An automobile is made up of many parts, and one of the important parts is the "tire".
What is the tire size of your car? How many owners can answer immediately?
It seems that you know it, but the ones you don't know much about are tires.
We will explain such important and little-known tire information in an easy-to-understand manner so that it will be useful in the future.
Let's know the tire size first
Tire sizes are indicated by numbers and letters on the sides of the tires.
How to read the tire size
Example) 215 / 45R18 93W
● 215: Tire width (mm) / width of the tire in contact with the road surface.
● 45: Flatness (%) / height ratio to tire width. The thickness of the tire.
● R: Radial structure / tire manufacturing method. Generally radial.
● 18: Rim diameter (inch) / tire inner size. Called 18 inches.
● 93: Load index / maximum load capacity. Maximum value of mass per piece. In this case, since it is 93, the load capacity is 630 kg.
● W: Maximum possible speed with speed symbol / mass specified. In this case 270km.
I've written a lot of difficult things, but the important thing is to remember 215 (width) / 45 (thickness) / 18 (inch).
How to read tire sizes that are common in all-terrain tires
Example) 33X12.5R15 LT108Q
● 33: Tire outer shape (inch) / tire end-to-end size. Inch notation.
● 12.5: Tire width (inch) / width of the tire in contact with the road surface.
● R: Radial structure / tire manufacturing method. Generally radial.
● 15: Rim diameter (inch) / tire inner size. Called 15 inches.
● LT: Tires that can be used on light trucks / cargo.
● 108: Load index / maximum load capacity. Maximum value of mass per piece. In this case, since it is 108, the load capacity is 1000 kg.
● Q: Maximum possible speed with speed symbol / mass specified. In this case 160km.
Again, 33 (outer) / 12.5 (width) / 15 (inch) is important.
How to choose tires according to the situation and type of car
There are various types of tires. Even general radial tires include eco-tires (low fuel consumption) and run-flat tires (no flat tires).
There are also block tires (for off-road use) that have prices such as all-terrain tires that are often used for 4x4 and crocodile.
When city riding is the main
I think that normal radial tires, eco tires, and run-flat tires are suitable. Eco-tires are tires with a low rolling resistance coefficient and a wet grip.
There are grades according to performance, rolling low efficiency is classified as "AAA / AA / A / B / C", and wet performance is classified as "a / b / c / d". "A" of "AAA" is the highest grade. Run-flat tires are tires that can travel a certain distance at a certain speed even when the air pressure becomes zero.
When there are many rough roads outdoors with RV / SUV
There are two main types of off-road tires. Mad / all terrain. Mad is mud. All are all compatible. Terrane means terrain.
These tires are not the only tires developed for 4x4 and Crocan. We have a wide variety of sizes and types that can be installed not only on RVs but also on SUVs.
Speaking of mud terrain that can be installed on genuine SUV aluminum, Mud Star Radial M / T has a lineup of general tire sizes such as 215 / 65-16, not to mention off-road performance, but also tread and sidewalls. Powerful enough.
Bridgestone Durer A / T is a tire that has both on-road performance and off-road performance. Although the off-road performance is lower than the M / T mud terrain, it is an A / T all terrain, so it is quieter on the road and can be said to be an off-road tire suitable for everyday use.
What is inch-up? What are the advantages and disadvantages?
The first step in dressing up is to increase the size of tires and aluminum. Nowadays, sizes such as 24 inches and 26 inches are not uncommon.
Inch-up means changing from a genuine inch size to a larger inch, which makes the wheel outer shape larger, which improves the design and makes it look better.
However, please note that it cannot be made infinitely large.
For example, if the 2017 CH-R is increased by an inch,
| Tire size | Wheel size |
|---|---|
| 225 / 50R18 (genuine) outer diameter 682mm | 18 inch rims 6-8 |
| 225 / 45R19 outer diameter 685 mm | 19 inch rim 7-8.5 |
| 245 / 35R20 outer diameter 679 mm | 20 inch rim 7.5-8.5 |
| 255 / 30R21 outer diameter 686 mm | 21 inch rim 8.5-9.5 |
| 225 / 30R22 outer diameter 693 mm | 22 inch rim 7.5-8.5 |
Although it is written in numerical values in an easy-to-understand manner, it can be confirmed that the flatness (thickness) of the tire size becomes thinner at 45 and 35 as the wheel size increases to 19 and 20 inches.
Since there is a limit to the flatness, there is also a limit to inch-up. In this case, 225 / 30R22 is the limit value. It's a terrifying tire size.
This is because even if you increase the size of a genuine tire by an inch, you have to match it. If the outer shape changes, it may come into contact with the car body, or the speedometer or mileage may become abnormal.
The larger the outer shape, the larger the wheels, the wider the tires, and the better the appearance of the tsuraichi. However, the lower the flatness (thinner), the higher the price and the worse the ride quality.
In this case, CH-R, 245 / 35R20 is probably the best choice considering the appearance and ride quality.
It's best to have it! What are studless tires?
If you live in a snowy area, you will always have summer and winter tires, so you understand the good and bad of studless tires, but if you use studless tires only a few times a year, what is good about studless tires? I don't know.
There are many, but it is safe to choose a Japanese-made studless tire that matches the snow quality of Japan.
It is important to note that if you choose an overseas product easily, it may not match the snow quality and the expected effect may not be achieved.