For many of us, the most we know about our car’s tyres at any one time are their pressures. However, there is a lot more to tyres than that. After all, tyres are the only contact we have with mother earth when on the road. Seeing our very lives depend on them, shouldn’t we find out more about these amazing rubber inventions?
WHAT ARE TYRES?
Tyres consist of synthetic and natural rubbers, as well as additional compounds such as carbon black. The first part of any tyre is called the body, which is the part that goes around the wheel rim and is inflated with air, making it rigid. The tread is the outside surface of the tyre that makes contact with the road surface.
WHAT DIFFERENT TYPES OF TYRES ARE THERE?
‘All season’ tyres can be used all year round, irrespective of the weather. These tyres are the most commonly used in South Africa. Such tyres have to work in any situation so they are complex, physically and chemically. They are certainly the best to buy. It would be too expensive to buy tyres for icy conditions in South Africa’s mountainous areas, and then having to swop them with other tyres for ordinary conditions a few weeks later.
WHAT ARE PERFORMANCE TYRES?
Performance tyres are made for luxury cars and sports cars that travel at high speeds. These tyres are softer than all-weather tyres in order to provide better handling. Such tyres don’t last as long as the usual ones, and are most expensive. They can handle the high temperatures that are produced during high-speed travelling. The only draw-back is that such tyres are essentially dry-weather tyres, as they can’t eliminate road surface water rapidly.
TYRES DESIGNED FOR WET WEATHER
Wet weather tyres can accommodate copious quantities of water, and are thus useful in rainy areas. One of the major problems with ordinary tyres in wet weather is that the stopping distance may be increased. However, wet weather tyres, with their extra deep grooves, can eliminate large amounts of water during travel, thus preventing your car from sliding.
WHAT TYRES ARE USED FOR ALL TYPES OF TERRAIN?
These tyres can be used for off-road and on-road situations. Tyre wear occurs evenly, so that they last a long time. Their tread can dissipate water quickly and yet have an emphasised tread pattern for great off-road traction.
‘RUN FLAT’ TYRES ARE POPULAR
As the name suggests, these tyres can still be used for a while when punctured, and even when there is no air in them. The whole reason for this is that the tyre wall has been reinforced so that it does not have to rely on air pressure to keep it rigid.
‘ECO’ TYRES HELP SAVE FUEL
These tyres have minimal friction on roads without compromising on traction. As a result there can be a 4% saving in fuel consumption.
HOW DO GOOD TYRES FUNCTION?
A good tyre touches the road surface in an area the size of a postcard. Good tyres fulfil a great function, by providing a good grip on the road surface during travelling. This provides stability to the car during cornering (taking sharp turns), but also allows a car to stop within a safe distance. In addition, good tyres also absorb shocks experienced while travelling.
POOR TYRES POSE A GREAT DANGER ON THE ROAD
Defective tyres, on the other hand, can endanger many people’s lives. They can seriously affect the performance of a car, by increasing the chance of skidding, as well as increasing stopping distance. Poor tyres may increase friction, thus increasing fuel consumption. Studies have revealed that as much as 60% of vehicle factors causing road fatalities, can be attributed to poor tyres.
TYRES HAVE TO BE MADE ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS
It’s up to tyre manufacturers and importers that tyres made in South Africa as well as imported tyres adhere to manufacturing specifications. The compulsory specification VC8056 ECE Regulation 30 applies to all tyres used by passenger cars and trailers, whilst VC8059 Regulation 54 applies to tyres used for all commercial vehicles and trailers.
HOW DO WE KNOW TYRES ARE ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS?
According to both regulations, tyres have to be marked with the letter ‘E’, as well as be accompanied by an ‘E’ Certificate. The manufacturer also has to abide by a quality management system which has been certified by an accredited authority.
WHAT IS MEANT BY ‘HOMOLOGATION’?
Homologation, which started in the South African tyre industry in about 1996, refers to a certification or approval procedure that is activated before a tyre is imported or allowed to be sold in South Africa. All tyres imported or made in South Africa have to be homologated via the national Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS).
Having the correct tyres fitted does not make a car immune to accidents. Why not consider buying car insurance with PMD?
Road Safety and Tyre Safety – A very close call and good response by this taxi driver at Keyridge!! https://t.co/q4D4f1tILa #ArriveAlve @EMERGCONTROL pic.twitter.com/XUEK46b3Tp
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) December 13, 2018
Disclaimer:
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views and opinions of Prime Meridian Direct (Pty) Ltd, FSP41040.The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.