Shopping for tires can feel like shopping in a foreign country… in a foreign language. How can you care about “optimized variable pitch tread blocks” or a “directional tread pattern” if you don’t know what a tread block or tread pattern is? We're here to help you find the best tire for your car, not only for performance but also safety. That starts with a little tire education.
Regardless of the tire category type, all passenger car, SUV, CUV, and light truck tires share certain basic components.
We'll start from the inside out! Tire beads hold the tire to the rim, or the outer edge of the wheel. They’re made of copper, brass, or bronze-plated high tensile steel wires wound into a rubber band. Tire beads prevent the tire from sliding out of place when the wheel rolls.
Bead filler is a rubber compound inside the tire’s beads. It provides stability to the lower sidewall and bead area. The density and stiffness of a tire’s bead filler help to determine a tire’s performance characteristics.
The cord body gives the tire strength and transmits cornering forces from the tread to the wheel. Rubber coated fabric cord, called body plies, make up the cord body. Body plies can be made of polyester, rayon, or nylon. Polyester is most commonly used.
The inner liner (in the center of the tire diagram) is a rubber compound bonded to the inside of the cord body that retains air under pressure. It has no cord reinforcement, and it functions like an inner tube. Note, however, that modern car tires no longer have inner tubes inside them. A tire's beads, bead filler, and inner liner work together to hold air within the tire walls.
Belt plies are two or more strong layers of cord just under the tread area of the tire. The primary function of belt plies is to provide strength and stability to the tire tread.
They play a role in improving tire mileage, impact resistance, and traction. Steel is the most common cord material used in belt plies.
The area of a tire from the bead to the tread—the side of the tire—is called the sidewall. It forms a protective covering for the cord body. Information about the tire is printed on the sidewall. This information includes the tire size, load index, and speed rating. Sidewall rubber compounds are designed to resist damage from ozone, cuts, and snags.
The tread is the portion of the tire that comes in contact with the road surface. The tread's compound and its design have to balance wear, traction, handling, fuel economy, resistance, and other characteristics of the tire. Tread designs vary greatly!
For example, Destination LE2 all-season tires need to perform well in both wet and dry road conditions. They have circumferential tread grooves. These grooves allow water to pass through and stay off the tread.
Firehawk GT Pursuit tires are also all-season tires, but they're specially designed for law enforcement and high-speed emergency use. They have an asymmetrical tread pattern. Large tread block elements on the outside shoulder support dry performance, while the inner shoulder is comprised of a greater number of smaller tread elements to improve wet weather and snow traction.
It’s best to introduce yourself to new roads with a firm grip. A firm grip starts with your tires. For more information about the parts of a tire and how to choose the right tires for your vehicle, visit your local Firestone Complete Auto Care and talk with one of our experienced techs. We're here to make sure you find the best tire for your car, not only for performance but also safety.
Let’s dive deep into how a car tire can hold air.
We start by looking at the different parts of the tire to better understand how it all works together.
Table of Contents
The tire category type may vary depending on the vehicle in question but each tire is made up of the same general components.
The more a motorist learns about these components, the easier it is to learn about a tire’s ability to hold air.
The short answer is that the beads, inner liner and bead filler will work together to hold the air inside the tire.
It still behooves a motorist to learn more about the different parts of each tire.
The inner liner plays a key role in holding the air inside of a tire because it is a rubber compound that has been bonded to the inside of the cord body. This allows the tire to retain air under pressure.
The inner liner functions in the same manner as an inner tube and there is no cord reinforcement to speak of.
The days of car tires having inner tubes inside of them have long since come to an end. Instead, the beads, bead filler, and inner liner work together as a means of holding air inside of the tire.
In order to truly understand the manner in which these items come together to hold air inside of a car tire, it is important to start from the inside out.
The tire beads are responsible for ensuring that the tire remains attached to the rim, at the wheel’s outer edge.
These beads are made of high tensile steel wires that have been copper, brass or bronze plated.
When the wheel is rolling, the tire beads are responsible for making sure that the wheel does not slide out of place.
Within the beads of the tire, there is a rubber compound. This is what is known as bead filler. The lower sidewall and bead area are provided with the necessary stability.
The tire performance characteristics are determined by the stiffness and density of the tire’s bead filler.
The tire’s strength is derived from the radial cord body. The radial cord body also transfers cornering forces from the tread to the wheel. Body plies make up the cord body, which are also known as rubber-coated plastic cords.
These plies are typically made of nylon, rayon or polyester. In most instances, polyester is used.
The sidewall consists of the area that extends from the bead to the tread. Also known as the side of the tire, the sidewall serves as a protective covering for the body of the cord.
If the motorist needs any additional information about their tire, it is going to be found on the sidewall.
Speed rating, tire size and load index are among the information included. The rubber compounds that are designed for sidewalls have been specially formulated to resist the damages caused by snags and cuts.
Of course, it should go without saying that the tread on the tire is one of the most crucial aspects. Since this is the portion of the tire that comes into contact with the road’s surface the most often, it is easy to see why there are so many options to choose from.
In addition to wear, traction, handling, fuel economy, and resistance, there are other characteristics of the tire that have to be taken into account.
For starters, those who reside in areas with more wintry conditions to contend with cannot underestimate the importance of all-season tires.
Tires with circumferential tread grooves are the best choice in these instances. Thanks to the grooves that these tires contain, water is able to pass through and stay off the tread. Meanwhile, there are other all-season tires that are designed with high-speed emergency usage in mind.
They will come with an asymmetrical tread pattern.
In addition to these tread patterns, there are also sizable tread block elements on the tire’s outside shoulder.
Those elements are designed to support dry performance, as the inner shoulder is made up of a larger number of smaller tread elements that improve the tire’s ability to handle snow traction and wet, wintry conditions.
The tire hold air by the pressure between the rim and the tire. There are no holes or cracks for the air to slip though.
This also means that we don’t have a tube in the tires. They are simply help together by the pressure of the air inside the tires.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most commonly asked questions about car tires and their ability to hold air:
When the tires are cold, most passenger cars will recommend using 32 psi to 35 psi of air in the tires of a passenger car.
The pressure needs to be checked when the tires are cold because the tires will create friction when they are rolling along the street. This creates a higher level of air pressure and increases the temperature in the process.
The full set of tires should always be replaced, since a refusal to do so can cause serious damage to the system of the vehicle.
In certain circumstances, it is best to only change one or two.
This is especially important if the difference in tread for each tire is particularly pronounced.
This is one of the more common queries that takes place and there is a very simple answer for this. The tires that come with a new car are not actually manufactured by one of the major companies.
The manufacturer of the car is responsible for them.
In most instances, the rubber that they use is quite soft, leading to faster wear outs.
When it comes to replacing tires, this is something that we do not always handle in a timely manner. Instead, we often wait until our hand is forced and there is no choice but to get the tires replaced.
Fortunately, there are a few telltale signs that it is time for new tires that any motorist can keep an eye out for:
Once a tire begins to deflate, there are bulges at the side. It won’t be long before cracks and gouges start to show themselves. If any of these imperfections start to become more noticeable, it is time to take the vehicle to the dealer.
Let them take a look before things get too far out of hand.
The good old-fashioned penny test will certainly come in handy here. Put a penny into the tread of the tire and make sure that Lincoln’s head is facing downward. If you are able to see the top of Lincoln’s head, this means that the tread is too low.
Be sure to replace the tire immediately.
Many modern tires also come with wear bars. If the tires have been worn down to these bars, this means that the motorist is overdue for a replacement.
The level of tire pressure also goes a long way towards telling the story.
The average tire deflates at a rate of one pound per square inch each month. The tires are not going to wear down within one month’s time but it still behooves motorists to be proactive instead of reactive.
When extreme cold arrives, the pressure in the tires will drop accordingly. Meanwhile, summertime brings a whole new challenge.
This is when drivers are forced to contend with excessive heat buildup inside of the tire.
Tires must be properly inflated during each time of year. Tires that are not properly inflated are going to wear out much, much faster than their properly inflated counterparts.
Thumping and vibration while driving are especially problematic. Does the thumping feel like it is coming from the back seat? That means that the tires could be out of balance.
If the vibration is taking place in the steering wheel, this typically means that there is a suspension issue. Once the ride is not as smooth as it should be, it is time to head to the dealer.
Last but certainly not least, the motorist must maintain awareness of the best types of tires for their personal driving situation.
All season tires are the most commonly chosen in the modern day. They provide the motorist with the traction that they need, all year round.
For most models, the tread range is going to fall anywhere between 60,000 to 100,000 miles.
In order to understand the importance of all season tires, it is crucial to know why they are so effective. Thanks to their tread patterns and rubber compounds, they are able to be utilized in a wide range of conditons.
This keeps the driver from having to swap out their tires for new ones every time that they look up.
These tires are even designed with the ability to handle light snow in mind, making them a no-brainer for most drivers.
There are often debates as to whether it is better to utilize all-weather tires or all-season tires. As with most choices of this nature, it will all depend on the weather conditions at hand.
Those who reside in warm, dry or mild conditions are likely able to use all-season tires.
Meanwhile, anyone who resides in a more wintry climate will want to choose all-weather tires.
When slush, snowfall and heavy rains take place, all-weather tires are able to handle these conditions far more easily. Don’t make the mistake of relying on all-season tires in these instances.
Before we take off, it is time to shatter one very common misconception that has been allowed to circulate for far too long. No, dealerships are not responsible for the over-inflation of tires.
The tires are inflated to the proper specifications.
So why does this misconception still linger? The tires will often expand once the motorist hits the roadway. Since the shop is cool and the roads are warm, this is a natural occurrence.
This is not the dealership’s fault and is 100 percent normal.
What Are The Different Parts of a Tire?
What Do The Numbers on my Tire Mean?
What Are All Season Tires and Are They Right For You?
How Does Air Stay In a Car Tire?
5 Signs You Need New Tires
Photo www.
tgamobility.co.uk
Often, tire pressure decreases gradually, and this process continues for several days. You inflate them to the required level, but the tires again pass air over time. In this case, you should contact the tire shop, where they will determine the cause of the pressure loss. There may be several. We will look at the problems with tubeless tires, since most modern cars are equipped with them.
Ivan Flyagin
Disk damage usually leads to its deformation. This comes from hitting the wheel at high speed on the edge of the pit or on a steep and hard bump. Due to the loose fit of the tire to the rim, a partial air leak occurs. Keep in mind that damage may be hidden on the inside of the rim, while the outside of the wheel will look brand new, without any visual flaws.
Another possible reason for the gradual loss of pressure in the tires is the depressurization of the valve (or nipple) as a result of mechanical impact, or the ingress of the smallest dust particles into it.
If the mechanism is in good condition, then air can leak in the place where its valve is attached to the disk. Sometimes you can fix the problem by pumping the spool with a few sharp and short presses.
Quite often the tire “catches” a nail or other sharp and large object on the road, which safely gets stuck in the place of the puncture. In this case, it serves as a stopper, only not completely sealed, so the air will slowly but surely bleed. If a nail hits a tire with a camera, it instantly bursts, and at high speed this is fraught with an emergency.
A tire can be damaged not only on the tread side, where the thickest and most durable rubber layer is located. Its side is also vulnerable to contact with sharp objects. Usually in this place there are cuts from friction on curbs, the edge of the track, protruding rebar and other hard and sharp protrusions. How quickly the rubber will lose air depends on the depth of the scratch. Usually damage to the sidewall causes irreparable damage to the tire, and it has to be replaced.
No matter what advanced rubber compound is used in the manufacture of a modern tire, in any case, its structure will respond to temperature changes to one degree or another. As a rule, in the cold, the rubber narrows, and as a result of a slight drop in pressure, the wheels sometimes have to be pumped up. Accordingly, at high temperatures, the opposite effect occurs and the pressure in the tires increases.
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As a rule, any car owner has at least two sets of tires - winter and summer. Accordingly, the question arises of storing an unused set of tires.
Some car owners do not wonder how to properly store tires. As a result, tires become unusable and you have to bear additional costs for the purchase of new rubber. Moreover, you can spoil the summer kit literally in a season. As a result, in the spring, instead of taking off winter tires and putting on summer tires, you will have to purchase a new set of tires. And all the problems are only due to improper storage of tires in your garage. By the way, you can store tires not only in the garage. There are special organizations that accept car tires for storage, providing proper conditions and care.
When asked how to store rubber, you can not ask friends or acquaintances for advice, do not search on specialized forums and websites (although this is a useful and necessary thing). It is enough to study the legislation in the field of state standards. In particular, GOST R 54266-2010 provides the necessary information on the storage conditions of automotive rubber.
It's called Pneumatic Tires. Packing, transportation and storage. Despite the fact that the standard was developed in the Russian Federation, it complies with European standards and rules for storing tires. Briefly describe the main conditions specified in the standard:
Everyone understands that in a garage or in a country house, and even more so in an apartment, it is not always possible to achieve literal compliance with the requirements of GOST for tire storage. For example, if the tires are on the balcony, the requirement to keep the tires outdoors for a long time will not be met. On the other hand, frost up to minus 35 degrees is not terrible for tires, so you can not be afraid to damage a summer tire. The main thing is to protect the tire from precipitation and sunlight, because ultraviolet is very harmful, it changes the structure of rubber, reduces elasticity. As a conclusion, tires can be stored on the balcony, covered with waterproof material.
It is important to ensure that the tires do not deform. In this case, it would be correct not to use cramped places, not to press down the rubber set with other objects, and to keep it on a flat surface. It is impossible to keep the tires standing up all the time, they can undergo irreparable deformation and only partially recover.
Tires can stand in one position for no more than a month, after which they must be turned over.
Suspended tire storage excluded. Although this option of staying rubber is found in some garages. On the other hand, the wheel assembly can hang safely without much harm. Moreover, this method is the most successful for the wheels in the kit, the only thing is to reduce the pressure in the tires.
Proper storage of tires means keeping them away from heating devices, including radiators and heaters. This is a very important note that must be strictly followed. Otherwise, under the influence of high temperatures over 30 degrees, the rubber may receive irreparable damage and deform.
Car owners often ask how long it is possible to store different types of car tires in a lying position. There is a GOST rule that regulates this option for finding rubber in a warehouse or garage. However, it is not always necessary to follow it strictly. It will be correct to find the tires in the supine position.
It is also allowed that the tire will stand upright, especially since many garages store tires standing up. Moreover, standing position is also acceptable for the wheel assembly. The main thing is to control how much the kit already costs and change the position in a timely manner.
As for the storage service for winter or summer sets of tires, it is provided by many service stations that carry out tire fitting, as well as large centers selling car tires. Moreover, the wheels can also be stored together with the disks. As a rule, such a service provides for the location of tires or wheels in a covered hangar without heating. The main thing is that the basic rule of storage is observed - the temperature regime is maintained.
As a general rule, car tires should not be near solvents or other chemical elements that can have a negative effect on rubber. It is also unacceptable to find nearby sources of ozone - transformers, electric motors and other equipment.
After the end of winter, for all car owners, there comes a period when it is necessary to change the winter set of tires to summer ones. At the same time, the fact of replacement causes a problem, and the need for proper storage of tires during the entire summer period of operation.
The rules are simple:
Summer Drive Protection Sound Comfort
Rating:
4.5
Tires Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 SUV
Summer Drive Protection
Rating:
4.5
Tires Goodyear Eagle Sport TZ
Summer Drive Protection
Rating:
4.5
Tires Goodyear EfficientGrip 2 SUV
Summer Drive Protection Run On Flat
Rating:
4.
5
Tires Goodyear EfficientGrip Performance
Winter Disc protection
Tires Goodyear UltraGrip Arctic 2 SUV
Winter Drive Protection Sound Comfort
Rating:
4.5
Tires Goodyear UltraGrip Ice 2
Winter Drive Protection Sound Comfort
Rating:
4.5
Tires Goodyear UltraGrip Ice SUV
Winter Disc protection
Tires Goodyear UltraGrip Performance+ SUV
All season Drive Protection
Rating:
5
Tires Goodyear Vector 4Seasons Gen-3 SUV
Summer Drive Protection Run On Flat
Rating:
4
Tires Goodyear Wrangler HP All Weather
All season Drive Protection
Rating:
4.
5
Tires Goodyear Vector 4Seasons
Summer
Rating:
4.5
Tires Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure with Kevlar
Summer Drive Protection
Rating:
4.5
Tires Goodyear EfficientGrip SUV
Summer Drive Protection Run On Flat
Rating:
4
Tires Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric SUV
The procedure and rules for storing summer tires in winter is practically the same as for winter tires.
First of all, the tires must be marked and thoroughly cleaned of dirt and small stones, and be sure to rinse and dry. Car tires wear out very much in summer, so it is worth swapping them when installing after winter to ensure balance.
Car tires may be stored vertically or horizontally in summer. At the same time, if the tire is complete with a disk, then it should not stand. The wheel assembly will properly hang on cables or ropes. Also, the correct position for a tire with a disc is lying horizontally. Wheels can lie in a stack of several pieces, no more than 4-5. If there is no other option for storing the wheels in the kit, except for standing, then you need to keep track of how long they are in one position and periodically turn them to change the place of pressure. It will be correct to change the position every 2-3 weeks.
Wheels without rims cannot be hung correctly, they can be deformed by prolonged lateral loads. It is allowed to store tires without rims in a stack, but not more than a month and in a stack no more than 5-6 pieces high.
Although this is not the correct position for summer tires in a garage or hangar.
The most correct option is to place the tires vertically:
The main condition is a flat surface, without sharp edges and protrusions, so as not to damage the surface of the wheel. It will also be correct to rotate the tires once every 2-3 weeks.
In winter, temperatures can drop to very low levels. The main thing to remember is that the car rubber should not be allowed to stay at a temperature below 35 degrees, in which case its deformation is possible. It is best to store in the winter in a garage in compliance with the requirements indicated above.
If you have two sets of wheels, for example, winter and summer, then you will be interested in how the tires should be properly stored in the garage or elsewhere. In this case, it will be correct if the wheels do not lie at all.
In this case, they will not undergo deformation under the influence of gravity.
The best storage with discs is hanging. To do this, the wheels must be thoroughly washed and cleaned of dirt, and also dried. It will be correct to treat the rubber with a special care compound. The pressure in the wheels is lowered to the level of 1-1.5 atmospheres.
It is advisable to mark the wheels in order to understand where they were and change them after storage. In this case, you can correctly distribute the balance and prevent uneven rubber wear.
It is also allowed to store the wheels on the rims in the garage horizontally stacked on top of each other. How much can be stored depends on the size of the wheel and its weight, but no more than 2 meters in height. Properly store on a flat surface, without corners and irregularities - on the garage floor or shelving.
Storage of wheels without rims is no different from other options.
It is correct to carefully prepare car tires for seasonal storage - this is cleaning from dust and small debris, washing, drying.
The main difference in storing wheels without rims is the correct way to keep them upright. In this case, they stand on a flat surface, the main thing is to rotate them periodically by 20 degrees to prevent rubber deformation. The garage is an ideal place to store a seasonal set of wheels without rims. If, of course, the place allows and the basic requirements for temperature and humidity are maintained. They can stand on a special rack or floor, the main thing is the absence of bumps and sharp corners, otherwise you can easily damage the surface of the tires.
If the garage does not allow keeping extra property in it, there are not enough normal conditions for a car, then you can keep tires on the balcony or in the pantry. The main thing is to withstand the temperature regime, properly store in direct sunlight (cover), avoid staying in conditions of high humidity or vice versa, excessively dry air.
