We love our cars but when it comes to maintaining them we tend to get a bit stingy. Those guys who love their cars and maintain them well also tend to ignore one important aspect of the car which are the tyres. Tyre health is quite important as it is the only thing that keeps the car in contact with the road surface and slightest damage to them could lead to severe fatalities. So tyres hold as much importance as any other part of the car. This article takes you through all the aspects of a good tyre and ways to maintain them optimally.
The main materials used in manufacturing a tyre are synthetic rubber, natural rubber and carbon black along with a few chemical compounds. These ingredients are mixed in varying quantities to provide you with tyres that have different applications. For example, a tyre used on a family sedan is completely different to the one you see on aeroplanes. They consist of two parts “ tread and body. The tread is the surface that is in direct contact with the road surface while the body does the duty of staying attached to the wheel rim as well as containing the tyre air pressure. Most of the tyres sold today are tubeless which are much safer than the ones with tubes.
Have you ever noticed a numerical code besides the brand name of your tyre? It is nothing but actual specifications of that tyre. We take an example of the Ford Ecosport which comes with 205/60 R16 tyres which means that the tyre is 205mm wide, has a 60mm high sidewall and is specified to 16-inch wheels (‘R’ stands for radial tyres). Besides this, there is usually a 2- or 3-digit number that defines the load carrying capacity of each tyre. The load index is usually rated from the number ‘60’ (which allows a max load of 250Kgs) up to the ‘110’ (which allows a max load of 1060Kgs). Multiply the load caps by four and you will be able to tell how much load your new set of tyres can carry.
All tyres come with specified speed limits too, which varies due to the kind of construction they are formed with. Entry level cars usually do not come with speed ratings, while MUVs mostly come with tyres specified with a ‘Q’ rating which means the tyres can withstand speeds up to 160Km/hr. Most tyres manufactured in India have a rating between ‘S’ and ‘H’ (180Km/hr to 210Km/hr respectively). Sports cars and luxury cars on the other hand use tyres that are rated ‘Y’ which liberates the speed limit to 300Km/hr. In case of the Ford mentioned here, the tyres are specified to a ‘92 H’ rating which means each tyre carry a load of 630Kgs and a max speed rated to 210Km/hr.
The first step towards a healthy tyre is a properly maintained tyre pressure. The air pressure should be maintained strictly according to company specifications. This allows uniform wear and tear and increases tyre life by a significant amount. Also, tyres should be rotated all around to ensure equal wear on all four corners, more so on front wheel drive cars. Tyres undergo friction and will obviously wear with time. A tyre used with good care should last for about 45,000Kms. This can be extended a bit more if tempting things like burnouts, hard acceleration or braking is avoided. Also one must look out for worn out suspension and suspension links as their failure could result in a heavy wear. Loading up the car with more than 5 passengers and their luggage should be avoided too, as this is the most common reason for tyre bursts on highways. Before the onset of monsoon, pay close attention to the tread depth. This can be done by inserting a coin and measuring the depth with a millimetre scale. If the tread depth is found to be less than 2mm it is advisable to replace them for a new set immediately.
A good set of tyres is like a good pair of shoes. They are always there with you anywhere you go and also protect you from obstacles you might not even notice. So take good care of your tyres and the tyres will take good care your car, and of course you.
Points to ponder
Recommended tyre pressures are usually mentioned on the inner side of the driver’s door.
Valve caps only help in preventing dust, mud or water accumulation and do not prevent air pressure loss.
Do not reduce tyre pressures during summer as this causes the sidewall to flex or bend.
Studded tyres are used in places where there is snowfall to improve grip.
Aeroplane tyres have special conducting materials that help transfer the static charge they gain while landing to the ground.
