4/29/23

10 Things Everyone Should Know About Tires

By Eric Peters, Automotive Columnist

You probably know tires are made of rubber — but how much more do you know? Here’s a run-through of some important tire-related terminology:

1) Aspect ratio

This technical-sounding term refers to the relationship between the width of a tire and the height of the tire’s sidewall. High-performance “low profile” tires have “low aspect ratios” — meaning their sidewalls are short relative to their width. This provides extra stiffness and thus better high-speed handling and grip — but also tends to result in a firmer (and sometimes, harsh) ride. “Taller” tires tend to provide a smoother ride and better traction in snow.

2) Contact Patch

As your tires rotate, only a portion of the total tread is actually in contact with the ground at any given moment.  This is known as the contact patch.  Think of it as your tire’s “footprint.” Sport/performance-type tires are characterized by their wider footprint — more tread is in contact with the ground — which provides extra grip, especially during hard acceleration on dry pavement and during high-speed cornering.

3) Treadwear indicators

These are narrow bands built into the tread during manufacturing that begin to show when only 1/16 of the tire’s tread remains. Also called wear bars, treadwear indicators are there to provide an obvious visual warning that it’s time to shop for new tires.

4) Speed ratings

An alpha-numeric symbol you’ll find on your tire’s sidewall that tells you the maximum sustained speed the tire is capable of safely handling. An H-rated tire, for example, is built to be safe for continuous operation at speeds up to 130 mph. Most current model year family-type cars have S (112 mph) or T (118 mph) speed ratings. High performance cars often have tires with a V (149 mph) or  ZR (in excess of 149 mph) speed rating. A few ultra-performance cars have W (168 mph) and even Y (186 mph) speed-rated tires.

5) Maximum cold inflation load limit

This refers to the maximum load that can be carried in a given vehicle with a given type of tires — and the maximum air pressure needed to support that load. In your vehicle’s owner’s manual, you should be able to find the recommended cold inflation load limit. It’s important not to exceed the load limit (or over or under-inflate the tires) as this can lead to stability/handling problems and even tire failure. Always check tire pressure “cold.” Driving creates friction which creates heat; as the tires warm up, the air inside expands, increasing the pressure. Measuring air pressure after driving can give a false reading; you may actually be driving around on under-inflated tires.

6) Load index

This number corresponds to the load carrying capacity of the tire. The higher the number, the higher the load it can safely handle. As an example, a tire with a load index of 89 can safely handle 1,279 pounds — while a tire with a load rating of 100 can safely handle as much as 1,764 pounds. It’s important to stick with tires that have at least the same load rating as the tires that came originally with the vehicle — especially if it’s a truck used to haul heavy loads or pull a trailer. It’s ok to go with a tire that has a higher load rating than the original tires; just be careful to avoid tires with a lower load rating than specified for your vehicle, even if they are less expensive. Saving a few bucks on tires is not worth risking an accident caused by tire failure.

7) Radial vs. bias-ply tire

Bias-ply tires have their underlying plies laid at alternate angles less than 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread; radials have their plies laid at 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread. That’s the technical difference. The reason radial tires are dominant today is that they help improve fuel efficiency and handling; they also tend to dissipate heat better than bias-ply tires. No modern passenger cars come with bias-ply tires these days and their use is generally not recommended. (Exceptions might include older/antique vehicles that originally came equipped with bias-ply tires. Some RVs also used bias-ply tires, etc.) It is very important never to mix radial and bias-ply tires; dangerously erratic handling may result.

8) LT and MS tires

These designations indicate “Light Truck” and “Mud/Snow” — and are commonly found on tires fitted to SUVs and pick-ups. LT-rated tires are more general purpose, built primarily for on-road use — while MS-rated tires typically have more aggressive “knobby” tread patterns designed for better off-road traction.

9) Temporary Use Only

Many modern cars come with so-called “space-saver” tires which are smaller and lighter than a standard or full-size spare tire. They are designed to leave more room in the trunk and be easier for the average person to handle when a roadside tire change becomes necessary. However, they are not designed to be used for extended (or high-speed) driving. Your car will probably not handle (or stop) as well while the Space Saver tire is on – and you should keep your speed under 55 mph and avoid driving on the tire beyond what’s absolutely necessary to find a tire repair shop where you can have your damaged tire repaired or replaced.

10) Treadwear, Traction and Temperature ratings

Each tire has three separate ratings for Treadwear, Traction and Temperature.

Traction ratings run from AA to A to B and C — with C being the lowest on the scale. The ratings represent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement under controlled testing conducted by the government. C-rated tires are marginal and should be avoided. Never buy a tire with a Traction rating that isn’t at least equal to the minimum rating specified by the manufacturer of your vehicle.

Temperature ratings from A to B to C — with C being the minimum allowable for any passenger car tire. The ratings correspond to a given tire’s ability to dissipate heat under load; tires with lower ratings are more prone to heat-induced failure, especially if driven at high speeds (or when overloaded). As with Traction ratings, never buy a tire with a Temperature rating that’s less than specified for your vehicle.

Treadwear ratings differ from Traction and Temperature ratings in that they aren’t a measure of a tire’s built-in safety margin. Instead, these ratings — represented by a three digit number — give you an idea of the expected useful life of the tire according to government testing. A tire with a Treadwear rating of 150, for example, can be expected to last about 1.5 times as long as a tire with a Treadwear rating of 100. These are just guides, however. Your tires may last longer (or not) depending on such factors as how you drive, whether you maintain proper inflation pressure and rotate the tires per recommendations — and so on.

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www.ericpetersautos.com


4/27/23

Ford Super Duty Winch Kit | Accessories | Ford


Onboard Scales and Smart Hitch are 2 great features that can help you properly load your Ford truck when towing. Learn more in this video.

4/26/23

CTECH Manufacturing Company Overview


CTECH Manufacturing is a Wisconsin based Manufacturing company specializing in Aluminum Carts, Cabinets and Drawers. We have been in business for over 20 years. We started with deep roots in the race market and have serviced every major sanctioned race organization since that time. We bring that enthusiasm and quality to all of our product lines which ranges all markets from NASCAR race teams to Law Enforcement and University Facilities with our aluminum storage solutions.

Learn more at: https://www.ctechmanufacturing.com/

4/24/23

From the Floor of the Dearborn Truck Plant | Love on the Line | Ford


In this video, we meet Ingrid and Walter Gibbs, proud employees of Ford’s Dearborn Truck plant. Hear their story of how they met and built their own family at Ford. They give their all each and every day and have been committed since day one. As Ford Motor Company undergoes the biggest transformation in its 120 year history, Ford CEO Jim Farley is visiting Ford factories and assembly plants around the world to meet with teams and discuss the opportunities for improvement and growth. “From the Floor” captures some of their unique stories. Learn more about Ford here: https://www.ford.com/

4/21/23

LEND A HAND – AND A FEW MILES – TO YOUR FRIENDS USING VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE CHARGING ON F-150 LIGHTNING, F-150 HYBRID


  •  With innovative Pro Power Onboard, the all-electric  Ford F-150 Lightning™ truck and the F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid have the ability to let customers “share” range with other electric vehicle owners, allowing them to charge a friend’s vehicle during an outage or top off an EV battery for a neighbor
  • Customers can use their F-150 Lightning or F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid to charge electric vehicles from Ford and other manufacturers; this is estimated to add an average range of 20 miles per charging hour to a Mustang Mach-E SUV with extended range battery and rear-wheel drive, or 13 miles of charge per hour on an F-150 Lightning
  • Ford is using electric vehicle technology to offer customers innovative new capabilities – from deploying their F-150 Lightning battery to power their home in an outage to freeing up even more space for storage in the Mega Power Frunk

Usually when someone asks you to top them off, they’re holding a cool beverage in hand looking for a refill. But with the all-electric F-150 Lightning™, customers can take service to another level by “sharing” miles with other electric vehicles – those built by Ford and other manufacturers – giving people additional range through vehicle-to-vehicle charging.

With available Pro Power Onboard, the 2022 F-150 Lightning and F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid trucks are high-energy power sources on wheels with multiple uses, thanks to their onboard generators and high-capacity battery systems. Now, Ford is offering another unique benefit to that list: vehicle-to-vehicle charging using the Ford-exclusive Pro Power Onboard 240-volt outlet.

“There are hundreds of benefits to Ford Pro Power Onboard – and we’ve added one more,” said Patrick Soderborg, Ford e-powertrain systems engineer. “Taking power on the road or having extra energy at home brings a lot of convenience and security, and using the F-150 Lightning or F-150 hybrid to top off a friend’s electric vehicle or help them during an outage is one of the many new benefits our customers gain from our Built Ford Tough electrified trucks.”

When connected to an F-150 Lightning or F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid with the optional 9.6 or 7.2 kilowatt Pro Power Onboard1, the Ford Mobile Power Cord charger can deliver Level-2 charging that’s estimated to add an average range of 20 miles per charging hour on a Mustang Mach-E with extended-range battery and rear-wheel drive2. It will add up to 13 miles of charge per hour on the upcoming F-150 Lightning, and will add an average range of 10 miles per charging hour to a Ford E-Transit low-roof cargo van2.

Customers can easily take advantage of this capability, using a widely available power adaptor to link the Ford Mobile Power Cord to their truck. Once connected to the 240-volt Pro Power Onboard outlet, customers can use the Mobile Power Cord to charge a range of all-electric vehicles that use the SAE J1772 charge port. This includes the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Ford E-Transit electric van and the all-new 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup, as well as vehicles from other manufacturers3.  

The 2021 Ford F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid pickup has an available 7.2 kilowatt Pro Power Onboard generator that can be used to power tools, accessories and the Ford Mobile Power Cord. This spring, the all-new 2022 F-150 Lightning – the first full-size battery electric pickup from Ford – will debut with the available 9.6 kilowatt Pro Power Onboard power source.

Electric vehicles open doors to new customer benefits

Just as cell phones and the internet changed our way of life, electric vehicles are poised to do the same with a wide range of new services and features. Leveraging the electric power generation and storage available in the new F-150 Lightning and F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid, Ford is building in new features that give customers functionality, convenience and capability.

With F-150 Lightning, its power source can even be used to power a home using Ford Intelligent Backup Power. Instead of installing a home generator or battery backup, the truck can be used to power a typical-size home up to three days in the event if a power outage4. The compact electric powertrain also allowed Ford to create the first Mega Power Frunk – a front trunk that not only offers multiple power outlets but also provides up to 14 cu.-ft. of lockable storage.

“There are so many new opportunities to innovate with features and functions made possible only through electrification,” said Soderborg. “This really hit home during the Texas power crisis last February, which left millions in the cold. F-150 Hybrid helped many Texans keep warm and powered up during those difficult times thanks to Pro Power Onboard – and we’re trying to do even more with F-150 Lightning.”

To learn more about Ford electric vehicles, go to Ford.com/electric.

1See owner's Manual for important operating instructions.

2Range and charge time based on manufacturer computer engineering simulations and EPA-estimated range calculation methodology. The charging rate decreases as battery reaches full capacity. Your results may vary based on peak charging times and battery state of charge. Actual vehicle range varies with conditions such as external environment, vehicle use, vehicle maintenance, lithium-ion battery age, and state of health.

3See owners manual for important operating instructions.

4When home is properly equipped and home transfer switch disconnects home from the grid. Based on 30 kWh use per day using the F-150 Lightning with the extended-range battery.  Your results may vary depending on energy usage.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, that is committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams.  The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for and deepen the loyalty of those customers.  Ford designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of connected, increasingly electrified passenger and commercial vehicles:  Ford trucks, utility vehicles, vans and cars, and Lincoln luxury vehicles.  The company is pursuing leadership positions in electrification, connected vehicle services and mobility solutions, including self-driving technology, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company.  Ford employs about 184,000 people worldwide.  More information about the company, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company is available at corporate.ford.com.With innovative Pro Power Onboard, the all-electric 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning™ truck and the F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid have the ability to let customers “share” range with other electric vehicle owners, allowing them to charge a friend’s vehicle during an outage or top off an EV battery for a neighbor


4/17/23

Knapheide Aluminum PGTB Gooseneck


4/16/23

Everything You Need to Know About the All-New 2023 Super Duty


This one is for the builders. The next-generation 2023 Ford F-Series Super Duty® expands what can be done with a heavy-duty truck, with available features like Pro Power Onboard™ to run a jobsite, and the Ford Pro™suite of software and services to accelerate business productivity. A modern workhorse, this is the most upfit-friendly truck Ford has ever built, targeting unrivaled maximum payload and towing capacity, receives an all-new standard 6.8-liter V8 gas engine and new high-output 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V8 targeting unmatched horsepower and torque. Disclaimers: Max. torque and horsepower for diesel based on 6.7L High Output Power Stroke® V8 Turbo Diesel; and Max. torque and horsepower for gasoline based on 7.3L V8 engine. Class is Full-Size Pickups over 8,500lbs. GVWR. Payload, towing capacity, horsepower and torque ratings based on premium fuel per SAE J1349® standard. Your results may vary. Horsepower and torque are independent attributes and may not be achieved simultaneously. Max towing capacity rating achieve with gooseneck towing on F-450 Regular Cab with available 6.7L HO diesel engine and Max Tow Package. Max. towing varies based on cargo, vehicle configuration, accessories and number of passengers. Class is Full-Size Pickups over 8,500lbs. GVWR. Max payload on F350 DRW Regular Cab 4x2 XL trim with gas Heavy-Duty Payload Package. Maximum payload is delivered when no additional options or accessories are added to this configuration. See label on door jamb for carrying capacity of a specific vehicle. Class is Full-Size Pickups over 8,500lbs. GVWR. Class is Full-Size Pickups over 8,500 lbs. GVWR. See owner’s manual for important operating instructions.

4/13/23

Boxlink™ | Ford How-To | Ford


Continuing the build up of my 2018 Ford F150, in this video, I show you how to install the Boxlink tie down system on your truck. This is a simple installation of the Boxlink plates and cleats, which will be a useful accessory to any Ford truck with that mounting option.

4/09/23

SAFE STEPS Road Safety: Motorcycles


We all have a role in road safety! So follow these SAFE STEPS to play your part and help save lives. - Stay alert and avoid distractions - - Walk in safe places - - Stop, Look, Listen, Cross - SAFE STEPS Road Safety is a pan-Asian public service initiatives aimed to raise awareness and provide clear and simple life-saving educational messages on road safety. Acclaimed actress and producer, Michelle Yeoh is the SAFE STEPS Road Safety Ambassador. This program is created and developed by Prudence Foundation, in partnership with National Geographic Channel and the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). All SAFE STEPS Road Safety tips have been approved by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). For more information please visit: www.safesteps.com


4/06/23

4/04/23

Code Name: Project T3 | Coming 2025

BlueOval City, Ford’s all-new mega-campus in West Tennessee, is taking shape and preparing to build Ford’s next-gen electric truck, code named Project T3, in 2025. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to revolutionize America’s truck, Project T3 is short for “Trust The Truck” – a code name that stuck after the development team made it their rallying cry. Melding 100 years of Ford truck know-how with world-class electric vehicle, software and aerodynamics talent, Project T3 will be a platform for endless innovation and capability, a truck people can trust in the digital age – one that’s fully updatable, constantly improving, and supports towing, hauling, exportable power and endless new innovations owners will want. #BlueOvalCity #BlueOval_TN #BuiltFordProud

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