ALL TIRE is about taking care of the customer, and making sure that satisfaction is JOB #1.
One of the HIGHEST RATED Tire shops in MN
One of the HIGHEST RATED Tire shops in MN
Tire design plays a crucial role in vehicle performance, safety, and comfort. Among various tire characteristics, the shoulder design—whether open or closed—significantly impacts handling, traction, noise levels, and wear patterns. Understanding the differences between open and closed shoulder tires can help drivers choose the right tires for their specific driving needs.
The shoulder of a tire is the area where the tread meets the sidewall. Essentially, it is the outer portion of the tread on each side of the tire that contacts the road. Tire manufacturers design the shoulder with specific patterns that influence how the tire manages water, slush, snow, or mud as you drive.
Closed (Rib-Type) Shoulders: Have no openings and appear continuous.
Open (Block-Type) Shoulders: Feature gaps or channels between tread blocks to allow weather and debris to escape.
Open shoulder tires feature grooves or channels between the tread blocks on the shoulder area. These voids create an “open” pattern that helps water, mud, and debris escape more easily.
Channels prevent hydroplaning by efficiently moving water away from the contact patch.
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Often used in off-road or all-terrain tires to shed mud and stones, maintaining performance.
Open spaces can generate more noise as air passes through the grooves.
Tread blocks may wear quicker due to reduced surface contact with the road.
Closed shoulder tires have tread blocks that are tightly packed together, with minimal or no grooves between them. This design creates a continuous “closed” appearance on the shoulder.
Continuous tread blocks reduce air noise, resulting in a smoother and quieter drive.
Larger tread blocks often wear more evenly and slowly.
Provides more surface area contact during cornering, improving handling on dry pavement.
May not channel water as effectively, increasing the hydroplaning risk in heavy rain.
Less effective at shedding mud and debris, making them less suitable for rough terrain.
The ideal shoulder design depends on your typical driving conditions and priorities:
Open Shoulder Tires: Best for wet, snowy, or off-road conditions due to improved traction and self-cleaning capabilities.
Closed Shoulder Tires: Preferable for highway driving and dry pavement, offering a quieter ride and longer tread life.
Many all-season tires strike a balance, providing moderate performance in various conditions.
Understanding the differences between open and closed shoulder tires helps drivers make informed decisions based on performance needs and driving environments. Whether prioritizing traction, noise reduction, or tread life, selecting the appropriate shoulder design contributes to safer and more comfortable driving experiences.
What tires are on your car now?
Did you like your old tires? (Smooth ride, good handling, long wearing, etc.?)
What do you want your new tires to do?
How important is crisp handling and quick stopping compared to smooth ride or long wear?
What kind of “look” are you after?
What level of convenience, service and warranties do you expect?
When you answer these questions, you narrow the choices to ones that fit your specific needs and wants. It helps the salesperson, too. He or she won’t waste your time discussing tires you don’t want.
Look in your automobile owner’s manual. You’ll find the size fitted on the car originally. Unless you’ve changed wheels, that’s the recommended size. The tire size is written on the tire’s sidewall.
Example – Tire sizing as it appears on the sidewall: P215/65R15 89H
P — Passenger car tire
215 — Width of tire in millimeters
65 — Ratio of height to width (aspect ratio)
R — Radial
15 — Diameter of wheel in inches
89H —Load index & Speed Symbol
“P” indicates a passenger (car-type) tire. Other options would be no “P” indicating metric sizing (essentially the same as “P”-sizing, which has its heritage in Europe) or “LT” for light truck. Light truck tires are designed for heavier loads and more rugged service conditions. Width of the tire in millimeters: The higher the number the wider the tire. Aspect Ratio: The height of the sidewall section compared to the width of the tire.
Example – If this number was a 50, then the tire section is half as tall as it is wide.
Short sidewalls deliver crisp handling. Tall sidewalls give a smoother ride. For a specific tire width, the smaller this number, the shorter the sidewall.
“R” indicates radial construction. Unless you specify the other option, bias (which would have a “D” (diagonal) or “B” (belted bias) in this position instead of an “R”), you are purchasing a radial tire.
This indicates the distance across the "doughnut hole" of a tire in simple terms. You must match wheel diameter and the tire opening. A tire with a 15 size designation will not work on a 14" wheel, and vice versa. Improperly matching of wheel and tire size can cause serious injury or death during installation.
Includes the load index (a number) and a speed symbol (a letter). About load index, remember: keep the number the same as or greater than the original tires’ load index. That number stands for a specific weight carrying capability. Key is that the higher the number, the greater load carrying capacity. So keep the number the same or higher, because your tires are matched to the weight of your car. Never choose a tire with a lower load carrying capacity than the original equipment tire size.
Each letter corresponds to a speed rating on an indoor test wheel:
N = 87 mph
P = 93 mph
Q = 99 mph
S = 112 mph
T = 118 mph
U = 124 mph
H = 130 mph
V = 149 mph
Z = 150+ mph
W = 169 mph
Y = 188 mph
We recommend that the replacement tires match the speed symbol of the original tires since these match the speed capability of the vehicle.
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) is a system developed by the Department of Transportation which helps consumers compare tires in the areas of treadwear traction and temperature.
Example – A tire with a UTQG of 300 AB: The 300 is treadwear, which represents the tire’s comparative wear when measured against the government-mandated tire which is rated at 100. So this tire wore three times longer than the control tire.
Because of variations in operation conditions, the treadwear grade cannot be used to predict actual wearout mileage. It can be used to predict the relative wear rate of tires with different UTQG wear rates.
Traction and temperature are graded A (superior), B (good), or C (average). Traction indicates the level of grip the tire possesses. Temperature rating deals with the tire’s ability to disperse built-up heat. Heat causes rubber to deteriorate over time, so dispersing heat increases tire life.
Each tire manufacturer determines UTQG rating for their products. Realize that UTQG’s are more accurate when comparing tires within the same line versus tires from two different makers.
Inspect your tires regularly. Properly cared-for tires typically last 40,000 to 80,000 miles, depending on the application. Practice good driving habits, which will help keep your tires in good condition. Your tire maintenance checklist includes:
Pressure
It is important to have the proper air pressure in your tires, as under inflation is the leading cause of tire failure. The right amount is specified by your vehicle manufacturer and is also listed in your owner’s manual.
Alignment
Misalignment of wheels in the front or rear can cause uneven and rapid treadwear. Have your alignment checked periodically.
Rotation
Sometimes irregular wear can be corrected by rotating your tires. Consult your vehicle owner’s manual or your tire dealer for the appropriate rotation pattern for your vehicle.
Tread
Tires must be replaced when the tread is worn down to 1/16″ in order to prevent skidding and hydroplaning.
Joe’s All Tire – Expert care for tires and auto repairs, keeping your vehicle safe and road-ready.
