Marcus Richards
There is no part of a car more important than the tyres. The car tyres affect everything including the performance, efficiency, comfort and, of course, the safety of the vehicle. This is why it is so important for motorists to have a strong understanding of their car tyres so that they can be kept in the best condition at all times and know when you need to make a change.
How Often Should They Be Replaced?
Car tyres wear down over time and this is unavoidable. The legal minimum requirement for tyre tread depth is 1.6mm, but it is recommended that they are replaced before you reach this level to be sure – this is why it is important to check the tread depth on a regular basis. Generally, it is also recommended that car tyres are changed every 20,000 miles or 10 years (whatever comes first).
Summer or Winter Tyres?
You may also want to switch between summer and winter tyres, especially if you live somewhere that is prone to snow, ice and slippery roads in winter. Summer tyres are made from compounds designed to be used in warm weather while winter tyres are designed for maximum traction with larger gaps in the tread. This means that winter tyres can grip the road better and you will benefit from an improved performance during the colder months of the year.
Aspects of Tyres
There are a few aspects of tyres that motorists should be aware of. The tread is the rubber that is in contact with the road and the tread depth determines how well the car grips the road and disperses water. The structural rigidity of car tyres is from the steel belt, which are rubber-wrapped bundles of steel within the tyre. There is then the sidewall, which is the smooth vertical area inflated with air. Finally, the bead wires hold the tyre onto the rim and must be extremely strong to prevent stretching.
Brands of Tyres
There are many brands of tyres to be aware of and you should only ever use a set of high-quality tyres on your vehicle. It is legal to use a different brand of tyre, but you must install the tyre across the same axle otherwise it could impact performance and safety. Generally, it is best to replace all your tyres with the same brand. A few of the best brands to look out for include:
- Goodyear
- Continental
- Michelin
- Pirelli
- Bridgestone
Hopefully, this post will be educational and help you to keep on top of your tyres. The tyres impact all aspects of the vehicle’s performance, so you need to make sure that your tyres are in good condition and also that you know when and how they should be replaced.
