Frequently Asked Questions About Tires and Our Services

What Is The Proper Inflation For My Tires?

ETC Motorsports recommends using the tire pressure that the vehicle manufacturer recommends. This information located on the Tire Information Placard is normally located on the inside driver’s door jamb. We suggest you do not deviate from this tire pressure. Pressure requirements may change when plus sizing tires. You may use the tool above to view the manufacturer recommended inflations for standard sized tires on your vehicle.

What Is The Mileage Warranty On My Original Equipment (O.E.) Tires?

O.E. tires are designed to the vehicle manufacturer’s specifications and do not offer a mileage warranty. However, your tires are warranted for workmanship and material defects.

What Is The Rolling Resistance Of My Tires?

Rolling resistance has traditionally been measured through SAE test procedure J1269. It measures the force required to roll a tire against a dynamometer at a fixed speed of 50 mph. Within ETC Motorsports, we have 1000s or passenger, light and heavy truck products alone and, conceivably, each one could have a different rolling resistance. The tread compound is a major factor, but construction, size, and even tread pattern can have an influence. Ultimately, all the energy provided by the car' engine comes from the gas tank, and this is why trying to retain that energy is so important – the more energy that goes to moving the car, the better the car's fuel mileage will be. With gas prices spiking all the time and environmental consideration assuming increasing importance, fuel-efficiency is the new name of the game. As it is very difficult to reduce the friction in the engine and powertrain any further, this makes the tires one of the best areas available to try and get back some of that lost energy.

For more information on Tire Rolling Resistance please visit our General Tire Knowledge and Information Guide.

What Is Meant By Speed Rating?

The speed rating of a tire indicates the speed category (or range of speeds) at which the tire can carry a load under specified service conditions. The speed rating system used today was developed in Europe in response to the need to control the safe performance of tires at standardized speeds. A letter from A to Z symbolizes a tire’s certified speed rating, ranging from 5 km/h (3 mph) to above 300 km/h (186 mph). This rating system, listed below, describes the top speed for which a tire is certified. It does not indicate the total performance capability of a tire.

When this speed rating system was originally developed, the Unlimited V category of over 210 km/h (130 mph) was the top speed rating a tire could achieve.

As manufacturers made more tires that did not fit this category, it was necessary to better regulate performance at standardized speeds to ensure safety. The Limited V category of 250 km (149 mph) was then created, and the Z speed rating was added as the top speed rating that a tire could achieve. W and Y limited speed symbols have been added as higher speed categories.

Always consult the manufacturer for the maximum speed of Unlimited Z tires. Speed rating is identified as a part of the tire’s sizing or service description. In the latest attempt to standardize tire designations, all ratings except Unlimited ZR incorporate the speed symbol and load index as the tire’s service description. For example:
 

205/60R15 91V
205 = Section Width in Millimeters
60 = Aspect Ratio
R = Radial Construction
15 = Rim Diameter in Inches
91 = Load Index	(Service Description)
V = Speed Symbol

When “ZR” appears in the size designation with the service description, the maximum speed is as indicated by the service description:

EXAMPLES
Tire Designation	Maximum Speed
P275/40ZR17 93W	270 km/h (168 mph)
P275/40ZR17 93Y	300 km/h (186 mph)

For tires having a maximum speed capability above 240 km/h (149 mph), a “ZR” may appear in the size designation. For tires having a maximum speed capability above 300 km/h (186 mph), a “ZR” must appear in the size designation. Consult the tire manufacturer for maximum speed when there is no service description. 

 

SPEED SYMBOLS
Speed Symbol	Speed (km/h)	Speed (mph)
A1	5	3
A2	10	6
A3	15	9
A4	20	12
A5	25	16
A6	30	19
A8	40	25
B	50	31
C	60	37
D	65	40
E	70	43
F	80	50
G	90	56
J	100	62
K	110	68
L	120	75
M	130	81
N	140	87
P	150	94
Q	160	100
R	170	106
S	180	112
T	190	118
U	200	124
H	210	130
V	240	149
W	270	168
Y	300	186

What Does UTQG Mean?

The Department of Transportation requires each manufacturer to grade its tires under the Uniform Tire Quality Grade (UTQG) labeling system and establish ratings for treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance. These tests are conducted independently by each manufacturer following government guidelines to assign values that represent a comparison between the tested tire and a control tire. While traction and temperature resistance ratings are specific performance levels, the treadwear ratings are assigned by the manufacturers following field testing and are most accurate when comparing tires of the same brand.

Treadwear:
Treadwear receives a comparative rating based on wear rate of the the tire in field testing following a government specified course. For example, a tire grade of 150 wears 1.5 times longer than a tire graded 100. Actual performance of the tire can vary significantly depending on conditions, driving habits, care, road characteristics, and climate.

Traction:
Straight-a-head wet braking traction has been represented by a grade of AA, A, B, or C with AA being the highest. Traction grades do not indicate wet cornering ability.

Temperature:
Temperature resistance is graded A, B or C. It represents the tire's resistance to the heat generated by running at high speed. Grade C is the minimum level of performance for all passenger car tires as set under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. This grade is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.

Note: UTQG ratings are not required on winter or light truck (LT) sized tires.

What Do I Need To Know About Tire Repair?

Driving an improperly repaired tire is dangerous. An improper repair can be unreliable or permit further damage to the tire. The tire may suddenly fail, causing serious personal injury or death. A complete inspection and repair of your tire in accordance with Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) procedures should be conducted by a qualified tire service professional.

A proper tire repair includes the following:

The tire is demounted from the wheel for a complete inspection, inside and out. Some damage to the tire may only be evident on the interior of the tire.

The puncture injury is ¼ inch (6 mm) or less and must be within the tread area. This helps ensure the long-term tire and repair durability.

A patch is applied to the interior of the tire and the puncture hole is filled with a suitable plug/stem filler. This helps ensure that the interior of the tire is adequately sealed to prevent inflation pressure loss and prevents contamination of the steel belts and other plies from the elements (such as water) in the outside world.

Additional notes about tire repairs:

Not all punctured or damaged tires can be properly repaired; consequently, some tires must be replaced. NEVER repair a tire with any of the following conditions:

Wear to the tire’s built-in treadwear indicators or to 2/32 inch (1.6 mm) remaining tread depth in any area of the tread.

With a puncture larger than ¼ inch (6 mm).

With a puncture or other damage outside the repairable tread area.

With a pre-existing, improper repair.

Any tire repair done without removing the tire from the wheel is improper. The tire must be demounted from the wheel and the interior inspected for damage that may not be evident on the exterior of the tire.
Using only a plug/stem, or using only a patch, is not a safe or proper repair. A patch must be applied to the interior of the tire and the puncture hole must be filled with a suitable plug/stem filler to prevent inflation pressure loss and contamination of the steel belts and other plies.
NEVER substitute a tube for a proper repair or to remedy an improper repair.
Tubes, like tires, should only be repaired by a qualified tire service professional.
Some vehicle manufacturers do not recommend using repaired tires. Consult your vehicle owner’s manual or contact the vehicle manufacturer before operating a repaired tire on your vehicle.
The tire’s speed rating is void if the tire is repaired, retreaded, damaged, abused, or otherwise altered from its original condition. It should be treated as a non-speed rated tire.

Why Did My Tires Wear So Quickly?

Premature tire wear may be caused by many factors other than tire rotation. Some examples are as follows: improper inflation, driving conditions, misaligned vehicles, worn vehicle parts and many other reasons.

Without physically inspecting the tires it is difficult to make a determination as to why your tires wore prematurely. Please visit our location and have one of our trained professionals inspect your tires free of charge.

 

Does Nitrogen Make A Difference In Tires?

Recently, some tire shops and filling stations have been offering Nitrogen (N2) as an inflation gas for passenger and light truck tires. Nitrogen is acceptable as an inflation gas for use in Bridgestone and Firestone passenger, light truck, and truck tires.

ETC Motorsports knows some tire manufacturers make their tires with innerliners which are designed to act as pressure retention devices, specifically with the use of air, providing durability for the life of the tire and restricting air loss due to permeability. Nitrogen will not cause any detrimental reaction to the innerliner.

ETC Motorsports passes no judgment on the claims stated by various Nitrogen suppliers

Will You Beat Competitors’ Prices?

Our Priced Right Guarantee means we’ll match any comparable tire price, or we’ll refund 150% of the price difference on your tire purchase within 30 days.

This guarantee extends to the Customer, within thirty (30) days after the date of purchase, a refund of 150% of the difference between a current locally-advertised lower price on a similar make/model tire and the price of a tire purchased from a ETC Motorsports Complete Auto Care store. Customer must provide a current local advertisement. This guarantee excludes clearances, closeouts and catalogs. This refund is not to be combined with any other offer or used to reduce outstanding debt nor does it cover or include labor cost for mounting and balancing of tires.