Tires are one of the most important vehicle components. These ring-shaped components serve numerous functions to keep drivers and passengers safe during vehicle use. Because of this, it’s vital for drivers to properly maintain the tires on their vehicles. Learning about tires using the following information can vastly improve road safety and driving performance.
Tire Fundamentals
The basic parts of a tire include the tread, sidewall, inner liner, bead liner, beads, bead filler, and radial cord liner. The beads are designed to connect the tire to the wheel of the car. These beads keep the tire from sliding off the wheel during driving. The bead filler is a rubber material inside the beads. This composite material provides durability to the beads. The radial cord liner is comprised of body pliers to give the tire strength. The inner liner is the innermost part of the tire. It serves to retain air within the tire. Belt plies are angled nylon cords that add strength to tires. The sidewall is the area of the tire from the beads to the tread. It helps protect the tire and provides information about tire size and load index. The tread of the tire makes contact with the road surface. It’s comprised of grooves which control traction, balance wear, and handling. Drivers can learn more from Hamm’s Tires to increase tire knowledge.
Tire Functions
Tire are responsible for several functions. These components act as the interface between the vehicle and the roadway. Tires enable drivers to navigate safely around potholes and other road defects. Tires also let drivers turn slowly or rapidly. The grooves in tire tread help enable drivers to navigate safely on wet road surfaces to avoid hydroplaning. The rubber and compressed air in tires allow tires to absorb shock. This assists in cushioning the force of traveling over bumpy roads. Tires also support the vehicle load. This keeps the vehicle balanced so correct navigation can occur on roadways. Because of these important functions, it’s essential for drivers and car owners to regularly check tires, have repairs made promptly, and get professional maintenance routinely.
Tire Inspection
It’s a good idea to get into a routine of inspecting tires. Do this once a month. It’s preferable to do tire checks 2 to 3 times a month when cars are driven in colder climates, frequently over uneven roadways, or long distances. View the general condition of the tires. Do they appear to be worn down? Check the sidewalls and tread for signs of damage such as punctures, deep scrapes, cracks, and other openings. Also, check the tread depth. This is the height of the groove walls on the tires. It’s imperative to have enough tread to maintain positive traction on roadways. Place a penny upside down inside the tread. When more than the top third of the penny is visible, it may be time for a new tire. In addition, ensure that tires are properly inflated. Use a tire pressure gauge to measure the PSI, or pounds per square inch. The proper inflation for tires is printed on a label inside the car.
Tire Problems
Drivers should be aware of possible tire problems. Even with regular inspections, these problems can occur in a short period of time. Other defects occur over a longer period of time and can be hard to detect. Bald tires happen when the tread on tires wears down. Tires without proper tread are a prime cause of blowouts. Look for bald tires before car operation. Uneven tread wear can be an indicator of a problem with the car. A defective suspension can cause uneven balding. A misaligned car can cause tires to become improperly leveled. Vibrations at higher speeds may indicate the need for tire balancing. In addition, tires may squeal when rounding corners. Squealing tires can manifest when tires are underinflated, worn down, or improperly balanced. Being vigilant of possible problems can prevent an accident from occurring the prolong the useful life of the car.
Professional Tire Maintenance
It’s essential to get professional help for tire maintenance. Tire rotation, wheel alignment, and tire balancing are crucial services that can’t be delayed to keep drivers and passengers safe while traveling. Tire rotation is simply changing the position of the car tires. Ideally, this should be done according to car manufacturer’s instructions or every 5,000 miles. Corning and braking properly is enhanced when tires are repositioned to maintain even tread depth. The type of rotation used will depend upon the type of tires being rotated. Wheel alignment service occurs when a technician adjusts the vehicle’s suspension. Adjusting the camber, caster, toe, and height of the car’s suspension improves steering stability and positive handling. Depending on car usage, it’s beneficial to get a car aligned about once every 3 years. Tire balancing is necessary to keep tires spinning smoothly and evenly. It keeps tire weight properly distributed around the vehicle. Tire balancing is often done in conjunction with tire rotation. Having this service done every 5,000 miles enhances safety during driving and results in better traction over roadways.
Tires are sometimes overlooked during maintenance or car care. However, this can lead to premature tire wear and damage to cars. Improper tire maintenance also leads to increased risk for car accidents. It’s beneficial to understand the basic fundamentals of tires and tire functions. These aspects of car ownership are vital to keep drivers and passengers safe during travel. By finding a reliable service provider, tires can be routinely received tire service including tire rotation and tire balancing. Wheel alignment is done ls done less frequently, but just as important. Take the time to set up a regular routine for inspecting the general condition of car tires including inflation, tread depth, and wear patterns. It’s helpful to write down all factors pertaining to tire maintenance. Don’t hesitate to get professional advice when the condition of tires is uncertain. This action can prevent accidents and car repairs. It also keeps delays from occurring due to tire problems. Use tire knowledge to safeguard against hazards to save lives.
