Latest Tire News, Wheel Guides & Car Tips | Performance Plus Tire Blog

A hot hatch is an informal or slang term for a high-performance derivative of a three to five door hatchback automobile. The term is more popular in Europe due to the popularity of the hatchback configuration. Within the United States they are commonly named sport compacts, however, this deviates from the original meaning of the hot hatch terminology. Vehicles of this class are typically based on a budget, family-oriented automobile, and equipped with improved suspension and a more powerful engi [...more]

California based car manufacture Telsa motors expanded there partnership with the second largest car manufacture, Daimler-Benz today. Daimler has acquired a 10% stake in the company. The partnership will help equip Mercedes-Benz vehicles with Tesla’s technology of lithium-ion batteries. Daimler has already been experimenting with their batteries in a fleet of 100 smart cars, which are moving into limited production. With this agreement, Mercedes plans to come out with there first battery powe [...more]

Practicing good driving habits will keep your tires in tip-top shape and will sustain tire life. In addition to monthly tire pressure check-ups, it’s a good idea for all motorists to install a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). These systems can help detect loss of inflation pressure and prevent damage to the tire. Another way for drivers to keep a close watch on their wheels, TPMS’s signal when tires are 25% under inflated – a federal regulation. However, this warning may be too late to [...more]

Lug nuts are extremely important to the safety of your vehicle. Although they may be small, these screws are essential to the integrity of the fastening system and needed to properly secure the wheel to the hub. If lug nuts are not fixed on right, the entire wheel installation process is at risk. A lug nut that is not tight enough will eventually loosen, resulting in damage to the wheel or separation from the vehicle.  One that is fastened too tightly can possibly crack during an installation. [...more]

A proper wheel installation is all about achieving the perfect fit for your vehicle. There are certain techniques that ensure your self-install will involve the necessary safety precautions, so that your car is fully prepared to take on the road. Below you'll find out how to fasten the wheel and hub parts with precision. 1. Check for a flush fit: Before moving forward with mounting the tires to the wheels, make sure that the hub face and wheel fit is flush. You'll be able to do this by installi [...more]

Preparing for a wheel installation is almost as important as actually performing one. Taking the time to inspect your tire parts may prevent any unexpected setbacks from occurring during the installation. A good installation, like most DIY projects, starts with an organized, careful approach. To prepare for a wheel installation, follow these steps: 1. Inspect the threads: Make sure that the nuts and studs or bolts and hub threads of the fastening system are not covered with any grease, dirt or [...more]

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 With the auto industry still trying to regain its footing in the market, many people are looking for new ways to spruce up their ride without replacing it. Rims can add an entirely new look and feel to a car, making even the oldest Oldsmobile look [...more]

In part two of the tire size series, we explore the second portion of the sidewall description, still using the tire size of a typical passenger car as a reference, P225/50R16 91S. With this detailed description of your tire sidewall information, you'll be able to pick out replacement tires and rims when the time comes for a change. Educating yourself on the important facts about your tires and wheels will make taking care of your vehicle easier. First letter after  Sidewall Aspect Ratio = Int [...more]

Tire rims come in a variety of shapes, sizes and looks. Located on your tire is information regarding the recommended size you need for the specific tire model (check out last week's post for clear directions on this). You can also find out which wheel size best suites your ride if you look in the owner's manual. Many cars can handle rims that are larger than the ones they are fastened with when they are first manufactured; specifications inside your manual should be able to guide you in your pu [...more]

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Making sure that your lug nuts are good and tight on your wheels is a high priority. The installation process should not be rushed or else you run the risk for damaging the surface of your shiny new set of rims. Below are some tricks of the trade th [...more]

No longer do tires simply function as a vehicle's transport mechanism; the tough tread is now being used to provide our feet with safe travels. Shoe manufacturer Timberland will soon launch it's "green" model of work boots, made from 42% recycled tires. Like many of today's new products produced by Eco-conscious companies, this innovative use of recycled rubber is a step towards cleaning up our landfills and creating a cleaner environment. With the help of Green Rubber, Inc., a company devoted [...more]

On every tire there is a code that provides specific size information. This obscure set of numbers and letters is located on the rubber right above the rim. Important sizing information is stated in this order: The the height of the tire, width of the tire (or the distance across the tread), and the size of rims. The video below provides a clear depiction of how to interpret these numbers.

The life of your tires is directly related to the effort you put into protecting them. Typically a tire lasts 50,000 to 60,000 miles. Tires also tell you a lot about your vehicle -- whether its driven on rough terrain or pavement, if it's a speed demon or slow and steady, and if it's traveled on road trips or simply seen the route to work. The points below will help you spot if you need a tire change, and also provide you with tips on how to extend tire life: 1. Check your tire pressure regularl [...more]

Starting April 4th thru May 2nd, Bridgestone is giving out Visa prepaid cards to every customer who buys a set of four tires (the list below provides information on the exact styles). The rebate card is valued up to $100 and sent by mail to our customers who purchase from the popular tire line. Now's a great time to purchase a set of tires! Eligible Tires: $100                                                       $50 Dueler A/T REVO                                 Dueler APT III/IV Dueler [...more]

It's all the rage in the tire world, and for good reason -- nitrogen inflation improves a car's handling, fuel efficiency and tire life. Nitrogen also allows for cooler running tire temperatures and improved fuel economy. These safety features make filling up with nitrogen a smarter choice for all types of drivers, including truck operators and average car owners. Proper tire pressure is vital to the livelihood of your tires. Underinflation can cause decreased gas mileage -- about 3.3 percent l [...more]

Tire rotation extends the life of your tires by preserving balanced handling and traction. It is a very important maintenance duty that ensures tire safety, and should be done every 5,000 to 10,000 miles. An activity that can be performed on your own with the proper tools, tire rotation is relatively simple and straightforward. All you need is a torque wrench and a car jack. Here are the basic steps to rotate your tire: 1. Park your car on level ground. Block the tires on the opposite sid [...more]

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels announced that they will be sponsoring the 2009 Off-Road SXS Stadium Racing Series, which kicks off February 21st at the Perris Auto Speedway in Perris, CA. Known for their off-road, Baja and short-course stadium racing, Mickey Thompson is a title sponsor of the short course racing series.  All SXS Stadium Series racers will receive substantial sponsorship and contingency program from the legendary tire maker. "We have watched this racing serie [...more]

Winter tires may soon be mandatory in colder climates as Canada pursues research on whether traffic accidents most often involve vehicles not equipped with snow treads. P.E.I police recently asked the transportation minister to monitor the number of collisions with cars lacking appropriate tires. Quebec already requires that all drivers install winter tires after noticing that the small percentage of cars without such safety components (about 10 percent in 2005) made up the bulk of traffic accid [...more]

Rims have a cult-like following from the most passionate of car lovers. They come in a variety different styles, sizes and brands, and can bring an instant update to the look and feel of any vehicle. Wheel coverings are an easy way to customize a ride and set it apart from all the other Escalades or beemers on the road. Shiny, flashy, subtle, or spectacular -- rims reveal a driver's connection to his or her car.   Whether they're eye-catching or an eye sore, it's guaranteed that there is a [...more]

Barrett-Jackson, the annual car collector event that gathers auto lovers from around the nation, is held this week in Scottsdale, AZ. Being located just miles from the extravaganza, it's hard to miss the pile-ups of tricked-out and souped-up classics making their way into the tents. This year's event will auction off a record fourteen charity vehicles. Some of the beauties on show and up for auction include a stunning 1934 Ford Custom Coupe, a 1957 fire red Ford Thunderbird and a cream-puff yel [...more]

Ohio is the latest environmentally conscious state to join the mission for a greener world from the ground up: The city of Lima is working towards securing a road project through the state department of natural resources that proposes using asphalt made with ground scrap tires for new and improved city roadways. Asphalt rubber has been around for several years, and its utilization is continuing to grow throughout the country. Benefits of an asphalt upgrade in Lima include a 900-tire landfill re [...more]

With winter officially upon us, and sleet and snow creating slippery street surfaces, it's important to make sure that your tires are well-equipped for slick conditions. Many car accidents typically brought on by icy highways and frigid temperatures can be avoided if we take the time to verify that our vehicles are in tip-top shape. Here are four tips that will hopefully prevent unnecessary accidents from occurring in your area: Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Traction is essentia [...more]

For car enthusiasts concerned about keeping up on the latest trends, sometimes the most buzz-worthy car parts come from distant locations. Originating in the Netherlands, Vredestein tires have become a popular performance brand name known for their sleek look and quiet capabilities. Customers choose the tires to achieve a smooth ride with ultimate control, which make them especially popular for winter driving. Not only is the tire brand garnering attention within the auto market, but its image [...more]

A variety of factors go into the fuel economy of a car. Although tires are not often the first feature that energy-conscious consumers look into when measuring the gas efficiency of a vehicle, tires do indeed contribute to the way in which a car uses fuel. The role of tires in gas efficiency has been a hot topic of discussion in the past: President-Elect Obama made the claim in April 2008 that tire inflation boosts gas mileage -- a remark that was initially mocked, but turns out to be supported [...more]

Resilient Technologies and the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Polymer Engineering Center are working together to perfect a "non-pneumatic tire" that will support excess armor weight, survive IED attacks and still be able to make a clean, 50 mph getaway when escaping enemy combat. The airless tire looks like a honeycomb encased with a thick tread for ground grip. The four-year, $18 million project is in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense. Resilient pursued the development in res [...more]