High Country Driving: Tires

Tires wear quickly here in the high country. It’s the frequent braking and roadway curves that eat them up much faster than flatlanders experience, which is why we have so many quality tire stores here in town.

But be aware of tire characteristics before you buy.

Tires are rated according to three values: “A,” “B” and “C,” tires rated “A” being the highest for a particular value.

The rated values are Traction, Speed and Mileage, but it’s impossible to get “A” ratings on all three values. A tire rated for high mileage simply is made of harder rubber than a tire rated for longer life. However an “A” rated high speed tire can also have an “A” traction rating.

A flatland driver often opts tor “A” rated tires for high mileage, seeking to get 60,000 to 80,00 miles from a set, and often realizes that goal. That is very difficult to achieve up here; however flatlander tires forfeit traction.

High country drivers should always seek “A” rated traction tires to assure maximum road holding on our many curvy roads, especially in the rain.

Of course, as we seldom reach speeds much over 60 mph, a high speed tire is not at all necessary unless your vehicle manufacturer so designates, which they might if the weight load per tire is more than average — common on diesel powered autos.

You will also get the maximum life and performance from your tires if you keep them rotated, maintaining even tread front and rear, and also properly inflated. Do not use the inflation specifications printed on each tire; use the placard usually posted inside the driver’s door of your car.

Joseph Halsted, a Ramona resident, is the author of three novels available at Amazon.com. He drives over 50,000 miles annually in our high country in autos that each have over 200,000 miles.