Tire Shop Guide to Tire Traction Ratings: Essentials for Vancouver's Wet Conditions
How Well Do Your Tires Grip the Road?
Living in Vancouver means driving in varying weather conditions, including rain and snow. While the average Southern California driver may not think much about their tires' traction rating, we experience wet weather more than others, so our tires’ traction rating becomes more important.
At Gaynor’s Automotive, our Vancouver tire shop understands the importance of tire traction ratings, and we're here to walk you through the process. Whether you're looking to maximize traction in rain and snow, or perhaps you're looking for an upgrade to the set of tires that you have now, our tire shop in Vancouver is here to help you along the way. Let's explore tire traction ratings, and discover why this often-overlooked aspect of your tires is so important when living in Vancouver. When you're ready for exceptional tire service, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at Gaynor’s Automotive for tire service you can trust.
What Does Tire Traction Rating Mean?
A tire's traction score is graded on a letter-based scale that measures its ability to stop on a wet road. Rated from AA to C, with AA representing the best traction ratings and C representing the lowest, this graded letter system can help you determine the stopping power and traction of a set of tires while shopping.
Living in Vancouver, where wet weather is a part of life, requires drivers to take a second look at traction ratings when shopping for a new set of tires for their vehicle.
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Understanding Traction Ratings
Tire traction rating charts can get quite complex, especially when they include factors the average driver wouldn’t understand — like asphalt g-force and concrete g-force. Asphalt g-force and concrete g-force are both specified because these pavement surfaces behave differently and offer varying traction regarding tire grip. For example, most roads are paved with asphalt, which is softer than concrete, and provides more grip for your tires. However, most overpasses use concrete, which offers less grip than asphalt.
While the average vehicle owner and tire shopper may not need to understand the math and science behind g-forces, it's worth knowing that a higher rating is generally associated with improved safety and shorter stopping distances — which could mean the difference between stopping in time and having a collision.
The tire grading system ranges from AA to C, where AA is the highest grade or shorter stopping distance, and C is the lowest grade and longest stopping distance:
- AA –— Best tire traction
- A — Above-average tire traction
- B — Adequate tire traction
- C — Poor tire traction
If you see a tire with an AA traction rating, you'll know it offers the best grip for your vehicle’s acceleration and stopping distances. In contrast, if you see a tire with a rating of C, you'll know that it may not perform adequately in Vancouver weather.
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How To Uncover Tire Traction Ratings
Now that we've established why traction ratings are so important, especially in wet weather, let's discover where to find a tire's traction rating.
When Shopping for New Tires
When shopping for new tires, you can find your tires’ traction rating under the tire specifications. While tire size and even a tire's special features may be at the forefront of a tire's details, its traction rating is found in the same detailed list as its temperature and speed ratings.
When Looking at Your Current Tires
Some drivers are dissatisfied with their tires' traction and may want a new set of tires from a different manufacturer to experience a better grip. To find your tire’s traction rating, you'll need to look at your tire’s sidewall and decipher the information imprinted on its side.
You'll do this by locating the uniform tire quality grade (UTQG) (treadwear rating on the sidewall of your tires. Unlike tire size, which is usually written in large print, your UTQG rating will likely be in small print, starting with numbers followed by a traction rating. For example, your tires may read “320 AA.” Other tires may simply say “Traction: AA.”
Enjoy a Sure Grip on the Road at Gaynor’s
At Gaynor’s Automotive, we understand the importance of tire traction in Vancouver. Our tire shop is here not only to help you find tires with the traction rating you are looking for but also for all your tire-related needs. We feature all the top tire brands offering the perfect blend of traction, quality, and value while providing all the tire-related services that your vehicle will need throughout its lifetime.
Whether you need a simple tire rotation, a tire replacement, or even tire repair services, our Vancouver tire shop offers all of the tire-related services you will ever need under one roof.
In addition to friendly customer service and exceptional value, we offer service coupons that help you save money and enjoy trusted service.
Schedule an appointment at Gaynor’s Automotive, and you can trust that our Vancouver tire shop can handle all of your tire-related services.
Tire Traction FAQs
How long should four tires last?
On average, your new tires should last anywhere from three to five years before they'll need to be replaced. However, this advice is based on a few assumptions — for example, that you visit a tire shop in Vancouver, WA for regular maintenance service and that you drive roughly 12,000-15,000 miles per year.
What this means is that the actual life span of your tires could be shorter or longer than you'd think. If you want to be sure you're following the right schedule for tire replacement, ask the ASE-certified mechanics at Gaynor's Automotive for assistance!
How can you tell if your tires are worn out?
If you're like most Vancouver drivers, you want to get as much use as possible out of your existing tires before buying new wheels. However, that doesn't mean you should push your tires beyond their limits. Tires play a big part in keeping you and your passengers safe, and dangerously worn tires can't deliver enough traction to protect you on the road.
Are you wondering if your treads are deep enough to function as intended? Figuring this out is as easy as performing the “penny test.” To do this test, find a standard U.S. penny, and push it into a tire groove with the head facing down. If you can see the top of Lincoln's head, it's time to buy new wheels from your go-to Vancouver tire shop.
Of course, worn-out treads aren't the only sign that can indicate your tires are on their way out. You'll also want to visit a local tire store if you notice warning signs such as:
- Uneven tread wear
- Sidewall bulges
- Cracks in your tire rubber
- Trouble maintaining tire pressure
How do I tell what size my tires are?
You can find information on your car's tire size in your owner's manual, on the sidewalls of your tires, or on the driver's-side door. This information is presented as a string of numbers and letters that indicate your:
- Tire type: This string starts with a letter indicating the type of tire your vehicle needs.
- Width: After that, you'll see three numbers — the width of your tires, as measured in millimeters.
- Aspect ratio: The next two-digit number, which appears after a slash mark, compares your tire's cross section to its width.
- Construction: This character will be either a letter “R” (for radial) or a “B,” “D,” or “-” (for bias/diagonal).
- Rim diameter: At this point, you'll find a number indicating what rim size your tires are designed for.
- Load index: This number explains the heaviest weight your tires can support.
- Speed rating: At the end of the string, you'll find a letter corresponding to your wheels' maximum speed.
Do tires last longer if rotated?
When you take tire rotation and other tire maintenance services seriously, you can extend the service life of your wheels. Regular tire rotation can reduce your tires' odds of developing uneven tread wear or unexpectedly blowing out.
But while maintenance services can help your tires last longer, you won't be able to use the same set of wheels indefinitely. When your tires are reaching the end of their life span, it's time to find new tires at a reputable tire shop in Vancouver.
