Five tire basics are highlighted by tire specialist Pirelli, in order to maintain your safety and to improve tire maintenance. The only portion of the vehicle that has a direct touch with the road is the tire. That is why it is important to use and maintain tires properly and be aware of their properties to ensure safety in any scenario, extend the life of your tires, and save money. Always drive safely and with consideration for the environment.
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Markings on the sidewall
There are many distinct inscriptions on the sidewall of the tire. The size and features of the tires are indicated, along with the brand name and range: nominal width, nominal section height to nominal section width ratio, structure or construction code, rim diameter, and load and speed index.
Pressure in the tires
The tire pressure has a significant impact on a vehicle’s safety and efficiency, and it’s the first of the tire basics.
Tyre pressure should be checked frequently (every month), particularly before a lengthy journey (never attempt to change the pressure when the tire is heated).
The braking distance is proportional to the pressure in the tires. At 100 km/h, the braking distance with properly inflated tires is 40 meters, compared to 42.4 meters with deflated tires. As a result, performance has increased by almost 6% or 2.4 million dollars.
Tire wear is uneven when the inflation pressure is incorrect. Low pressure promotes shoulder wear and increases the danger of structural damage to the tire. A tire’s center will wear out if the pressure is too high.
The integrity of tires
Rubber, steel, and fibers make up a tire. Steel and fibers are structural elements, whereas rubber serves to protect them from environmental factors. Chemicals and other environmental factors may harm the rubber itself:
Sharp items, hard collisions, and other forms of abuse may result in apparent and subtle structural flaws.
In addition, low tire pressure causes structural damage.
The rubber may be destroyed by high heat and sunshine.
Depth of tire thread
The tread depth is an important safety consideration and another one of the tire basics. It has a big impact on how the vehicle interacts with the ground.
The Anti-lock Braking System controls the wheel at the slip threshold when braking and water is collected. The tire tread gets saturated, resulting in a significant increase in braking distance.
Water depth, tread depth and driving speed all affect hydroplaning. A vehicle is driven into a basin with 8 mm of water and sped up to measure hydroplaning. Hydroplaning occurs when the engine is forced to work harder without speeding up.
Seasonal tire change-over
For safe driving, choosing the right seasonal change-over is critical. In the summer, summer tires are used, and in the winter, winter tires are used. The right rubber compound is crucial for braking distance, traction, and stability.
Winter tires not only provide greater traction on snow, but they also outperform summer tires when the temperature dips below 7°C. Pirelli advises installing winter tires to guarantee mobility on all surfaces and in all types of cold weather. Summer tires have higher braking distances and much-reduced traction on snow when temperatures are below +7°C.
Source: Pirelli
