Tyre Functions

Tyres are essential components for your safety. The only point of contact with the ground, it must allow for acceleration, cornering and braking whatever the road, driving or weather conditions. All while giving drivers and their passengers a feeling of comfort.

• Carrying: A tyre carries more than 50 times its own weight and is subject to more than 20 million deformations over its lifetime. It must also withstand considerable load transfers during both acceleration and braking
• Driving. A tyre must retain its performances on all sorts of road surfaces and at temperatures that can vary from -50°C to +50°C. For reasons of efficiency and environmental protection, it must also offer low rolling resistance.
• Guiding. The tyre must provide stability at all times on the vehicle's trajectory. This means that it must withstand the transversal forces without drift. Among other things, this property depends on the correct choice of pressure between the front and rear axles.
• Transmitting. Straight line, corner, acceleration, braking... The tyre transmits the energy from the engine to the ground at all times. It must respond to the many demands of the drive, the road and the environment. It provides longitudinal and transversal efforts that can reach its own load on a surface hardly bigger than a hand.
• Absorbing. The tyre absorbs obstacles and dampens irregularities in the road, thus ensuring the comfort of drivers and their passengers and the longevity of the vehicle. Its main attribute is its flexibility, especially in the vertical direction.
• Lasting. The lifespan of a tyre depends on the conditions of use (load, speed, condition of the road surface, condition of the vehicle, driving style, etc.) and on the quality of the contact with the ground. Pressure therefore plays a major role in this field

  It affects:

  • The size and shape of the contact patch.
  • The distribution of the stresses on the various points of the tyre in contact with the ground.

Tubeless Tyres

Tubeless Tyres are tyres without the tube. The tyre is built in such a way that it can contain the air by itself. It does not require a tube within it. The tyre and rim assembly form an air container, to "Seal" and "Contain" the compressed air inside the assembly. The tyre has a chloro-butyl lining on its inside which is airtight. Together with the airtight joint between the tyre and the wheel, the membrane forms a container that holds the air. A valve is fitted on to the rim for inflation or deflation to the assembly.

Economy

These tyres are more economical. As the tube is eliminated, friction between tyre tube is not experienced, thus lowering rolling resistance, improving fuel efficiency, producing fewer vibrations and heat and better comfort. Chances of tube pinching under the bead while mounting are eliminated. The number of components used in a tyre wheel assembly gets reduced. The tube and the flap are both eliminated. Lower tyre/wheel weight (un-sprung mass) results in better vehicle handling and therefore longer life.

Safety

In case a nail or other sharp object penetrate a tubeless tyre, the air loss is not sudden. The tyre wheel assembly continues to perform its function for some time before going flat. This is one of the biggest advantages of a tubeless tyre. If there is a sharp penetration in a tube tyre, the air in the tube starts leaking suddenly and rapidly in all directions. This causes the wheel assembly to loose stability thereby resulting in accidents. Since there is no tube in tubeless tyre, the probable and associated potential problems such as "Defective Splice", "Defective Valve Base", "Thin Gauge", "Foreign matter" or "Pin Hole" are eliminated, ensuring safety of the wheel assembly. Tubeless tyre beads are designed to seat on the rim bead seat area with higher "interference" (tight fit) as compared to a tube type tyre. In the event of air loss the chances of bead unseating from the rim is less, therefore providing higher safety.

Tyre Care

The care and maintenance of your tyres is essential for your safety and that of your passengers. It also makes for a more comfortable driving experience. There are a number of simple steps that you can do that will not only improve the life of your tyres but also the performance and safety of your car.

Tyre Pressure and Spare Tyre

The easiest step to take in caring for your tyres is checking that all your tyres have the correct tyre pressure, including the spare. Under-inflated tyres cause poor steering and braking performance, leading to irregular tyre wear that will quickly reduce the life of your tyres. Excessive wear due to under-inflation can make your tyres prone to blowout. Over-inflation reduces the amount of tyre that is in contact with the road, reducing the braking ability and performance of your car. Regularly check that your tyres have the correct pressure in accordance with your vehicle's recommendations. You can find the correct pressure noted in your vehicle's handbook or on a plate or sticker on your vehicle, often on the inside of the driver's door.

Wheel Balance

Unbalanced wheels will cause the steering wheel to wobble at higher speeds. Improperly balanced wheels can also cause problems in other areas of your car such as the suspension and braking performance. Incorrect wheel balance is corrected by small weights attached to the rim of the wheel. As your tyres wear they naturally become unbalanced as the weight distribution within the tyre changes. Hitting a pot-hole or a kerb can also cause your tyres to lose balance. Get your tyres checked and balanced every 6 to 12 months.

Wheel Alignment

A wheel alignment involves adjusting the suspension of the car and not the tyres. Poor wheel alignment can cause wear on different parts of your tyres, depending on how the tyres are misaligned. Incorrect wheel alignment can also cause steering problems and the necessity to continually compensate steering whilst driving. Your wheels should be checked for alignment every 6 to 12 months.

Tyre Rotation

As front and back tyres will also often wear at different rates and positions, regular tyre rotation will extend the life of the tyres. Tyres should be rotated as part of your regular service.

Tightness of Wheel Nuts

Check on a regular basis that your wheel nuts are tight and not loose. Incorrect tension can cause problems with wheel balancing.

Tyre Type

It is important to have the same type of tyres on your car. Tyres have different patterns, density and wear characteristics. Having different models and makes of tyres on your car can cause problems with wheel alignment and difficulties with automatic traction control.

Check for Nails

A common reason for tyre replacement is nails puncturing the tyre. Whilst nails often do not cause immediate deflation, a slow leak will cause irregular wear and the need for the tyre to be replaced. Nails when detected early can be easily repaired by a qualified tyre fitter.

Check for Tread Depths

Tread pattern designed on the tyre surface are designed to keep water out and maintain a contact between tyre and road where the rubber maintains a good amount of grip and maintains it. When the tyre wears out the grooves also wears out thus increasing the aquaplaning and loss of control. So once the groove depth decreases below 1.6mm one should try to look for replacements. Tread depth should be at least 1.6 mm across 75% of tread depth.

Looking after your tyres can prolong their life and ensure the safety of your vehicle. It is good to know what to look for when assessing the condition of your tyres.

Wheel Alignment

Wheel alignment sometimes referred to as tracking, is part of standard automobile maintenance that consists of adjusting the angles of the wheels so that they are set to the car maker's specification. The purpose of these adjustments is to reduce tyre wear, and to ensure that vehicle travel is straight and true (without "pulling" to one side).

Alignment is one of the key maintenance factors in getting the most wear and performance from your tyres. In addition, wheel alignment provides safe, predictable vehicle control as well as a smooth and comfortable ride, free of pulling or vibration, and improved gas mileage. Wheel alignment is done for proper return ability, less tyre wear, reduce load on suspension and better handling. Improper wheel alignment can effect driving performance of your vehicles as well as cost you money. It also improves your vehicle's gas mileage by decreasing your tyre's resistance and improves safety by avoiding steering accidents.

There are three main parameters of Alignment, Camber, Caster and Toe. Return ability is the ability of the steering to get into position while the wheel moves.

Adventure Driving Care

Never Maintain Low Inflation Pressure:

Lower inflation pressure leads to tyre rupture due to generation of heat. Hence, the pressure should be maintained at 5 psi (0.3kgf/cm2). The tyres should be inflated over the normal pressure before high speed racing.

Never Use Damaged or Repaired Tyres:

Damaged or repaired tyres not to be used during high speed driving as it increase the risk of a tyre burst resulting in accidents.

Never Use Worn Out Tyres:

Worn out tyres should not be used as it increases the risk of accidents due to poor braking and skidding.

What are Tips and Advice for taking care of Tyres?

Tyre care is must for your car. Here is the expert opinion that can be useful to you. In this section, we have pulled in a few important tips that would help you take precautions and avoid stranded situations.

Maintain Adequate Air Pressure:

Maintaining the tyre pressure recommended by the manufacturer elongates your tyre life. Under inflation of your tyre could leave the tyre under performed. Low pressure can also cause dislodging and creates a rolling resistance. This in turn increases the fuel consumption of the vehicle and premature tyre failure due to excessive wear on both the inner and the outer side. On the other hand Over-inflation can cause problems like unpredictable handling and accelerated centre tread wear.

Always Check Tyres When Cold:

As you drive, the friction heats up the tyre and increases the tyre pressure. Checking a warm tyre for pressure gives an underinflated pressure reading leading to wrong adjustment of tyre pressure. Therefore, tyre makers always recommend checking tyre pressure only when it is cold.

Avoid Mixing Tyres:

Car makers design cars to work with four tyres of same or similar make to ensure consistent performance. Different make and models of tyres perform differently, so applying different models of tyres will make your car suffer in terms of performance. Therefore, try and replace two tyres at a time and install two similar tyres on the same axle.

Check for Tread Depths:

Tread pattern designed on the tyre surface are designed to keep water out and maintain a contact between tyre and road to maintain a good amount of grip. When the tyre wears out, the grooves also wear out thus increasing the aquaplaning and loss of control. So once the groove depth decreases below 1.6 mm one should try to look for replacements. Tread depth should be at least 1.6 mm across 75% of tread depth.

WEmergency Repair:

Make sure that you keep a spare tyre with you for the emergency purpose with a proper tyre changing kit handy.

Frequent Checks for Damage Detection:

Visual inspection of tyres should be done frequently. Just because we do not feel that there isn't any problem with the tyre it does not mean that tyre is in a good condition. A tyre can be damaged by a nail or any other harmless object. Therefore, frequent checks on the tyres should be done and replacements should be timely made as the ageing tyres lose their resistance and develop cracks.

Look for wheels Steering and Suspension:

Misaligned steering or worn suspension can cause uneven or accelerated tyre wear. Checking the tyres frequently can avoid this. If these concerns arise check at a garage for wheel alignment and suspension condition and get it adjusted or repaired as required.

Know your Tyres before you Buy them:

Know all the tyre specifications before you buy them.

when to change tyre

If Your Tyre is Worn:

The safe limit of the tyre surface is 1.6 mm. Tyre treads worn out below this limit would prove to be dangerous. Use of worn-out tyres increase the probability of tyre failure, and in wet conditions can cause the tyre to lose traction suddenly. In most countries, it is illegal to drive with less than 1.6 mm of remaining tread depth.

If Your Tyre is Damaged

Your tyre can be seriously damaged if it impacts any solid object on the road e.g. kerb, pot hole a nail. There is a good chance that your tyre can be repaired, but only an authorized tyre retailer or technician can tell you whether the tyre can be repaired or has to be changed.

Inspection by a professional is absolutely necessary because internal damage is not visible while the tyre is mounted.

But in one of the following situation the tyre definitely cannot be repaired:

• Punctures to the sidewall.
• Bead wire visible or distorted.
• Separation of rubbers or fabrics.
• Creases in rubbers or fabrics.
• Damage by hydrocarbons or corrosive substances.
• Chafing or mottling of internal rubbers by running under inflated.

If Your Tyre is Over Aged

The usable life of tyres varies enormously and is impossible to predict. For this reason, it is recommended that all drivers pay attention to the external appearance of their tyres, to any loss of inflation pressure or any abnormal occurrence (Vibration, Noise, Lateral Pull) which might demonstrate the need to replace them.

Moreover, in addition to regular inspections and tyre pressure adjustment, it is also recommended that all tyres (including those on spare wheels, trailers, caravans and camping cars), are inspected regularly by a tyre specialist, who can assess whether they should continue in service. After five years or more of use, this inspection must be carried out at least once a year. Where necessary, follow the manufacturer's recommendations on replacement of original parts.

An easy test to know whether to change your tyre or not?

• The tread of your tyre must be 1.6 mm (1/16th of an inch). When the tyres are worn below this limit than it is the right time to change your tyre.
• Tyres come with a feature of tread wear indicators. These are small bridges which are present in between the treads. When the outer tyre comes even till the level of the indicators, it is the right time to change your tyres.
• Apart from observing a tyre wear indicator, a tread depth indicator or gauge is an easy tool to measure the tyres treads depth. It is easily available with an auto parts dealer or you can also get to your regular tyre place and ask them to do the same for you.
• You can also have a look at the tyre wear indicator mentioned at the side of every tyre. These vary from company to company.
• Being a responsible driver, a note of irregular tread wear should be made. If the tyres wear much faster than expected, have a check of the suspension and get it corrected. Worn suspension parts and improper alignment play a vital role in reducing the tyre's life.
• It is a good idea to rotate your tyres from front to rear in pairs.