Sets of wheels and tires are analogous to pairs of shoes. They are chosen for different uses, reflect the style of the chooser, and there is the ultimate pair for everyone and every vehicle. You need to choose the right pair to fit the occasion, whether it's for pure performance at the track, a set for the street, or for a show event. For show, people sometimes choose wheels and tires based solely on appearance while sacrificing fitment-i.e., not the right size or offset. People like this are willing to risk damage, similar to how a woman suffers in 4-inch heels (but they look amazing).
Wheels are often about looks, but if they don't fit right they can cause damage to both the driver and vehicle. For these same reasons, what may look good on a website might not necessarily look good on your car. Similar to how one might end up wearing a tux with red Converse all-stars, or set out for a morning jog in your sweat suit and a pair of Bruno Maglis. Having a proper set of wheels and tires is key to maintaining vehicle safety and performance. That's why it is critical to get the proper fitment for wheels and tires on your particular vehicle.
Most manufacturers equip a vehicle with a standard OEM rim and tire that reflects the vehicle's persona. For example, an '09 VW Rabbit is an everyday utilitarian vehicle; it comes with a set of 15-inch steel wheels and 195/65 all-season tires-like a pair of loafers designed to give good traction for everyday activities while being inexpensive, comfortable, and durable. In contrast, an '09 Porsche 911 GT2 is factory equipped with pressure-cast 19-inch wheels and Z-rated tires-like a pair of running shoes, this package is designed for acceleration, agility, and grip. But they might be a little rough on uneven surfaces and will wear out quickly.
The Basics Of Tires
When you look at the side of a tire you are bombarded with combination of numbers and letters designed to give you the tire's specifications but really looks like a WWII attack code. The problem is you need a cipher to make sense of what it all means and then apply the information to your buying decision.
Here's a quick guide to decode the mysterious markings embedded on the sidewall using an example of a Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric tire:
225/35R19 88Y Treadwear 240 Traction AA Temperature A
* 225: Tire width (measured from sidewall to sidewall) in millimeters.
* 35: Aspect ratio, the tire sidewall's height relative to tire width as a percentage. Here, the sidewall height is 35 percent of the tire's width. To determine the actual sidewall height in millimeters, multiply tire width by the aspect ratio's decimal percentage. Example: 225mm x 0.35 = 78.75mm.
* R: Denotes radial construction.
* 19: Tire inner diameter in inches, which corresponds to the diameter of the rim to be used.
* 88: Load index, a two- or three-digit number that corresponds to an index of the maximum weight the tire can handle when properly inflated. Using the index, 88 corresponds to a maximum of 1,235 pounds.
* Y: Letter that corresponds to an index of the maximum speed rating. Using the index, Y corresponds to a maximum of 186 mph. Beyond this threshold, the tire's performance and integrity could be questionable.
* Treadwear 240: Estimated tread life based on a 7,200-mile test performed on a standardized test course under controlled conditions. A tire with a 240 rating should last twice as long as a tire with a 120 rating.
* Traction AA: Grading scale rating ability of tire to stop in straight line on wet pavement, from AA (highest grade) to C (lowest grade). Note-does not indicate stopping ability on dry pavement or in corners.
* Temperature A: Grading scale rating ability of the tire to dissipate the heat generated by the tread, from A (highest grade) to C (lowest grade). Note-excessive heat can cause deterioration of the tire, resulting in tread separation and failure, so the higher the grade, the better.
BBS has been designing and implementing cutting edge wheel technology for use on the street and the track since the early 1970s. The CH-R is one of the company's latest, incorporating technology acquired from decades of motorsport competition. The Flow-Formed and low-pressure-cast rim section incorporates Finite Element (FEM) analysis in its design and back-milled spokes that reduce unsprung weight while maintaining strength.Applications: Audi, BMW, Porsche
Advanti Racing Alloy Wheels are the official wheel supplier to the Scuderia Toro Rosso (STR) Formula One race team. The Advanti A8 Afoso is a fin-style one-piece cast alloy design that gets its inspiration from its F1 heritage. The A8 Afoso features a bright silver finish with mirror machined lip or optional hyper mirror paint and is available with staggered fitments for most European makes.Applications vary
Breyton Design GmbH has been designing, testing and manufacturing light alloy wheels for BMW for 20 years, and more recently MINI. Wheels are not the only thing Breyton does. The Breyton GTSR-M is available in hyper silver or black with a unique machined accent behind the face of the wheel, and accepts the OEM BMW center caps.Applications: BMW