Tyre Advice Everyday

28/02/2021

Buyer’s Guide to the Best Tires (2021)
KRISTIN MCCLURE

Searching for the best tires? Click here to read our buyer’s guide. We list the top 10 tire brands as well as how to choose the best tires for your vehicle.

05/07/2020

Are you planning on driving off the trail with your car, truck or SUV?

Then the tires on your wheels will have to tackle a whole new set of challenges. A proper grip on wet and dry roads is still necessary for off-road wheels, but additional factors like off-road grip, puncture resistance, and vehicle load ratings also come into play.

A good set of off-road tires can carry a vehicle over rocks, boulders, sand, dirt, snow, mud, and other uneven surfaces. The tires on the wheels will have specially designed tread patterns, and the grooves between the tread blocks will be broader. Off-road tires will also have reinforced sidewalls for higher resistance to punctures.

For pure performance on tarmac, however, off-road tires cannot compete with a good set of summer tires. That's because off-road tires have a reduced contact patch area, so there's less contact with the road surface while the wheel rotates. Used in urban or suburban terrain, they'll provide your truck with less grip and make more noise. Plus, there'll be a major dip in fuel efficiency.

Another thing to remember is that off-road tires have a shorter tread life. That's because of the softer rubber compound used to provide off-road tires with adequate performance on all surfaces and trails. The average is not lower than 40,000 miles, but some models can promise an average mileage as high as 70,000 miles.

Which off-road tires are right for you?
All-Terrain tires: If your vehicle frequently switches between irregular terrain and regular road – for example in an SUV commuting from town to country roads – then the wheels will most certainly benefit from all-terrain tires. These tires feature an interlocking tread design that provides the durability to conquer dirt, gravel, and grass, but also offer a quieter, comfortable ride on paved roads. Please note, however, that all-terrain tires are not the same as all-season tires.

Mud-Terrain tires: If the wheels on your vehicle are usually scrambling way off the beaten track and into uncharted terrain, then mud-terrain tires are an excellent choice. With more aggressive tread patterns, these tires offer superb grip for the wheels in the most extreme terrain, particularly wet snow and mud. They are also incredibly durable, with tougher sidewalls to absorb the impact of rocks and damage from other off-road hazards.

Snow tires: In regions where the conditions are predominantly ice and snow, consider fitting the wheels with a set of dedicated snow tires. These car tires will stay soft and pliant even in subzero temperatures. The tread will also have a series of sipes – tiny grooves and channels – that can dig into wet snow and ice to improve traction when driving in slippery conditions.

(https://www.continental-tires.com/car/tire-knowledge/tire-basics/off-road-tires)

03/05/2020

Tips for buying replacement tyres

Replace all four at once
It’s a good idea to replace all four tyres at once. For optimum handling and control we recommend they are all the same type and size, unless otherwise specified by the vehicle manufacturer.

Make sure they match
If you’re only buying two, make sure the new ones match the tyres you’re keeping, and that this is permitted by your local laws and by the vehicle manufacturer.

Put new tyres on the rear axle
For better traction and stability when you drive, if you are only buying two new tyres put them on the rear wheels.

Radials and non-radials
If both must be fitted to the same vehicle, put the radials on the rear axle.

Never mix
Radials and non-radials on the same axle.

Different speed ratings
It’s not recommended to fit tyres with different speed ratings. However, if they are fitted with different speed ratings they should be installed with like pairs on the same axle.

Load-carrying capacity
Make sure replacement tyres have an equal or greater load-carrying capacity to that specified by the original equipment manufacturer.

05/04/2020

Hot topic today! 😃

WHAT IS TIRE ROTATION?

Tire rotation implies occasionally changing the situation of every one of the tires on your vehicle. You ought to turn your tires as suggested by the vehicle maker, or each 5,000 miles. For a considerable lot of you, that will mean when you get your vehicle's oil changed.

Consistently pivoting your tires likewise gives you a decent chance to outwardly examine them for harm, check their pneumatic force, have them rebalanced in case you're seeing any vibration, and check their track profundity.

23/03/2020

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AVz8yUtknzI

18/03/2020

What are Tire tread patterns? And what consists in such?

You probably know what tire tread is: the part of the tire that makes contact with the road surface. But what you might not know is that the specific tire tread pattern your tire utilizes can impact how your tires perform, such as how they handle and how much traction they provide in different driving conditions. Let’s look deeper at both the elements of tire tread patterns as well as the three types you might run across in your search for new tires: Symmetric tread, asymmetric tread, and directional tread.

WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF TIRE TREAD PATTERNS?
A tire tread’s design is composed of five basic elements: tread blocks, grooves, sipes, cross slots and ribs. Grooves are channels that run circumferentially around the tire between the tread ribs. Tread ribs are the raised section of tread pattern that are composed of tread blocks. Tread blocks are the raised rubber segments that make contact with the road surface. Cross slots are channels molded into tread elements to provide extra water evacuation. Finally, sipes are the small slits molded into the tread blocks that increase the number of biting edges to enhance all-season traction.

The Elements of Tire Tread Patterns
SYMMETRIC TREAD PATTERN
The most common tread pattern in use on passenger tires is the symmetric tread pattern. In these types of patterns, the outer and inner sides of the tread are symmetric—that is, they are mirror images of one another. The tread blocks form continuous ribs around the tire. Tires with a symmetric tread may use any type of rotation method – front-to-back, modified X or full X. An example of a symmetric tread pattern is the Bridgestone Ecopia EP422 Plus. At times, you might hear symmetric tread pattern tires referred to as “multi-directional”. This is because the tire can be mounted on the wheel and rotated in any direction without affecting performance.

ASYMMETRIC TREAD PATTERN
Another tread type found on passenger tires is the asymmetric pattern. In these types of patterns, the inner and outer halves of the tread are designed with different channels and tread blocks. This design is intended to enhance performance such as water dispersal or dry grip and snow traction. In the example above, the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity Plus all-season touring tire, you can see how the left (outer) side of the tire tread features chunkier tread blocks that provide a larger contact area for increased stability and handling on dry roads. The right (inner) side of the tread pattern features more channels and smaller tread blocks to aid in channeling water away for improved rain traction. Multiple rotation patterns may be used for this type of tire.

DIRECTIONAL TREAD PATTERNS
Some tire tread patterns are designed for rolling in a unidirectional way, meaning in only one direction. These are called directional tread patterns and are often found in high-performance tires and winter tires. As you can see in the example above, the Potenza RE960AS Pole Position tire features tread elements that form a V-shape. This V-shaped tread pattern helps move water more efficiently from under the contact patch to help boost hydroplaning resistance at higher speeds. Since the channels only work if mounted with the V’s oriented correctly, once the tire is mounted, directional tires can only be rotated using a front-to-back and back-to-front pattern. Directional tires will feature an arrow on the sidewall indicating which direction they need to roll when mounted on the car.

18th march 2020, https://www.bridgestonetire.com/tread-and-trend/tire-talk/tire-tread-patterns

17/03/2020

RUN FLAT TYRES!!!

WHAT ARE RUN FLAT TIRES?
Run flat tires are tires on which you can continue driving after a puncture so you can take time get to an auto shop or find a safe, level area to change your tire.

You can’t drive on them indefinitely, though. Check the manufacturer’s specifications to find out how fast and how far you can drive on your run flat tires. Bridgestone run-flat tires will allow continued operation even after a loss of some or all inflation pressure for up to 50 miles (80 km) at a maximum speed up to 50 mph (80 km/h.)

HOW DO RUN FLAT TIRES WORK?
There are two primary types of run flat tire systems: the self-supporting system and the support ring system.

In most self-supporting run flat tire systems, the tire features reinforced sidewall construction that will continue supporting the vehicle in the event of air loss. This construction allows continued operation after the loss of air pressure up to the speed and distance specified by the manufacturer.

Self-supporting RFT

Support ring run flat tire systems, on the other hand, employ a ring of hard rubber or another structure that can support the vehicle’s weight in an air loss condition.

RFT Support ring system

Since they continue performing even though they’re “flat,” all run flat tires, regardless of the specific system type, may only be used on a vehicle equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). The TPMS alerts you as soon as one of your tires loses pressure. Without it, you might not know you were driving on an underinflated tire.

BENEFITS OF RUN FLAT TIRES
You don’t have to change your tire in dangerous or uncomfortable conditions. This is perhaps the biggest benefit of run flat tires and is the one of the reasons why they were designed. With conventional tires, you have to replace a flat on the spot or have your car towed.

In a puncture situation, run flats are more stable than conventional tires. Since they’re made to support your vehicle even when they contain no air, run flat tires will help you maintain better control in a complete air loss situation than conventional tires.

As consumers continue rating safety high on the list of features they look for in a vehicle, the popularity of run flat tires is expected to grow. Since run flat tires work reliably with interconnected technologies like TPMS, it may only be a matter of time before they become the norm rather than the exception in new vehicles.

17.03.2020, https://www.bridgestonetire.com/tread-and-trend/drivers-ed/run-flat-tires

16/03/2020

TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) is an electronic system that monitors tire air pressure. Knowing if your car has TPMS will enable you to find the right tires.

13/03/2020

TIRE BALANCING
Distinct from tire alignment, tire or wheel balancing refers to compensation for any weight imbalances in the tire/wheel combination and is often performed in conjunction with wheel alignment. There are two basic types of tire/wheel imbalance that need correction – static (single plane) and dynamic (dual plane).

Static balance addresses balance on only one plane – vertical movement which can cause vibration. A dynamic imbalance, on the other hand, addresses balance in two planes – vertical movement and lateral movement . Both types of imbalance require the use of a special balancing machine to help even things out.

To begin balancing your tires, a technician will mount them on the correct rims and adjust the pressure to optimal inflation. Then each tire goes on the center bore of a balancing machine. The machine spins the tire at a high speed to measure the wheel/tire combination imbalance. It signals how much weight the tech should add to balance out the tire and the areas where said weight is needed.

Tire balancing is essential for proper tire care for the same reason as wheel alignment: prevention of premature tread wear. Having tires aligned and balanced every 5,000 to 6,000 miles can help maximize their lifespan and overall performance.

13th march 2020,https://www.bridgestonetire.com/tread-and-trend/drivers-ed/tire-alignment

12/03/2020

Good morning and have a blessed day! 🌄😁

When a wheel allignment is done, the mechanics check and adjust these three adjustments. They are,
-CAMBER
-TOE
- CASTER

What is CAMBER, TOE, & CASTER?
When a technician checks your tire alignment, he or she is mainly concerned with three things:

1. CAMBER
This is the inward or outward angle of the tire when viewed from the front of the vehicle. Too much inward or outward tilt, also known as negative and positive camber, respectively, indicates improper alignment and will need to be adjusted. Worn bearings, ball joints, and other wheel-suspension parts may contribute to camber misalignment.

Camber tire alignment

2. TOE
Distinct from camber alignment, toe alignment is the extent to which your tires turn inward or outward when viewed from above. If that’s confusing, just stand up and look down at your feet. Angle them inward toward the center of your body. When the tires on your car are angled the same way (remember, we’re thinking in terms of birds-eye-view), we call this toe-in alignment. Angle your feet outward and you have toe-out alignment. Both require adjustment.

Toe tire alignment

3. CASTER
Your caster angle helps balance steering, stability, and cornering. Specifically, it’s the angle of your steering axis when viewed from the side of your vehicle. If you have positive caster, the steering axis will tilt toward the driver. Negative caster, on the other hand, means the steering axis tilts toward the front of your vehicle.

11th march 2020, https://www.bridgestonetire.com/tread-and-trend/drivers-ed/tire-alignment

11/03/2020

Good morning folks!🌄

Wheel allignment 101

WHAT IS WHEEL ALIGNMENT?
Alignment refers to an adjustment of a vehicle’s suspension – the system that connects a vehicle to its wheels. It is not an adjustment of the tires or wheels themselves. The key to proper alignment is adjusting the angles of the tires which affects how they make contact with the road.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I NEED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT?
There are a couple ways to tell if your car needs a wheel alignment. If you've noticed one or more of these indicators, you should have your alignment checked by a licensed service technician immediately.

MAJOR INDICATIONS THAT SHOWS YOU NEED AN ALLIGNMENT IMMEDIATELY?
- Uneven tread wear
- Vehicle pulling to the left or right
- Your steering wheel is off center when driving straight
- Steering wheel vibration
- Soon after you did a suspension repair

10th march 2020, https://www.bridgestonetire.com/tread-and-trend/drivers-ed/tire-alignment.

09/03/2020

A CRITICAL POST TO KNOW HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR TIRES TO GET THE MAXIMUM MILEAGE!🏎

Tire Maintenance
To make your car tires last longer, it is essential to check them regularly. These days, many tires have a lifespan up to 50,000 miles or more before they wear out, though potholes, environment, heat and underinflation can weaken them.

To extend the lifespan of your car, here are some things you need to do:

– You should check the air pressure every month when the tires are cold. Make sure they are inflated to the air pressure printed on fuel-filler door or inside the glove compartment or on the door jamb. Do not use the figure printed on the tire’s sidewall as that is the maximum pressure for the tire.

– When checking, if you detect any bulges, cuts or cracks in the sidewall or tread, you will need to replace these tires by new ones as soon as possible.

– Always keep your car’s weight under the capacity listed on the doorjamb placard. If your car carries more load than its maximum capacity, your tires will be worn out faster than usual.

– Inspect for uneven treadwear, which typically indicates worn suspension components or poor wheel alignment, and have both inspected by a mechanic. Additionally, before mounting new tire, you also need to check your car’s alignment and suspension to stop them from wearing prematurely.