As the temperature drops, and the weather changes, those of us who live in the “snow belt” states understand how important it is to have the correct winter tires on our vehicles.

Choosing the correct winter tire for your vehicle can be challenging even with the internet. Now, you can find the best winter tires at TireTeam.com, and have your tires shipped to your door, or to one of our over 400 factory certified local tire dealers.  At tireteam.com it’s “Internet Convenience with a Local Experience”.

Great Selection on all the Brand Name Winter Tires

With tireteam.com’s large selection at competitive internet prices, you can save on all major name brand tires. Find the correct win ...[more]

Brrr! It’s getting cold out there! Did you know that when the temperature drops, so does the effectiveness of your all season tires and summer tires? Regular tires become stiffer in the dropping temperatures, unable to grip the road or maintain ideal traction control. Winter tires are essential to keeping you and your loved ones safe throughout this cold and blustery season. The main differences in winter and summer tires might surprise you:

• Winter tires are made from a softer rubber: At about 45 degrees Fahrenheit, summer tires will lose some of their traction and become harder. Winter tires are made from a softer, more pliable rubber, which can gri ...[more]

What are these red and yellow dots on my tires?

That’s a question we often at tireteam.com. Believe it or note, those polka dots you see serve a very important purpose when it comes to mounting and balancing your tires. These markers help our tireteam.com certified installers find high spots, low spots and light points on tires. Proper adjustments are then made to make sure your tire is balanced correctly.

According to Bridgestone, “The difference between the high and low is called radial runout. By using detailed computer analysis, engineers have found that a graph of the force variations looks a bit like a wave, as does a graph of the runout variations.

By simplifying these graphs to what is called their “first harmonic,” it is now possible to find the place on the tire where, on average, the force variation is the greatest. That’s where the first harmonic curve hits ...[more]

Many motorists have experienced that moment of panic when they go to leave work or home only to find a flat or severely deflated tire. There are also those unfortunate moments when a tire blows out during driving or the less severe experiences when a tire is deflating slowly due to a puncture or damage. In these moments, as a motorist, do you know your options for tire repair or how to get back on the road?

With a few precautionary steps, your local mechanic can typically get you right in, inspect and repair the tire, or in some cases, recommend you to get new tires from TireTeam.com in order to get you back on the road in no time.

• Know what to do when a tire is flat, punctured, or blown.
• If you are driving when a tire goes out, turn into the skid, not against it, or the blown t ...[more]

Winter Driving Tips

Winters like the one we had last year are few and far between. For most of the country, the winter weather is fast approaching. Make sure you’re prepared with the right set of winter tires. For those of you buying your first set of winter tires, here are a few things to remember.

·         When installing winter tires, always install four. Replacing just two tires can lead to a loss of stability, spinning out, or fishtailing due to the difference in tire traction.

·         Make sure to increase your distance while driving. Even with a set of winter tires on your vehicle, the inclement weather still requires extra precaution when on the roads. Allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.

·         Brake gently to avoid ...[more]