The innovation of cars is simply amazing. If you give it a thought, it seems very interesting how a particular machine makes your travelling so convenient. Although cars function properly because of many components, the role played by tyres can never be ignored. They help your car move and maintain stable contact with the road.
No matter how plain and simple your tyres leeds look, showing a little interest in them will do no harm. This article will make you aware of some unknown facts about tyres. You will also learn about some tips to keep them in a healthy condition.
Black is something new, the earliest tyres used to be white!
This may be a little difficult to digest. But yes, in their initial days, tyres used to be white in colour. The natural colour of the rubber is white and that’s the reason why the older tyres were white in colour. However, to produce stronger and durable, tyres the manufacturers started to use Carbon black. This makes the tyres more durable and stronger. Silica is another compound being used in the tyre manufacturing process.
Over-inflated tyres are as bad as the under-inflated ones
It is always advised to maintain an appropriate amount of air pressure in your tyres. Over-inflated tyres are prone to irregular and uneven tread wear. The risk of tyre puncture also increases with your tyres having excessive pressure. This may lead to a sudden tyre burst, putting your safety at risk. This is why you should always check the tyre pressure weekly.
It is best to avoid part-worn tyres
The biggest enemy of your tyres is tread wear. It increases the chances of slipping on wet roads. The UK government has set 1.6 mm as the minimum tread depth. This signifies that you should replace your tyres as soon as the tread depth reaches somewhere near the standard limit.
Part-worn tyres should be avoided and there are some legit reasons for this. They pose a huge threat to your safety. Also, part-worn tyres will wear very fast and you will have to spend money all over again for their replacement. Buying part-worn tyres means intentionally putting yourself in potentially dangerous situations.
If taken care of, tyres can last up to 10 years
Most of us take tyres for granted. Certain things should necessarily be done if you expect your tyres to last long. Maintaining cheap tyres pressure, Wheel Alignment, Wheel Balancing, and annual maintenance service are some of them. Your driving style determines your tyre’s health. Rash driving can lead to uneven tread wear. Life of your tyres can significantly be increased if you pay proper heed to them.
The biggest tyre manufacturing company isn’t the one you are thinking of!
You think of buying a new tyre and names like Bridgestone, Pirelli, Continental, Dunlop hit you instantly. However, the world’s busiest tyre manufacturer is not one of these tyre giants. LEGO is the company which is manufacturing over 300 million tyres every year. Quite a big number, isn’t it?
Now that you know some of the interesting facts about tyres. Here are a few tips to ensure that they last long.
Improve your driving style: Rash drivers end-up damaging their tyres. Always maintain the speed limit and stay cautious, especially on bumpy roads. Rash driving will lead to uneven and premature tread wear.
Proper tyre pressure is very important: Over or under-inflated tyres will give you a hard time. The risk of tyre puncture and uneven tread wear increases with tyres having inappropriate amounts of air pressure. Tyre pressure should be checked every week as it helps in avoiding unnecessary tyre damages.
Wheel Alignment: Your wheels should always be aligned, i.e. they should be fitted at the correct angles. Misaligned wheels will cause vibrations while driving and lead to uneven tread wear.
Not taking proper care of your tyres will lead to unwanted expenses. Always inspect your tyres for damages and cracks, so you can enhance their life and save yourself from extra expenses.