How to Read a Tire Sidewall | Autobytel.com

How to Read a Tire Sidewall
Translate the jibberish on your tire by Kirk Bell
http://bit.ly/cMuAQm


The typical tire size is expressed something like this: P245/45R17 93H M+S. Those numbers and letters can seem like Greek, so let's define them one at a time.

P: The first letter stands for the tire's intended use. P is the most common and it means Passenger. LT stands for Light Truck. An LT tire has a sturdier construction than a P tire, and it can carry a greater load, which we will talk about later.

245: The width of the tire, from sidewall to sidewall, in millimeters. A 245 is 245 millimeters, or 24.5 centimeters, wide. The tread width is actually somewhat smaller than the tire's actual width.

45: Aspect Ratio. This is the sidewall's height from the inside diameter to the outside diameter. It is expressed as a percentage of the width. A 245/45 is 45 percent as tall as it is wide, making it approximately 110.25 millimeters tall. As aspect ratios decrease, the tire's firmness increases. Smaller aspect ratios, such as 35 or 40 are generally reserved for performance tires on sports cars.

R: The tire's type of construction. R stands for Radial, and all new cars and light trucks today use radials. You may also see B in this spot for Bias Ply. Bias ply tires were used prior to the mid 1970s.

17: The tire's inner diameter, which matches the outer diameter of your car's wheels.

93: Load Rating. Load ratings range from 0 to 279 and each has a corresponding weight associated with it. A 93 load rating means that tire is certified to carry up to 1433 pounds at maximum inflation pressure. If a car weighs 4000 pounds, then each tire handles 1000 pounds with no passengers or cargo aboard. If you intend to tow a heavy boat or trailer, you should buy tires with a higher load rating. This will require some math to figure out the vehicle weight, the trailer weight, and the weight of a load you may carry inside the vehicle while towing. Add it all up, divide by four, and make sure your replacement tires have a corresponding load rating.

H: Speed Rating. All passenger tires have a speed rating expressed as a letter. Those letters and the corresponding speeds the tires are capable of are included in this chart:
S: 112 mph
T: 118 mph
U: 124 mph
H: 130 mph
V: 149 mph
W: 168 mph
Y: 186 mph
Z: over 186 mph

A Speed Rating is really an indication of a tire's ability to dissipate heat to avoid a blowout. Higher speeds mean greater heat buildup. Tires with higher speed ratings are constructed to handle heat better. In general, they also ride harder than tires with lower speed ratings. S-, T-, and U-rated tires are considered regular passenger-car tires. H- and V-ratings are reserved for touring tires, which are generally found on sport sedans. The Z rating is for performance tires found on sports cars.

M+S: Mud and Snow. This is an all-season tire. A summer performance tire would have no designation here.

Honda Begins Production of 2011 Odyssey Minivan in Alabama

LINCOLN, Ala. August 31, 2010



Honda marked the start of production of the all-new, Alabama-built 2011 Honda Odyssey minivan today with an end-of-the-line celebration that included participation by more than 1,200 associates at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA).

The Odyssey minivan has been the top-selling minivan in the U.S. for the past two years and is considered the benchmark vehicle in the minivan class. The completely-redesigned 2011 Honda Odyssey improves on its already award-winning, class-leading design with a more-distinctive style, higher fuel efficiency and greater interior versatility. Improvements to the fourth-generation Odyssey represent a new Honda vision for the "ultimate in family transportation."

"In about four weeks, our Honda dealers will have this new Odyssey on their showroom floor. But I don't think it will be there for long," said Vicki Poponi, assistant vice president of product planning for American Honda Motor Co. "Whether you're driving in Oregon or Orlando, Milwaukee or Mobile - everyone in this great, glorious nation of ours will know that every 'American Odyssey' has its roots right here in Lincoln, Alabama."

Tuesday's event at the assembly line celebrated the start of mass production of the new Odyssey, which has received a total makeover for the 2011 model year. HMA is the exclusive global production source of the Odyssey minivan, the Pilot sport utility vehicle and the Ridgeline pickup. The Lincoln plant also shares production of the Accord V-6 Sedan with the Marysville Auto Plant in Marysville, Ohio and builds the V-6 engines that power each model.

"What a beautiful vehicle we have created together," said Art StCyr, chief engineer for the 2011 Odyssey at Honda R&D in Raymond, Ohio. "It's called the American Odyssey because - for the first time - the Odyssey minivan was designed, developed, and manufactured in the U.S. What a great sense of pride that brings to all of us."

The 2011 Odyssey's more-aerodynamic shape with a lower roofline contributes to class-leading fuel efficiency; yet improved interior packaging maintains similar vertical functionality as the previous model. A wider stance creates a more accommodating interior while accenting the exterior's dynamic appearance. The 2011 Odyssey will go on sale this fall at Honda dealerships across the U.S.

Also, on Friday, Sept. 3, the $1.4 billion Lincoln plant will mark another milestone with production of the 2 millionth Honda vehicle to be built in Alabama. HMA employs more than 4,000 associates and has the capacity to produce 300,000 vehicles and V-6 engines each year.

Darrell Waltrip Automotive sponsors 32nd Annual Franklin Classic

Darrell Waltrip Automotive, Tennessee's #1 Honda, Volvo and Subaru dealer is the proud sponsor of the 32nd Annual Franklin Classic to be held on Monday, September 6, 2010. The proceeds of the event will benefit Mercy Children's Clinic, a nonprofit pediatric health care center where no child is turned away because of inability to pay.

Darrell Waltrip Automotive cares for the community it serves and is pleased to be associated with this event and the noble cause behind it.

• Waltrip Automotive is giving $500 cash to the school that registers the largest team (Register at www.franklinclassic.org).
• Come and test drive a Honda, Volvo, or Subaru car at Mercy Children's Clinic on Friday, September 3, 2010 or Saturday, September 4, 2010 and $20 will be donated to the clinic per test drive.

The Franklin Classic is Middle Tennessee's oldest race, drawing thousands of runners, walkers, and cheering fans to historic downtown Franklin. The events will include 5K & 10K runs, a 4K walk, and a 1K kids run.

Darrell Waltrip himself is the official 5K and 10K race starter. Participants and supporters can enjoy the free kids' zone, family activities, and live music in Franklin's main square during the event. Come and join Darrell Waltrip Automotive this Labor Day for the 32nd Franklin Classic!

Honda Graduate Program at Darrell Waltrip Honda, Franklin, TN

A sweet deal from Honda for your post-college life

Franklin, TN, August 16, 2010 – Darrel Waltrip Honda, a leading Honda dealer near Nashville in Franklin, Tennessee (TN), is pleased to offer Special AHFC APR Financing of 0.9% APR for 24-60 months on 2010 Honda Civic Coupe under the Honda Graduate Program.
The offer is meant for well-qualified buyers who qualify for the Honda Graduate Program criteria. The sharply styled, feature-rich Civic Coupe has a huge reputation for durability, quality and reliability.
Graduates with a master’s, bachelor’s or associate degree from a US accredited college or registered nursing school are eligible for the program. They should have graduated in the past two years or will graduate in the next four months. The customers must make minimum 5% down payment and should have no adverse credit history. They should have verifiable proof of employment or a firm commitment from an employer with a start date no more than 120 days from the date of the finance contract.
The offer is valid up to September 7, 2010, on new and unregistered 2010 Civic Coupe models and only on approved credit by Honda Financial Services through participating dealers. See Darrell Waltrip Honda for detailed official information of the program.
About Darrell Waltrip Honda, Franklin, TN
Darrell Waltrip Honda is a premier Honda dealership near Nashville in Franklin, TN. Specializing in Honda sales, finance, service and parts, Darrell Waltrip Honda provides high quality service to its customers. The dealership has an enormous collection of new, used, and certified pre-owned Honda models such as the Accord, Civic, CR-V, Element, Fit, Insight, Odyssey, Pilot and Ridgeline.
Darrell Waltrip Honda is a member of the Hendrick Automotive Group and Hendrickcars.com family.
Contact Darrell Waltrip Honda,
1430 Murfreesboro Road Franklin, TN 37067.
Phone: (800) 679-4157
Website: http://www.darrellwaltriphonda.com/

Darrell Waltrip Automotive is Hiring!

Darrell Waltrip Automotive is now hiring experienced salespersons!

Visit our YouTube page at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7NwtyW2_0c or call Bill Kimbrough for more information: 1-888-254-6632 or at 615-516-3604!