All-Season tires vary in choice From page 32 direetional tires, run-that tires — even green tires. Most drivers are happy just to know they have all-season tires, and that is the way most new vehicles are equipped. In concept, all-seasons are a chign compromise, sacrificing exceptional capability in any one area of performance for acceptable capabitity in all, Within that overall premise, however, there are I tions in actual performance. All-season tires are not all creat- ed equal. Unlortunately, many of the factors that improve one tire characteristic tend to diminish mother thar may be equally portant. For example 4 hard tread compound mas enhance tread dite and uci ccononmw but) detract trom both wet and dry traction: @ Short, stuf sidewall construc tion may cohance cornering power and directional st but detract from nde qu ad with minimal groovi enhance drv enp but detract trom traction in wet and snowy conditions: gressive, open tread may enhance snow traction but aggravate tire noise and sacri- fice tread-lite on pavement. Consider that a passenger vehicle tire may be expected to function on dry, damp, flood- cd. mud. snow, i cand, or gravel covered surt in tem- peratures frons above +60 C (140 Fito bela -4$0 C (-40 F) and you get some idea of the muduple trade-offs the design: ers have te make. Is dé any Wonder, then, that there are vast performance dif- ferences among designs that are all called “all-season”? Tire’s side oft THE sidewall of every tire is covered with all sorts of letters and numbers. Here’s what it all means: 205/65/R15: width in millimeters. “65” is the aspect ratio, or the ratio of the sidewall height to tire width. Performance tires have a low aspect ratio, usual- "ty 45.155. The “R” means radial ply design. The “15” indicates the diameter of the wheel, in inches Speed rating: indicates maximuin speed for the tire and is usually found within size designation, before the “R” or after wheel diameter. Ratings stare at M (130 km-h or 81 mph) and range to S (179 km-h or 112 raph), T (189 km-h or 118 mph), H (208 km-h or 138 mph), V, ¥ and Z (more than 240 km-h oe 149 mph). Treadwear rating: grades tire life based on a scale refer- enced at 100. In theory, a tire rated at 450 should last three times longer than one rated 150. But beware; manufactur- ers test for these ratings them- selves, More important is the treadwear warranty. Traction and temperature: scores stopping ability on the wet and resistance to high Matching tires to your needs With countess choices the buser’s plytht may secay hope Jess. bur the way S Promete Geir 4p odetine the mance pronues they exhibit Wet tracuien, nde qu tread life, or handling prow may be touted as the major atinbutes of specific tires. be aware thar those disproportc: Me virtuss are prabat achieved at the expense of some oth Determine what your pri- mary needs are — wet traction may be a high priority here on the North Shore, but mde qual- itv won't be if you drive a Sports car -— and marrow your choices accordingly. ¢ a similar vehicle equipped with the tires you are considers betore vou buy, just to be sure. Finally, talk to someone you trust who has personal caperience with the tires. There is always some risk in making your s armed with information, vou can minimize it. e siory temperatures. “A™ is best, “C” worst. Date of manufacture: a number such as DOT BETMHRY | 405 is code for made and : digits tell the week and vear a tire was made. in this example, the tire was made in the 40th week of 1995. safely inflate the tire, not the recommended pressure. For thar, check your owner’s man- ual. Maximum load: indicates greatest weight a re can sup- port. Multiply by four to get total all four can bear. | SEEP OWNERS: READ Quality Repairs by factory trained technician. Very competitive rates. “Building business with honesty, one customer at a time” : 405 Pemberton Ave., N.Van Mike Melo Aen Nassey’ 985-6237 or 831-7499, Announcement Joe Hutton, General Manager, is pleased to announce the qualification of Mr. Wayne Desaulniers, Mr. Mike Melo and Mr. Ken Nassey as Grand Master Technicians in recent national examinations conducted under the General Motors Technicians’ Guild Program. In addition, Mr. Melo has qualified for the national diagnostic “bands on” competition to be held later this month for further honors. Mr. Melo has been with Dick Irwin's for 11 years and completed his Technical Qualification in 1990. Mr. Desaulniers and Mr. Nassey have been with Lick Irwin's for 7 years. Three of the Great, Great Guys at Dick Irvin's. | IDICK. 845 Marine Drive Nor tH VANCOUVER IRWIN 987-5231 Photo submitted INSTALLING all-season tires won't prepare you for driving in all types of weather. 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