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3 important factors to consider before buying new tires

3 important factors to consider before buying new tires

New all-season tires last for about six to seven years with minimal use and about three to five years if you drive about 12,000 to 15,000 miles a year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that worn-out tires cause 11,000 accidents every year. To ensure your safety and others on the road, you must change your tires as and when required. Before you buy them, keep the following points in mind:

Know to read the tire codes
Learn about the tire code to know the right tire for your automobile. If you look carefully, you will notice a code with letters and numbers on the sidewall of your tire. Knowing the tire codes is important to buy similar or better tires that fit your wheel. Some of the relevant codes you need to know when you buy a new tire are:

Tire type – the first alphabets indicate the tire type

  • P for passenger cars
  • LT for light truck tires
  • ST stands for special trailer tires
  • T for temporary or spare tires

Tread width
The three-digit number represents the tread width, the distance between sidewall edges in millimeters, followed by a slash and a ratio.

Aspect ratio
A two-digit number follows the slash and indicates the tire height from bead to tread. It is a percentage that shows how much of the tire you can see outside the rim flange in comparison to its actual width.

Internal construction – R, D, or B letters follow the two-digit aspect ratio

  • R for radial tires (common type)
  • D for bias-ply construction (ideal for trailers, farm machinery, and construction equipment)
  • B for belted tire (rare to find)

Wheel diameter
It is a two-digit number after the construction alphabet, which indicates the wheel size in inches from one end to the other.

Load index
A two-digit number indicates how much load or weight the tire can support while inflated. This information can help prevent drivers from loading weight that is more than the load index.

Speed rating
There are 14-speed rating symbols and corresponding speed limits. If you drive faster than the speed limit, the tire wears out more quickly.

Expiration date
Yes, tires also have an expiry date that is six years from their manufacturing date. Note the date and ensure you change the tire.

The need for new tires
Though the average life of a tire can be between three to five years, it is important not to delay installing new ones even if they are in decent condition. Here are some tips to see if you need new tires:

  • Check for the expiration date mentioned on the side wall of your tire. Do not use the tire way beyond the date; it may pose a threat to the driver.
  • Place a coin headfirst across several tire treads. If you see two-thirds of Lincoln’s head, the tires are safe enough to be used for some time. But if you see his entire head, it is time to replace them.
  • Tires have tread wear indicators that lead to a jarring sound. It is time to change the tires if you hear the noise. Also, your tread might be in good condition in some parts of the tire and worn out in others. You must consider replacing them too. And generally, it is advisable to remove the tires if you notice visible damage like cuts, cracks, bulges, or blisters.
  • If you feel frequent vibrations from the steering wheel while driving, it can indicate that your tires are old and defective.

Know the type of tire
Automobile manufacturers recommend using the best tire suited for the car’s optimal function and opting for the same tires that came with your car while buying. If you want a new brand of tires, choose one that meets your requirements based on your driving style, road type, and climate. While soft rubber tires are ideal for winters, giving extra grip on slippery roads, hard rubber tires last longer in summers. You can also choose all-weather and all season-tires that are ideally suited for most driving situations. Make sure you do not opt for substandard options as they might not be durable. 

Now, let’s look at some brands that offer the best quality tires. 

Bridgestone
Bridgestone is one of the world’s largest tire companies producing passenger and motorcycle tires. They make tires for sports, luxury, and all-terrain vehicles and for every type of automobile. They also make tires that improve fuel efficiency. They are popular as the tires offer a well-balanced performance, keep drivers safe, and protect the vehicle. You can choose from an extensive range of tires based on your vehicle model, tire size, and type.

Firestone
Bridgestone acquired Firestone Tires in 1988. While Bridgestone tires are expensive, Firestone tires are comparatively cheaper. They make tires for all vehicles, including large trucks and trailers. You can choose from summer, winter, and all-weather tires. The tires are dependable and provide all-around performance.

Michelin
Michelin produces tires in 69 locations worldwide and provides tires to 170 countries. It is a global leader in making low-energy tires. They manufacture tires for bicycles, automobiles, heavy equipment, space shuttles, and aircraft.

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Top 7 beauty and fashion trends

Fashion trends are dynamic and go through constant change and innovation. While some styles have remained timeless for decades, some trends fail to impress and disappear without making an impact. The approach to beauty today focuses on sustainability, minimalism, inclusion, and no cruelty. The trends in beauty and fashion quite naturally follow similar lines. Based on these factors, some of the top beauty and fashion trends in the coming year are as follows: Skincare The buzzword in the last couple of years has been minimalism, especially for skin care. Women prefer to use lesser products for their skincare routines. Utilizing a bevy of cosmetics for everyday skin nourishment and enhancement is time-consuming, overwhelming, and may affect the skin negatively. Skincare trends focus on improving skin health and reducing the negative impact of long-term use of skin-related products. This move hopes to reduce the overuse of skincare and control the damage caused by chemical products. Microbiome skincare is a new trend, featuring prebiotic and probiotic components that nourish the skin. Hybrid beauty Hybrid cosmetics combine multiple active ingredients that now work both as skin care products and as cosmetics. It reduces the time one spends on beauty routine and the number of products one needs to buy, saving money, effort, and time. Hybrid products not only treat and protect skin blemishes but also enhance the skin as they contain a layer of makeup. Beauty Balm and Color or Complexion correction are two of the early hybrid beauty products. New products that combine skincare and cosmetics to correct acne, pigmentation, and wrinkles are likely to be the trend in hybrid beauty. Wellness products With the rising awareness of the overlapping impact of wellness and beauty on each other, there is a demand for new products and services that care for how one looks and feels. Nail art, manicure, pedicure, and hair care products not only enhance a person's appearance but also offer healthful benefits to a customer. Similarly, new hairstyles can improve a person's appearance, add confidence, and make them feel good about themselves. Products that focus on rejuvenating and repairing scalp and repair balding are likely to trend in the future. Many customers reject chemical applications and treatments and prefer organic, plant-based treatments that are good for both the short and long term. These products are safe for people with allergies and sensitive skin, allowing them to use cosmetics and makeup products without hesitation. Fashion trends Leisure bottoms Joggers, sweats, and comfy culottes are bottoms that provide comfort to men and women. They are available in multiple fabric options, sizes, and patterns. They are mostly elasticized and stretch at the waist and flatter every body shape. It is ideal for relaxing in your home or for casual weekend party wear. You can also find leisure bottoms that you can wear for the office. Cotton and spandex blends are common fabrics for leisure bottoms. Slub jersey blends of tissue jersey, rayon, and bamboo blends are lightweight and ideal for loungewear. We can also expect new blends of cotton and wool that are ideal for winters. Leisure bottoms are versatile as you can match them with tees, blazers, hoodies, and zip-up jackets. Platform heels Platform heels are more comfortable than high heels, and their current popularity is expected to increase. You can expect to see more designs of platform heels in sandals, pumps, and boots. Platform wedges resembling cutout heels could be the rage for young adults and older women. Platform mules that do not have any back constraint around the foot's heel are also expected to come back into trend. Platform boots, too, are beginning to make an impact, and if you are a platform heel lover, you may have plenty of options to choose from big names and brands. The rising demand and popularity have made platform heels a number one option. Pleated skirts Pleated skirts no longer mean school uniforms. The world's leading designers are incorporating pleats in their mini and maxi skirts. Pleated skirts today add elegance and femininity to simple outfits. Tight pleats for maxi skirts and wider pleats on shorter skirts are expected to be more popular than ever. You can pair them with formal, casual, or dressy blouses or shirts based on the occasion you are dressing up for. The cutout trend The interest in wearing cutouts is rising, and new designs and releases from fashion powerhouses confirm that the two-year-old style may peak soon. From modest keyhole cuts to halter neck cutout maxi dresses, bodycon cutout dresses, and back cutout dresses, there is no shortage of options for the size and the position of the cutouts. While minimal cutouts can be worn for formal ceremonies, deeper cuts and waist tie-ups are ideal for casual occasions like a weekend party, a get-together, or hanging out with friends. Fitted cutout tops, mini skirts, pelvic cutouts in pants, and cutout crop tops are all expected to be trendy and best sellers in the fashion industry. Regardless of the outfit you choose, consider accessorizing with jewelry. The allure of jewelry will never fade, regardless of the time, circumstance, or season. Some modern jewelry options include look-at-me earrings, bold cuffs, colored stones, and gorgeous bejeweled purses.

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Avoid these 10 mistakes when buying a smartphone

With a wide choice of smartphones available, more often than not, you could end up buying a phone that does not work for you. There are no common denominators for choosing the right phone as the use and purpose vary for every individual. That said, to avoid being stuck with a device you will be unhappy with, here are ten common mistakes that one should avoid making before buying a smartphone: Not knowing your requirements Before buying a smartphone, know your expectations and requirements. If you want to communicate and watch music videos, the phone you need may be very different from a professional who may want to record and broadcast videos for their website. Knowing what you need helps you buy a phone that can support it rather than buying something that has too little or too many features. Not doing enough research Experts say that people buy a best-selling model or use commercials to decide what to buy. A commercial may emphasize appearance and design but not technical capabilities and functions. Search the internet, visit website brands, and read the reviews and comments that users have already left on a specific brand. Comparing multiple brands and models with features as filters can help you get an idea about what to buy. Buying a phone only for its appearance You need not be a techie, but it is important to be aware of the basic technical configurations of a smartphone. A good-looking phone with a stylish design or a large display is only a good buy if all the other technical features are equally attractive. Being unaware of processors Smartphone companies choose from more than 150 different kinds of smartphone processors. Apple, Bionic, Snapdragon, Exynos, Kirin, and Dimensity are some of the top iOS and Android processors. A powerful processor that includes a CPU and Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) makes the phone faster. It gives you an uninterrupted and seamless user experience if you use the phone for games or entertainment. A good processor can support 4G and 5G and help faster downloads and content uploads. Ignoring storage requirements RAM and storage capacity are very fundamental criteria for buying a smartphone. If you buy a phone with only internal storage without the provision for a memory card, you may have to buy one with a high storage capacity. Many think the storage may be enough, but as you store photos, videos, and documents, you may have to keep deleting them or store them in the cloud or other platforms to create additional space. Ignoring display size Most smartphones today have a display that covers the entire phone screen. A larger display can help professionals to use apps like mail, calendar, and presentations. It can also help you create multiple windows, allowing you to use two windows simultaneously. You can choose phones with a smaller display if you find large phones inconvenient to handle or carry in your pocket or pouch. Not comparing with previous models of the same brand Companies release newer models regularly, but you may not require or use all the new features. Buying the latest model may not be the best thing to do. Compare the current model and see if the new features are worth the additional cost. Buy new ones only if they offer you features and functions that offer value for money. Assuming that a higher pixel camera is a better one Cameras today are launched with 64 and 108 megapixels. Though they may capture additional details, cameras with 48 and 64 megapixels offer good clarity. Also, look for other features like sensors, aperture, HDR, camera control and optical image stabilization. Check if the phone has a good and updated Image Signal Processor responsible for camera performance. Skipping checking audio features and quality Some smartphones may not have a headphone jack. You cannot connect a headphone, and you will have to use Bluetooth headphones or earpieces. In some cases, the USB port doubles up for a charging port and you may not be able to use either properly. Not checking speaker placement, audio settings and noise cancellation is also a common mistake. This can affect call quality and audio quality when you change from hands-free settings to a headphone and back. Trusting the salesperson and not testing the phone A good smartphone salesperson should understand your requirements and budget and suggest phones that match them perfectly. If you feel a salesperson is aggressively trying to promote a specific phone saying this could be the one for you, buying that could be a mistake. Learn to be firm and cross-verify with your checklist if the smartphone ticks the right boxes. Take a sample phone and check all the features and functions before buying it. Ten factors in selecting the right smartphone It is better to keep an open mind removing all biases while buying a new phone, even if you have been loyal to a specific brand for years. It allows you to find better phones with better functions and features at a comparatively lower cost. Check the following before buying a smartphone: Quality and performance Display size and resolution Process speed User interface or OS version Camera features Battery Storage Security Audio quality Headphone jack or USB port availability

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