difference between tire brands but same model number??

DaRock42

Member
Sep 14, 2002
88
0
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I just bought 2 new tires for my car...they're different from the other 2 tires already on my car. All 4 tires are the same model number but both pairs of tires are from different brands.

My questions is: Besides the threading style, is there a difference in size of the tires??

I'm running on the assumption that like CD-Rs or DVD-Rs, all are basically the same but the brand name.
 

jaybert

Diamond Member
Mar 6, 2001
3,523
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Same model number? If they are different brands they wouldnt have the same model number. Are you talking about the sizes? Like 225/45/17? That just means your tires are the same width/diameter. Also, it matters what kind of car you have whether or not you can run different types of tires on each axle.
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
What are you referring to as the model number? 195/55R15 isn't a model, it's a size.
 

AMDZen

Lifer
Apr 15, 2004
12,589
0
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If you think all CD-R's and DVD-R's are the same, except the brand name, wait a few years and see how badly those things deteriorate. There are huge quality differences between the different blanks.

A good rule of them to remember is, if their made in Taiwan their Junk, and if their made in Japan their much better. Not always true but for the most part is. This is confusing too, because there are really only 6-7 OEM's, companies just rebrand the disc's and sell them as their own. You have to actually do research to see if what your getting is good or not.

So in that sense, yes - like most everything in the world, everything is made by someone and simply rebranded. This is true for tires as with anything else. But it doesn't necessarily mean that the brand you got was the same as the brand you had. It just depends.
 

AMDZen

Lifer
Apr 15, 2004
12,589
0
76
LoL. I just thought about that. Are you looking at the 215/45Z16 number?? LoL, oh wow. Just wow.
 

dandruff

Golden Member
Jan 28, 2000
1,407
6
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Originally posted by: DaRock42
same model number but both pairs of tires are from different brands.

thats the size.


My questions is: Besides the threading style, is there a difference in size of the tires??.

thats the TREAD

go to tirerack article copied below:

The tire size branded on the sidewall provides a significant amount of information about the tire's intended purpose, dimensions, load capacity and high temperature/high speed durability.

Our primary example will be based on variations of the 225/50R16 size, although other sizes will appear where appropriate.

Service Type
Most tire sizes begin with a letter or letters that identify the type of vehicle and/or type of service for which they were designed. The common indicators are as follows:

P225/50R16 91S

P = When a tire size begins with a "P," it signifies the tire is a "P-metric" size that was designed to be fitted on vehicles that are primarily used as passenger vehicles. This includes cars, minivans, sport utility vehicles and light duty pickup trucks (typically 1/4- and 1/2-ton load capacity). The use of P-metric sizes began in the late 1970s and they are the most frequently used type of tire size today.

225/50R16 92S

If there isn't a letter preceding the three-digit numeric portion of a tire size, it signifies the tire is a "Metric" size (also called "Euro-metric" because these sizes originated in Europe). While Metric tire sizes are primarily used on European cars, they are also used on vans and sport utility vehicles. Euro-metric sizes are dimensionally equivalent to P-metric sizes, but typically differ subtly in load carrying capabilities.

T125/90D16 98M

T = If a tire size begins with a "T," it signifies the tire is a "Temporary Spare" ("space saver" or "mini spare") that was designed to be used temporarily only until a flat tire can be repaired or replaced.

LT245/75R16 108/104S

LT = If a tire size begins with "LT," it signifies the tire is a "Light Truck-metric" size that was designed to be used on vehicles that are capable of carrying heavy cargo or towing large trailers. This includes medium and heavy-duty (typically 3/4- and 1-ton load capacity) pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles and full-size vans. Tires branded with the "LT" designation are the "little brothers" of 18-wheel tractor-trailer tires and are designed to provide substantial reserve capacity to accept the additional stresses of carrying heavy cargo.

ST225/75R15

ST = If a tire size begins with "ST," it signifies the tire is a "Special Trailer Service" size that was designed to only be used on boat, car or utility trailers. ST-sized tires should never be used on cars, vans or light trucks.

Section Width
Following the letter(s) that identify the type of vehicle and/or type of service for which the tire was designed, the three-digit numeric portion identifies the tire's "Section Width" (cross section) in millimeters.

P225/50R16 91S

The 225 indicates this tire is 225 millimeters across from the widest point of its outer sidewall to the widest point of its inner sidewall when mounted and measured on a specified width wheel. This measurement is also referred to as the tire's section width. Because many people think of measurements in inches, the 225mm can be converted to inches by dividing the section width in millimeters by 25.4 (the number of millimeters per inch).

225mm ÷ 25.4 = 8.86"

Sidewall Aspect Ratio
Typically following the three digits identifying the tire's Section Width in millimeters is a two-digit number that identifies the tire's profile or aspect ratio.

P225/50R16 91S

The 50 indicates that this tire size's sidewall height (from rim to tread) is 50% of its section width. The measurement is the tire's section height, and also referred to as the tire's series, profile or aspect ratio. The higher the number, the taller the sidewall; the lower the number, the lower the sidewall. We know that this tire size's section width is 225mm and that its section height is 50% of 225mm. By converting the 225mm to inches (225 ÷ 25.4 = 8.86") and multiplying it by 50% (.50) we confirm that this tire size results in a tire section height of 4.43". If this tire were a P225/70R16 size, our calculation would confirm that the size would result in a section height of 6.20", approximately a 1.8-inch taller sidewall.

Internal Construction
A letter (R in this case) that identifies the tire's internal construction follows the two digits used to identify the aspect ratio.

P225/50R16, P225/50ZR16

The R in the P225/50R16 91S size identifies that the tire has a Radial construction in which the tire's body plies "radiate" out from the imaginary center of the wheel. Radial tires are by far the most popular type of tire today representing over 98% of all tires sold.

If the R in the size was replaced with a D (225/50D16), it would identify that the internal tire body plies crisscross on a Diagonal and that the tire has a "bias ply" construction. Tires using this construction are for light truck and spare tire applications.

If the R in the size was replaced with a B (225/50B16), it would identify that the tire body plies not only crisscross the tire on a diagonal as before, but that they are reinforced with belts under the tread area. This type of tire construction is called "Belted." Tires using this construction are practically extinct.

Speed Rating
Today, the only tires that continue to include the speed rating "in" the tire size (P225/50ZR16) are Z-speed rated tires. In this case, following the two digits used to identify the aspect ratio are the letters ZR to identify the tire's speed rating (Z) and its internal construction (R). Since 1991, all other speed ratings are identified in the tire's Service Description (which will be covered shortly).

Tire and Wheel Diameter
P225/50R16 91S

The 16 indicates the tire and wheel diameter designed to be matched together.

Tires that have a rim diameter expressed in inches (P225/50R16, as well as 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26 and 28) are called "inch rim" sizes, are the most common type of tire size and are used on most cars, minivans, vans, sport utility vehicles and light duty light trucks.

While not as common, two additional "unique" types of tire/wheel diameters are still in use today.

Tires and wheels that have a rim diameter expressed in "half" inches (8.00R16.5LT, as well as, 14.5, 15.5, 17.5 and 19.5) are used on some heavy-duty trailers, heavy-duty light trucks and box vans.

Tires and wheels that have a rim diameter expressed in millimeters (190/65R390, as well as, 365 and 415) are called millimetric sizes. Michelin initiated millimetric sizes for their TRX tires that saw limited use on many different car models in the late 1970s and 1980s.

In the near future, PAX System run flat tires (currently under development by Goodyear, Michelin and Pirelli) will be introducedas an integrated wheel/tire system on a very limited basis as Original Equipment in America. PAX System tire and wheel diameters will also be expressed in millimeters (440A), however the "A" following the rim size signifies that these tires feature "asymmetric" beads in which the outside bead and inside bead will actually be of different diameters.

All of these "u nique" tire/wheel diameters were developed specifically because the tire and wheel design or intended vehicle use required them to be different than conventional tires and wheels. All of these tires and wheels feature bead profiles that have a different shape than traditional "inch rim" sizes.

Tires and wheels with unique rim diameters should never be combined with traditional "inch rim" tires and wheels.

It is critical that the tire and wheel diameters are always confirmed to match before the tire is mounted on the wheel.

Service Description
P225/50R16 91S

The 91S represents the tire's Service Description. A Service Description identifies the tire's Load Index and Speed Rating. Service Descriptions are required on all speed rated (except for Z-speed rated) tires manufactured since 1991.
 

DaRock42

Member
Sep 14, 2002
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Originally posted by: iamwiz82
What are you referring to as the model number? 195/55R15 isn't a model, it's a size.

my fault...when I said model number, I was referring to the "size". Basically all those numbers after the Brand name. I am a newb :confused: at this and apologize for the error. :beer:

But after reading the posts, I understand that all brands make different styles of tires but the size will remain the same.

For Example: 1993 Ford Focus (w/ stock rims) can have many different styles of tires (threading) but the there can only be one size (one set of those numbers)

correct me if i'm wrong :eek:
 

AmdEmAll

Diamond Member
Aug 27, 2000
6,688
2
81
a 15" rim has to have a 15" tire but the width and height of the tire can be different. You are then risking hitting the fender and possibly other problems. Other then size tires are not all the same. Some are absolute rubbish and some are very good. You should check out tirerack for reviews of tires. It's amazing how some expensive tires are crap while some cheap ones can be quite good.
 

DaRock42

Member
Sep 14, 2002
88
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i saw some reviews on tires...can you actually notice noise or comfort differences between tires...or is it just a placebo effect??
 

torpid

Lifer
Sep 14, 2003
11,631
11
76
Originally posted by: DaRock42
i saw some reviews on tires...can you actually notice noise or comfort differences between tires...or is it just a placebo effect??

You can notice comfort ("sporty" / firm versus "luxurious" / soft easily. Noise is not quite as pronounced but still noticeable.
 

Caesar

Golden Member
Nov 5, 1999
1,686
178
106
Originally posted by: DaRock42
i saw some reviews on tires...can you actually notice noise or comfort differences between tires...or is it just a placebo effect??

Yes u sure can notice noise. In my integra I used to have Pirelli (Supersport or something) and they very noisy but then I bought some cheap Kumho ecstsa (sp?) and they were much quieter. Right now in my prelude I have Pirelli PZero and they are again noisy but not too much to bother me though.