Wheels and More: 7 Types of Wheels You Need to Know About
How often do you use your car? And what do you use it for? Maybe you use it for road trips and travelling, or maybe you use your car on just a regular day like going to your work or visiting your friends and loved ones.
Whatever your reason is, one thing is for sure; your car needs tires in order to run smoothly and reach your destination safely.
Why Are Car Tires So Important?
Without tires, cars simply won’t run. Even with a tire, some cars can’t run smoothly. This fact is the reason why people should always take care of their tires. Some people think that tires that are fully inflated are good to go. However, a car that’s in poor condition can be very dangerous, regardless if it’s lacking in air or not. Most car tires are now pneumatic or pressurized tires, and have flexible dampers that absorb shock when the tire runs over a rough surface. Tires also have footprint features called the contact patch, which matches the weight of the car, designed to avoid excessive deformation of the surface.
In short, car tires provide the right amount of friction plus reduces shock which ensures protection for your wheels, your car and, most importantly, protects you from any possible harm that the weather or terrain may cause. Depending on your use, there are several types of tires and wheels in Canada that you should know about. Only use these tire types according to their function. Below are some of the best kinds of car tires to use in different driving situations.
Different Car Tires
As mentioned above tires vary and differ in types, with each type having a specific use. If you’re planning on traveling to places with different types of weather and terrain or even with a regular road, then it is necessary to know your tires. Here are some car tires that you should know about.
Winter Tires
If you’re planning to travel or if you’re living in a place with an ice-cold winter, then you’ll need winter tires. The winter tire is specifically for snowy terrain. It has small sipes that are designed to provide greater traction and grip on snowy, icy and wet surfaces, while remaining flexible even if the temperature drops down below 7. 2°C.
Summer Tires
This tire is made with extra durable rubber for stability and grip also designed for durability and can resist temperature above 7 ° C. Summer tires also feature hydroplaning resistance and is capable of performing in both wet and dry conditions
All-season Tires
All-season tires are built for all types of weather in their mild conditions. All-season tires are designed to be durable, given that they are not pushed to extremes. All-season tires are classified into 2, which is the Touring tires and Passenger tires. Touring tires have a generally better speed rating compared to passenger tires. Passenger tires on the other hand, are made for more casual use.
Highway Tires
Highway tires are designed for heavier types of trucks. This type of tire is made for durability and comfort when traveling on rougher terrain. Highway tires are similar to all-season tires, the only difference is that these tires are built for pickup trucks and SUVs.
Performance Tires
These sporty tires are literally built for performance. Performance tires can improve speed, handling, have better grip, and a quick response. These types of tires have wider side grooves which are designed for wet weather traction. Performance tires are mostly used by sportscars, rally cars, and other high-performance cars.
All-terrain Tires
All-terrain tires are designed for handling light mud, sand, and gravel. Its structure has more rugged patterns with wider sipes which grants traction on off-road terrains.
Mud-terrain Tire
The fear of getting stuck in a heavy mud should never stop you from exploring. Mud-terrain tires are created for extreme off-road adventures. These tires have an aggressive pattern on the sidewall, which grants more traction on soft terrain such as heavy mud and sand. If you’re looking for mud-terrain tires, you can read the best mud tires reviewed on CarPassionate.com.
How Do You Replace Your Tires?
There are times when you’ll be crossing a new terrain or your tires got flat. So what do you do? First, you’ll need the tools such as a fully inflated spare tire, Lug wrench and, Jack. If you already have these tools ready, then it’s time for tire replacement. To begin with, you’ll have to loosen the lug nuts on the wheel. The next step is to place the jack under your vehicle and raise your vehicle using the jack after that unscrew the log nut and remove the old tire, next mount the new tire and lastly make sure to screw back the log nut tightly.
Takeaway
Driving is a responsibility, and part of this responsibility is to make sure that you and your passengers are safe while inside a car. Being a responsible car owner means that you also have to have your car in good working condition. Aside from the engine, oil, gas, and other stuff, you also need to take good care of your tires. If you need to stop the vehicle while changing your wheel then be sure to use a wheel chock.