People may know a lot
about cars but when it comes to tires, it's a big zero. Today we will be
busting some myths about tires.
- Myth: Tires
should be inflated according to the pressure indicated on the tire
sidewall.
- Fact: Indication
on the sidewall is the tire's maximum inflation pressure, not the
recommended pressure. Follow inflation pressure recommendations in the Car
owner's manual or written on the door post.
- Myth: A
tread pattern is required for great traction on dry roads.
- Fact: A
tire without any tread provides the best results dry traction due to the
maximum amount of rubber touching the road. A tread pattern, with its
groove voids, actually lessens this traction on dry roads. The role of
tread is to act as a squeegee in wet conditions and removes water from
under the tire and channels it through the grooves for improved wet
traction.
- Myth: Performance
tires wear out faster because of the sticky compounds.
- Fact: Partly
true but tread rubber polymers aren't the reason. In fact, advancements like
new polymers and ultra-tensile steel constructions make performance tires
last longer now. Performance tires average about 45,000 miles in tread
life, comparable to the figures for family-car passenger tires. Fast wear
is usually due to high speeds and aggressive driving.
- Myth: Wide
tires provide better traction under all weather conditions. Installing
oversize snow tires on a car delivers better snow traction.
- Fact: Completely
wrong. Wide tires have a tendency float on deep snow, and the tread lugs are
unable to dig through to the road surface and gain traction. Narrow tires
provide better traction in snow conditions. Narrow tire cut through the
snow easier and provides traction.
- Myth: All-season
tires sufficient for even winter season.
- Fact: Can
be true for certain regions but in places where snow remains on the roads
for days winter tires are the best.
- Myth: Tires
should not be rotated from side to side, only front to back.
- Fact: Radial
tires can be crossed from side to side in the rotation pattern unlike the
bias ply tires. Regular tire rotation every 6000 to 8000 miles ensures
uniform wear for all tires on a vehicle.
- Myth: New
tires should be put on the drive-wheel position to get the most
traction.
- Fact: True
only on a rear-drive vehicle. Always, install new tires on the rear axle.
Most tire buyers purchase new tires for the drive-wheel position to get
the most traction. However, by doing so they transfer most of their
traction capabilities from the rear. The vehicle is more prone to over
steer.
- Myth: The
government tests tires for traction, temperature resistance, and treadwear
and assigns grades molded onto the sidewall.
- Fact: Uniform
Tire Quality Grading is a federal law that makes it mandatory for tire
manufacturers to grade their own tires for tread wear, traction, and
temperature resistance. Tire manufacturers test tires and assign their own
grades and not some government authority.
- Myth: An
undulation on a tire sidewall is supposed to be a weak spot and can lead
to tire failure.
- Fact: An
undulation is created where materials overlap each other in the tire
carcass, and it actually is the strongest part of the tire.
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