Keep a Slick Grip On the Road With 225/40/18 All-Season Tires
Tires are essential components of your vehicle. They determine a large part of its handling characteristics, the ride comfort, and the safety of your car. Seasons change, but your car tires dont have to. All you need are quality all-season tires at a reasonable price; they can withstand unpredictable changes in temperature and the weather to keep you rolling without having to swap them out every season like you would with other tires, such as winter and summer tires.
What Does 225/40/18 Stand For?
- Width: The first digit in the series indicates the tire width. In this case, it is 225 mm wide, which is wider than standard models. Due to their width, this type provides excellent grip and handling response, thereby granting more stability with each turn. This is a boon for all-season tires because good handling is always a plus in ever-changing climates.
- Aspect Ratio: The next digit 40 indicates the aspect ratio. It is the height of the sidewall measured from wheel rim to tread top, expressed as a percentage of the width. The larger the aspect ratio, the higher the sidewall height, resulting in high performance differences in driving.
- Wheel Diameter: The digit 18, in this case, indicates wheel diameter. This digit is usually marked after the letter "R," "D," or "B" depending on the type of tire you are looking at. Match this digit with the diameter of your wheel so that it will fit perfectly.
How Do I Know Which Tire Size to Get?
- Same Performance, Different Looks: Get the same tire size as the stock ones from your vehicle, but buy better-looking alloy rims of the same diameter as your old ones. This will improve the look but preserve performance.
- Increased Acceleration: Look for bigger wheel sizes, larger widths, and lower aspect ratios. This increases the responsiveness, acceleration, and cornering of your car at a higher price and requiring more frequent tire changes, depending on your usage.
- Sport: To achieve a smooth ride but a sportier look, get rubber that has a higher aspect ratio, but which fit smaller wheel sizes. This will give you higher sidewall height that cushions a lot of the bumps, which is great for sports cars and coupes.
What Is the Difference Between Radial, Diagonal-Cross, and Bias Belted Tires?
- Radial: Marked as "R," it transfers more power to the ground and does not transmit sidewall flex.
- Diagonal-Cross: Marked as "D," the cord plies are diagonal to the running direction and have rigid sidewalls.
- Bias Belted: Marked as "B," bias belted versions transmit all sidewall flex to the tread and deforms the footprint. It is ideal for keeping as close to the original components of classic cars because its predecessor, the bias tire was typical in classic cars, but this new design negates its design flaws.