Why correct tire dimensions are important

265/70/R17 All-season tires

The reason the correct tire dimensions are important is because wrong size car tire dimensions can lead to worse fuel economy and can even harm the transmission. It is therefore vital to follow the manufacturers recommended tire dimensions for your make and model car or SUV.  This is because the wrong size tires can actually change the gear ratio and put strain on the transmission while also reducing the fuel efficiency.

If you were to put larger than the recommended size tires on your car you would increase the vehicle’s gas mileage by increasing the rolling resistance. It can also alter the performance of the car and can even be bad for the transmission. This is because a larger tire can actually reduce the cars effective gear ratio. With the larger car tires causing the tires to rotate slower to cover the same amount of ground which in turn can cause strain on the transmission. Wrong size tires can also affect the braking (ABS), handling and your odometer. Wider tires will also hydroplane easier.

It is because of this it is important to choose the correct size tire dimensions when buying new car tires for your car or SUV. The first step should be to consult your manual to see what the recommended tire dimensions are for your make and model of car. Whether you are looking for winter, all-season or all-weather tires the recommended tire dimensions need to be respected. The tire dimensions can be found on the sidewall. If the dimensions are 265/70R17 then you would need to buy either 265/70R17 all-season tires, 265/70R17 all-weather tires or 265/70R17 winter tires.  With 265 signifying the tire width in millimeters, 70 being the aspect ratio, R the construction type (in this case Radial), and 17 the wheel diameter. In addition to these tire markings the sidewall is marked with tire type, load index, DOT symbol, tire identification number and the Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG).

The wrong size tires effect the rolling resistance which is the resistance your car has to overcome in order to move forward. With larger tires they have a higher rolling resistance which will thereby decrease fuel efficiency. Deeper tread blocks like that found on winter tires and all-weather tires are great for grip and traction but bad for rolling resistance. With a low rolling resistance tire you can save 6 percent on fuel costs.

Using the correct size tire dimension for your car or SUV is important as it assures the best handling, performance and functioning while assuring the best fuel efficiency, thereby saving on fuel and making the tires more environmentally friendly. Now a days a more environmentally friendly tire is important. Other things that you can do to save on fuel and provide a greener drive are things like keeping tires properly inflated and cutting down on drag by not attaching bike racks and overhead luggage containers when not needed.

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