July 27th, 2010 by admin

Demystifying The Tire Sidewall Code
So, you need new tires for your car or truck, but how do you know what to buy? What do all those alphanumeric codes printed on the tire sidewalls mean, anyway? If you’re in the market for new tires, you may simply want to replace your worn tires with exactly the same tire it came with. But you MAY want to consider an upgrade. If you know how to read the tire sidewalls, chock full of valuable information, you’ve got an advantage over most people and are prepared to make an informed decision. So let’s get underway! Tire Size Markings (example: P215/65R15 89H) Broken down: P = Passenger Other designations are LT = Light Truck T = Temporary (spare tire) 215 is the width (in millimeters) of the tire from sidewall to sidewall. A wider tire has more grip but the bad news is that you lose fuel economy, hear more noise and the tires don’t work as well in the rain. 65 is the aspect ratio The aspect ratio is the ratio of sidewall height to tire width. With regards to aspect ratio, the larger the number, the taller the tire sidewall. Tall (60-75) is great for a quiet ride but causes howling in turns. Short (35-55) is better for handling–more for sports cars. R indicates Radial. This means it is constructed with a series of support belts sideways under the tread. Other designations include B for Belted Bias and D for Diagonal Bias The standard, and what you’ll see most often, is R. 15 is the wheel (or rim) diameter, in inches. 89 is the load index H is the speed rating Speed ratings indicate the top speed under ideal conditions. Higher-rated tires are usually made of softer rubber and will have shorter UTQG tread life. Here are a few of the more common speed ratings: R= 106, S=112, T=118, U=124, H=130, V=149, W=168, Y=186. Along with this speed rating, you have a load index which indicates the approximate weight the tire can carry. Some of the more common load weights are as follows: 85 = 1,135 pounds, 86 = 1,168 pounds, 87 = 1,201 pounds, 88 = 1,235 pounds. UTQG Ratings Passenger car tires are accompanied by a UTQG Rating (Uniform Tire Quality Grading, mandated by the Federal Government) which rates the tread life of tires by looking at tread wear, traction and temperature resistance. The UTQG Rating is usually found opposite the tire size markings and will be in three separate ratings: treadwear, traction and temperature. The treadware grade standard is 100. A grade of 200 means the tread would wear twice as well as a tire graded 100. Traction grades run from AA to C, with AA being the highest grade and C meaning the tire brakes poorly on both wet concrete and wet asphalt. Temperature grades rate the tire’s resistance to and ability to dispel heat. Those grades are A (resists heat well), B (not as good as A) and C (passes minimum safety standards.) Keep in mind that heavy loads, under-inflation of the tires, and high speeds can all affect the tire temperature. You should note that these tire grades rate tires measured under controlled conditions. Factors such as driving habits, road conditions, climate, etc., are not considerations and may affect the actual performance of your tire. DOT DOT (Department of Transportation) indicates the tire is in compliance with applicable DOT safety standards. Next to DOT is an identification or serial number–codes that designate where and when the tire was produced. You’ll also find other information on the sidewall such as the type and composition of the tire, the maximum cold inflation (PSI) and maximum load in pounds. So as you can see, tires carry a huge amount of information. But it’s really not all that complicated once you learn to read the code. Debbie Pettitt is webmaster for Everything Tires, your tire resource. For more information on tires, visit http://everythingtires.com
Source: www.ArticlePros.com

Review Of The New Mercedes benz Glk 350
There are a couple vehicle that tell us in one glance that they are ordinary and not the best vehicle that we would want to be seen driving inside of But there are other vehicles that give out an air of splendor and the instant you look at it you understand it is the vehicle that you wish to be in One of these cars is the new Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 . .This is the very first premium compact crossover SUV that Mercedes has ever developed Though the GLK 350 might be a bit boxy it does not disappoint us The platform for this model was designed on the classic C-class sedan . . .So why did Mercedes-Benz decide to make an SUV? “We needed a car like the GLK 350,” sales representative Mark Leonard said “It’s designed to go head-to-head with the BMW X3 and it is doing a fantastic job ” . .The model was debuted earlier in the year and is predetermined to be a 2010 model version It has already drawn in a lot of attention because of its different design and the starting price that Mercedes-Benz has set for it Numerous individuals were expecting them to choose a high number - but were shocked when the business set it at a low $33,900 This will most definitely be in the running for the low-cost SUV on the market and may be able to overpass the X3 in price alone . .The GLK is fitted out with a 3 5 liter V6 engine and linked with a seven speed automatic transmission The two work together to allow for a smooth but powerful drive It is simpler then before to speed up the vehicle and it can touch 60 MPH in only 6 9 seconds . .If you desire to pick out the premium packet you will be getting a panorama sunroof, power liftgate, media upgrade bundle, heated front seats, and memory settings for mirrors, steering wheel, and the driver’s seat You will also be given numerous of the most preferred characteristics that include power assist, dual zone automatic climate control, eight CD sound system, and a trip computer Mercedes also added the standard safety features to each model .
Source: www.rsstnx.com