The average vehicle owner doesn’t understand the importance of having and maintaining good tyres. With little knowledge the general driver can’t identify safety issues and are baffled by how anyone could be enthused and concerned about something as trivial as tyres. Little do they know that those crazy about tyres aren’t the crazy ones!
Yokohama recently published an article ‘Are you crazy or crazy about tyres’ discussing the importance of maintaining your tyres, educating the public on tyres and explaining how and why some people driving on the roads are definitely crazy when it comes to their tyres.
The tyre above could burst any day! It would also have weak grip on the road making it very susceptible to skidding, especially on wet roads.
It’s clear to see the inside of this tyre has worn substantially more than the outside indicating the car is in serious need of a wheel alignment. The tread depth is significantly less than the legal minimum of 1.5mm, with the inside having no grooves what so ever. This means the tyre is unable to channel away water from a wet road, meaning it is extremely vulnerable to skidding. Of even greater concern is the clearly visible fabric construction which has become exposed to damage. Continual driving on this tyre is likely to result in the construction of the tyre coming apart, causing the tyre to lose air pressure instantly resulting in a dangerous blowout.
This is an easily avoidable incident, with the Volkswagen polo needing 2 new tyres on the front and a wheel alignment to avoid future damage. This driver is CRAZY!
HOW TO PREVENT THIS
When your vehicle is parked regularly turn the steering hard to one side so you’re able to examine all the tread. If it’s badly worn like the example above, take it to Action Tyres & More, your tyre experts.
The SUV’s tyres displayed above are mismatched, meaning the vehicle wouldn’t stop in a straight line!
The Nissan X-Trail featured above has very different tread patterns. The tyre on the right has small tread blocks and wide straight grooves which would give it excellent traction in the wet. The tyre on the left is completely different with large trad blocks, less grooves and is more suited to dry conditions. Crazy!
The mismatch of tyres can result in your car turning when you wish to go straight, or going straight when you’re trying to turn. Ideally each wheel on your vehicle should have the same amount of grip, to ensure the car goes straight when you brake or accelerate and so the vehicle doesn’t oversteer or understeer when turning a corner.
The Nissan X-Trail requires 2 new tyres on the rear, preferably the same or similar to the front tyres.
MAKING UNDERSTANDING TYRES EASY
A simple way to think of tyres is to imagine them as your cars shoes, and the tread as the sole. Certain shoes have hard, smooth soles which make them treacherously slippery. Whilst others have modulated patterns and rubber that grips, to ensure you have excellent traction.
This than means the components that make up the modern tyre are essential to provide the performance, handling and safety that we have come to expect.
COMPONENTS THAT FORM A TYRE
A radial tyre begins with a shell: steel belts making up the spine, while on the sides bead wires have the primary task of holding the tyre firmly on the rim and sealing in the air. The body ‘plies’ than provide the strength to constrain the forces created by the internal air pressure, and work seamlessly in conjunction with the bead to maintain the tread in full contact with the road surface.
Finally, the grooves in the tread are specifically designed to remove water from under the tyre in wet conditions. This is why a ‘bald’ tyre is extremely dangerous, with the tread wearing down causing the tyre’s ability to remove water diminishes and therefore the grip of the tyre is significantly reduced.
Above is a technical tyre diagram and description of the components which make a high quality tyre, with the tyre above in the diagram Yokohama’s ADVAN Sport.
- Round profile
- Joint less triple edge cover (Full nylon cover)
- Overlapped joint less winding
- High-hardness under the tread compound
- High tension steel belts
- Rayon carcass (Some tyres have a polyester carcass)
- High-harness bead filler
- Side steel reinforcement
- High-harness side compound
CONCLUSION
Each tyre is specifically designed to give drivers tens of thousands of kilometres of safe and comfortable driving. Combine this with the realisation that the only thing between you and the road at speeds of up to 110km/h is your tyres, you realise there’s no room for cutting corners.
Yokohama is Action Tyres & More’s leading tyre brand. It is favoured for its cutting edge technology, vast product range and affordability. Call Action Tyres & More today for pricing on Yokohama tyres to suit your vehicle. You won’t regret it!