Tires require proper monitoring, care, and maintenance like any other car part. Tire pressure is one of the most vital components of a tire, the key to safe, functional tires. Safe tires depend on several factors, but one of the most important is the tire pressure.
Tires with the proper pressure provide more efficient gas mileage by maximizing traction and grip on all terrains. This article explains how to determine the optimal tire pressure for your SUV and what other factors should be considered when keeping tabs on tire pressure.
Keep pressure between 32 to 35 PSI. Any lower than 20 PSI, though, and you’ve got a flat tire. Consistently monitor your tire pressure and regularly fill your tires with air to keep them in that ideal 32 to 35 PSI sweet spot for better safety and mileage.
Correct Tire Pressure For SUVs
No universal pressure specification exists that matches every tire. However, as a general example, if you have an SUV with a low load, the number will be around 29-58 PSI. There are several things to consider when adjusting your air pressure.
If you drive your SUV primarily on asphalt roads – and are not carrying a heavy load or driving for a very long time: Convenient places to check what your tire pressure should be on the door frames of the passenger and driver’s side or the fuel filler door.
If you are carrying a heavy load and/or going on a long car trip: Always refer to the manufacturer’s handbook. It details the recommended pressure for the front and rear tires. This is the minimum air pressure required in cold tires to support your vehicle. Two figures will be seen, one for regular use and one for full loads. If you are still unsure, always consult a local tire professional.
Air pressure for Four Wheel Drive Tires
Source: Chrysler
Just like any other vehicle, the recommended air pressure for 4WD tires can be found in the owner’s manual, on the door frame, and on the fuel filler door of your SUV. However, tire pressure should be lowered for off-roading.
This enhances the tire contact area over soft or uneven ground and lessens the bouncing on uneven terrain. This lessens the strain on the wheel bearings, improves handling, and decreases the likelihood of a flat. However, you can’t drive as fast because of the heat buildup in the tires with lower air pressure.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
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A 2008 or newer SUV will likely include a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). The sensors continuously monitor tire pressure and set off an alarm with a dashboard symbol when pressures fall dangerously low. In many countries, these are already mandatory, and newly manufactured cars are now equipped with them as standard.
What does it mean when the TPMS lights up? The pressure of all four tires must be checked. Although only one might need air, a thorough check is mandatory. It will also flash if a spare tire is in use and the vehicle cannot detect the sensor of the original wheel. There might be a TPMS system issue if you’ve tested all the tires and found nothing wrong with them.
While the TPMS is excellent in alerting you of punctures, you are still responsible for checking your tires so that you can respond in advance to issues like uneven wear or dangerously low tread. So check your air pressure even if you have a tire pressure monitoring system.
How To Check The Tire Pressure?
Source: researchgate
Every driver should know how to check their tire pressure. All you need is a tire pressure gauge. They are small and cheap, so it is good practice to always have one in your vehicle. To check tire pressure, the procedure is as follows:
Wait for the tires to cool down: Hotter tires show higher pressure readings. If you drove the vehicle for more than 1 mile, wait for at least 30 minutes, but longer if you drove for more than 10 miles.
Check the recommended tire pressure on the placard or in your vehicle’s owner’s manual: It should be similar for the front and rear tires, but in some cases, it will be different. Also, account for the load in your vehicle, i.e., passengers and cargo.
Remove the plastic valve cap on the wheel: Unscrew it and set it aside safely.
Place the tire pressure gauge on the valve stem: Make sure it seals properly without escaping air. If locking clips are present, lock them onto the stem.
Ensure you read the gauge correctly: If you live in North America, look at the “psi” numbers, while people outside the continent should look at the “bar.”
Inflate/deflate the tires if necessary: You’ll need a tire inflator kit, which should always be in your car.
Once you are done reading/inflating the tire, reinstall the valve cap: It will keep debris from entering.
Tips for Tire Pressure Measurement
As a rule, check your tire pressure:
Every two weeks;
Every time you set off for a long trip
When carrying a heavy load.
Make sure the tires are cold.
A more accurate reading will be obtained if you check the pressure first thing in the morning when it has not been used or been in direct sunlight.
When in doubt, refer to the vehicle’s manufacturer’s handbook.
Use a reliable gauge and air compressor (you can buy one from an auto store or use one for free at a gas station).
Check the pressure correctly. (Place the gauge onto the valve stem. Press down firmly until the hissing sound of air escaping stops. The gauge will show the pressure reading; ensure it matches the manufacturer’s recommendation. If too high, let out some air. If too low, use the air compressor to fill the tire till the recommended level.)
Factors Affecting Tire Pressure
Air Temperature
The lower the temperature, the more tire rubber contracts. This causes tires to lose pressure. This is a perfectly normal phenomenon. If the pressure hasn’t dropped too low, as you start and run the car, friction will cause the rubber to heat, and the tires will regain their pressure as heat expands the rubber. There is a 1-psi higher reading for every 10 °F increase in temperature.
Elevation
The relationship between the air in the environment and the air inside the tire creates the pressure level in a tire. When a car changes altitude, the external air pressure around it changes. Higher altitude means the air offers less resistance, creating a higher pressure level within the tire. So when climbing a mountain, the tire pressure increases by 1 psi for every 2,000 feet of elevation.
Slow Leak
Tires leak gradually for different reasons. These include a loose nozzle cap, tire damage, wrong alignment, or a cut that is not big enough to be a puncture yet but big enough to leak.
Puncture
Punctures can cause tires to lose air pressure immediately. However, in most cases, items that puncture tires remain lodged in the tire’s grooves, allowing air to release very slowly. This is especially true with small punctures.
Others
Other factors include:
Premature wearing.
Valve system failure.
Wheel bead corrosion.
Poor roads and potholes.
Where Can I find the pressure for my tires?
Source: cars
The recommended tire pressure for your car could be found in multiple places, including:
Tire Pressure Label
It is located on the driver’s door jamb (the area on a vehicle where the door connects to the car’s body), inside the fuel filler flap, or in the glove compartment. The label displays the recommended tire pressure for both front and rear tires under various load conditions.
Owner’s Manual
If you can’t find the sticker, refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual to find the correct pressure for various loads.
Conclusion
The ideal pressure for an SUV will vary depending on the environment, where and how you are driving, and how much load you plan to take. However, the ideal pressure considered safe is between 32 to 35 PSI. It cannot be stressed enough that maintaining tires is essential in ensuring your safety and that they last in the long run.
Tires are important for your vehicle’s safety, fuel economy, and driving experience, in addition to keeping it moving ahead. Finding the ideal tires for your car can be challenging as there are so many different tire brands and tire kinds available in the market. When searching for new tires, many drivers consider factors such as the tire model, size, and price.
In addition, some knowledgeable consumers rely on trusted brand names and then select the most suitable tire model within that brand for their vehicle. To make your choice a little bit simpler, we’ve examined the top 10 tire manufacturers in the market. Let’s have a look at these top tire brands.
Top 10 Best Tire Brands
Here are the top 10 best tire brands for 2023:
1. Michelin:
Source: jbrain
The French multinational tire company Michelin has been in operation since 1889. Behind the titan Bridgestone and ahead of companies like Goodyear and Continental, Michelin is regarded as the second-largest tire producer in the world.
From the Golden Wrench Winner for Best All Season CrossClimate2 to the Golden Wrench Winner for Best Performance tire, the Pilot Sport S4, Michelin provides 50 distinct tire styles. It is one of the manufacturers that provides a variety of tires designed specifically for winter weather.
German tire maker Continental has been in operation for more than 150 years. It’s a division of a giant multinational corporation that supplies a broad range of subsystems for use in vehicles and other modes of transportation. The company offers a lot more than just making tires.
In the US, Continental offers a selection of 59 different tires. Continental produces outstanding high-performance tires, touring tires, medium-duty trucks, and SUV tires, but less so for the extreme mud-terrain and all-terrain types because it primarily focuses on mainstream vehicle tire production. Continental tires are great if you need or want tires that can cope with extreme weather or other situations.
Goodyear has been producing tires since the development of vulcanization. Goodyear tires are designed to last for all types of vehicles, including off-road trucks and motorsports vehicles, and were established in Akron, Ohio, in 1898. Goodyear tires, being among the best on the market, are more expensive than other average brands.
Goodyear offers an amazing 85 distinct tire models, ranging from high-performance tires like the Eagle F1 Supercar to affordable all-season tires for commuter sedans like the Radial LS. Before delivering any models to customers, the business subjects its tires to extensive internal and external testing. There is also a wide selection, with trucks and SUVs accounting for around half of Goodyear’s tire offerings.
On some models, the wet performance is just average.
4. Bridgestone:
Source: autorevindonesia
Bridgestone is a Japanese tire manufacturer that has been producing tires since 1931. Since acquiring Firestone in 1988 and making other acquisitions over the years, Bridgestone Corporation has become the largest tire maker in the world. Bridgestone has been a pioneer in the market, constantly pushing for eco-friendlier innovations.
It keeps up the Bridgestone brand, which has more than 100 different tire types for almost every kind of driver. Its ultra-high- and high-performance range is called Potenza, although it also offers Turanza and Ecopia tires for passenger cars. It also produces nine different variants of its Blizzak tire, which is widely regarded as having revolutionized the winter tire industry in the 1990s.
Performance in wet and dry conditions is excellent
Outstanding winter performance
Cons:
Fewer models than those offered by competing brands
5. BFGoodrich:
Source: canstarblue
One of the first tire companies to exist, BFGoodrich has been producing tires since 1870. Since joining the Michelin family of brands in 1990, it has had a significant position in the US market. BFGoodrich has primarily concentrated on just 21 different tire styles to maintain its status as a household name.
Its most popular tires include the All-Terrain T/A K02 and Mud Terrain KM3 tires and the g-Force ultra-high performance tires. The only other white-letter 14- and 15-inch tire for classic muscle cars is the Radial T/A. It has also done well with its Advantage T/A touring tires, which are a replacement for sports vehicles and commuter sedans.
One of the few tires available for classic muscle vehicles
Cons:
A small range of products
6. Cooper:
Source: maxfinkelstein
Another of those Akron-based rubber manufacturers, Cooper, has been a part of the industry since 1914. It went through some rough times, but lately, it’s been getting better and making some great models in a few different categories. Cooper tires are well-known for their superior handling and traction, making them a top option for drivers who value safety and reliability.
Cooper can’t compete with the large variety of the major manufacturers because it only offers 21 different models, but it does well in the markets where it sells those products. Its Discoverer truck and SUV tire has long been a customer favorite, while muscle car enthusiasts continue to adore the Cooper Cobra, one of the few solid white-letter tires with thick sidewalls available in 14 and 15-inch widths.
One of the few tires available for classic muscle vehicles
Cons:
Limited product range
Only a few high-performance options are available.
7. Yokohama:
Source: actiontire
Japanese tire maker Yokohama has been in business since 1917, but the company has only really broken through in the American market since 1969. Since then, it has established two US production plants, and by supplying tires for numerous OEM applications, it has grown to be a household name.
For buyers in the United States, Yokohama offers 76 distinct models, most of which are variations on the company’s ADVAN performance tire brand, Avid all-season/touring tire line, and Geolandar range of pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Additionally, it offers a variety of winter tires. Yokohama tires are great if you’re looking for high-quality rubber that will last a long time.
A variety of all-season/tourist tires are available
Extensive selection of mud- and all-terrain truck and SUV tires
Cons:
Less retailer network than other manufacturers
Some all-season models function poorly during the winter.
8. Pirelli:
Source: gtstyres
Pirelli, a tire manufacturer based in Milan, Italy, has a rich history spanning nearly 150 years. Its focus has primarily been on supplying tires for prominent European racing series and events, including the Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series and FIA Formula One. The company also offers a wide selection of track tires and a range of winter performance tires to meet different driving needs.
With a diverse range of 63 tire models, Pirelli has built its reputation around producing ultra-high performance tires specifically designed for exclusive performance and sport-luxury cars. Additionally, Pirelli is recognized for manufacturing top-quality tires for trucks and SUVs, particularly through its Scorpion line.
General Tire, an American tire manufacturer established in 1915, played a significant role in the industrial success of Akron, Ohio, during the early to mid-20th century as one of the many rubber manufacturers in the area. Compared to larger manufacturers, General Tire offers a more limited range of tire models, with a total of 19 options available.
The majority of these models belong to the Grabber line, which focuses on truck and SUV tires. Additionally, General Tire includes several winter tire choices in its lineup, such as the Altimax for passenger vehicles and the Grabber Arctic designed for trucks and SUVs.
Fewer models than those offered by competing brands
Limited performance spectrum
Fewer retail outlets
10. Hankook:
Source: kemoimpex
Hankook, originally known as the Chosun Tire Company, is the youngest tire brand on our list. It was founded in South Korea in 1941 and underwent a rebranding as Hankook in 1968. The brand entered the US market in the 1990s and has since emerged as a prominent player in the tire industry. The company offers a diverse range of 42 tire models, categorized into different lines.
These include the Ventus line, which focuses on high-performance tires, the Optimo and Kinergy lines that cater to all-season and touring tire needs, and the more recent Dynapro line, designed for all-terrain and mud-terrain applications. Hankook’s tire offerings cover a wide range of driving requirements and have contributed to its growing reputation in the industry.
Passenger tires: These are designed for personal use in vehicles such as hatchbacks, sedans, coupes, and crossovers.
All-season tires: These tires are suitable for highway driving and can handle various weather and road conditions. They are often referred to as grand touring tires.
All-terrain tires: These tires are designed to perform equally well both on-road and off-road, providing versatility and capability in different terrains.
High-performance tires: These tires are built to deliver sporty handling, excellent grip, and quick responsiveness, enhancing the performance of vehicles.
Snow tires: This category includes studded and studless tires, offering improved traction on snow-covered roads. The best snow tires often come with studs for enhanced grip.
Summer tires: Also known as performance tires, these tires excel in warm-weather conditions, providing precise handling and traction on both wet and dry surfaces.
Ultra-high-performance tires: These tires are specifically designed to support high-horsepower vehicles, delivering an exhilarating driving experience with exceptional handling and traction.
Winter tires: The best winter tires feature deeper tread patterns and superior traction, making them well-suited for winter weather conditions.
Original Equipment vs. Replacement: Which Are the Best Tires?
Source: mypartschoice
OE tires are the tires that are originally provided with your vehicle when you buy them. They are specifically designed by both the car manufacturer and the tire brand to match your vehicle’s make and model. On the other hand, replacement tires, also known as new tires, are more generic in nature and not tailored for a specific vehicle.
When you are in the process of buying tires or browsing through tire-selling websites, you will come across a differentiation between these two types of tires. So, which tires are the best for your car? Well, that depends. Let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of each type of tire:
Original Equipment (OE) Tires
Replacement Tires
Most commonly used for specialized vehicles like sports cars.
It may work best for your car because the maker backs their assembly and structure.
May work best for your car because the maker backs their assembly and structure.
Possibly a more technologically sophisticated and fuel-efficient choice.
Tend to be more expensive and can require replacement more frequently.
Tend to be more affordable and durable.
How to Read a Tire?
Source: tiresafety
Knowing how to read a tire can be highly useful, especially when you’re looking for the right tire for your vehicle. It’s important to understand the meaning of the numbers printed on the sidewall of the tire when you’re shopping for tires.
Here’s a simple explanation of common tire labels found on passenger vehicles:
R: This indicates a radial tire, which is the standard type of tire used in the industry. M+S: This stands for “mud” and “snow” and signifies that the tire has some capability to drive in specialized conditions. Load index: Represented by a two- or three-digit label, it shows how much weight the tire can carry. Higher numbers indicate higher weight capacity. Speed rating: Speed ratings range from letters L to Y. For passenger and light truck tires, R, S, or T ratings are common, indicating different maximum speeds. Aspect ratio: This two-digit label shows the relationship between the tire’s height and width. A lower number (50 or lower) means a shorter sidewall, which improves steering response and overall handling. Opting for a lower aspect ratio provides more stability while driving.
What Is Covered by a Tire Warranty?
Source: firestonecompleteautocare
Tire models typically provide two types of warranties: a limited warranty and a mileage warranty. The limited warranty covers any defects in workmanship and is usually offered by manufacturers for the entire lifespan of the tire. The tire’s lifespan is determined by how long it takes for the tread to wear down to a depth of 2/32 of an inch, which typically occurs approximately every six years.
On the other hand, a mileage warranty, also known as a tread-life warranty, provides an estimation of how long the tire’s tread will last. The duration of mileage warranties can vary significantly, not just between manufacturers but also among different tire types.
For instance, all-season tires typically have more extended mileage warranties than performance tires because they are intended for everyday commuting rather than high-performance activities on racetracks.
Choosing the Best Tire Brand
Choosing the right tire brand is a personal decision that depends on factors like driving style, vehicle type, and budget. For off-roading in a Jeep Wrangler, you’ll need a durable tire capable of handling rough terrains. In contrast, city dwellers with minimal vehicle usage require different tires. Consider price, availability, longevity, and tread life when choosing.
Start by researching ratings and consumer reviews to identify suitable tire types. Then, compare prices and availability from various tire shops and online outlets. Keep in mind that some stores offer price matching. Once you find the tire that meets your needs, check local shops and online outlets for inventory and competitive prices so that you can get the best deal.
FAQs:
Which is the best tire brand?
As the best tire brand, Michelin tops the list for all categories.
Are Michelin tires worth the money?
According to consumer evaluations and satisfaction ratings, Michelin frequently performs better than all other tire brands, so yes, it is worth the money.
Which tire brand has the longest lifespan?
The General Altimax RT43 and the Cooper CS5 Grand Touring typically survive longer than the ordinary tire.
Are Walmart tires reliable?
It all depends on what they’re selling. Almost any brand of tire is available through a Walmart location. The quality of a Michelin tire purchased from Wally World is comparable to that of any other tire provider.
