How tires are made

Manufacturing process:

Mixture

The rubber compound from which the tire is made contains up to 30 components. They are mixed in giant mixing plants to produce a black rubber mass, which is then sent to the rolling mill.

Rolling mill

After cooling, the rubber is cut into strips, which will form the basis of the tire construction. During the rolling phase, other tire elements are also prepared; some of them are then covered with a different type of rubber.

Assembly

At this stage, the tire itself is formed, starting with the inner layers. Fabric elements, steel belts, beads, frame, tread and other components are loaded into a special machine. The result is an almost completely finished product, which is called a "green tire".

Treatment

The green tire is vulcanized using hot molds on a special machine that compresses all parts of the tire and gives it its final shape, including the tread pattern and manufacturer's markings on the side surface.

Examination

At this stage, qualified specialists check each tire using special equipment to identify even the smallest flaws and defects before sending it for sale.

Some tires are X-rayed to help detect possible internal defects and problems. Our quality control technicians randomly select tires from a conveyor belt and cut them to test all construction details against Goodyear's high standards.

Component parts of the tire

Frame

Consists of fabric layers that form the skeleton of a tire and is usually made from fabric cords that are bonded and covered with rubber. This makes the tire flexible but not elastic. To strengthen the tire, a special rigid carcass layer is placed directly on its inner backing.

Board

They are made of high-strength rubber-coated steel wraps and form a sealed layer between the tire and the rim of the wheel.

Belt

The tire is wrapped with steel belts that increase its strength and rigidity. They are made from rubber-coated braided steel wire. Sometimes a Kevlar cord is added to the belt for added strength, puncture resistance and durability.

Side surface

This is a dense rubber element that is located between the bead and the tread and provides the tire with lateral stability. The manufacturer's information about this tire is printed on the side.

Shoulder area

The tire has a small chamfered edge between the tread and the sidewall. Its shape and construction affect how the tire behaves when cornering.

Tread

This is the soft area of ​​the tire where the rubber meets the road surface. The tread is responsible for cushioning and traction, and its design / pattern and composition affect most of the critical characteristics of a tire.

Lamellas and grooves

The tread blocks are separated by deep grooves, which allow the tire to wick away water, snow and mud. Sipes are small grooves in the tread block that provide extra traction, which is especially important on snowy or icy roads.

Edge

The center of the tire is the weakest, so some tires have a reinforced rib in the center.

Continental from Romania, Bridgestone from Mexico, Chinese Goodyear - tires of famous brands with unusual markings of the country of origin can cause distrust among buyers. What is it - a fake, cheaper rubber with low quality? Let's take a look at why famous manufacturers produce rubber in different countries and debunk the myth that the country of production matters.

Why factories are being transferred to other countries

Most of the well-known tire brands are international corporations. Their products are in demand in many countries. The growth in demand for high-quality rubber leaves the manufacturer two ways: to increase production in his own country or to bring it closer to the end consumer. The second option is often cheaper because transportation costs are reduced.

Most Western European countries and the United States have fairly strict rules regarding the minimum wage. But if you create a plant in China or Russia, the costs of producing branded tires will be significantly reduced: workers in factories can be paid less, and the employees themselves will be quite satisfied with the level of earnings. Inexpensive labor is the main reason for building tire factories in other countries.

Few facts about the geography of production

If you map the locations of the tire market leaders' factories, you get an interesting picture. The network of large factories covers regions where branded tires are in great demand. Geographically, it looks like this:

at Bridgestone, factories are located in the East (in Japan, Thailand, Indonesia), some are brought closer to Europe (in France, Italy, Spain, Poland, Turkey), and the rest are located overseas - in Brazil and Mexico;

Pirelli has deployed a network in Italy, Germany, Great Britain, Romania, Russia, Egypt, Turkey, the United States and China;

Michelin Corporation has built enterprises in 14 countries (France, Germany, Spain, England, Italy, Russia, Poland, Hungary, the United States, Canada, the East is represented by Japan, China, Thailand and Indonesia);

Goodyear, in addition to European Slovenia, Poland, Turkey, Germany and France, opened production in South Africa, Thailand, China and the United States.

The list of factories is not a secret - it is easy to find it on the official websites of tire manufacturers, and the opening of each new plant is widely reported in the press. If you look at the list of Continental factories, the inscription “Made in Greece” on the tire will not arouse suspicion. You should be wary only if the country of origin is indicated as a country in which the company does not have a representative office, but this does not happen. Why? Counterfeiters would rather indicate the name of the country in which their headquarters are located, so as not to arouse suspicion. But the best brands take their reputations so seriously that they put a stop to attempts to produce fake tires.

Is there a difference in quality between different factories

The tire makers unanimously argue that the country of origin is irrelevant. If you buy Goodyear tires, they will be perfect wherever they come off the assembly line. And what about the quality in reality? It is hard to believe that a Russian enterprise can produce the same good tires as in America or France, but this is so.

Tire design, rubber formulas, equipment are the same at all factories. And the observance of the technology is strictly monitored: at the slightest violation, the batch is not released to the market. The control standards at the enterprises are strictly observed, and every employee knows that he will lose his place if they are violated.

Independent experts have repeatedly tested rubber of well-known brands. But as a result of the audit, it was found that the difference in quality between the products of the parent enterprise and the branches fits into a modest 1-1.8%. This is such a small value that one can ignore the country of production.

Believe it or not, in some cases branch tires can be even better. This applies to the so-called regional models, released taking into account the climate of a particular country. Therefore, you should not be afraid of counterfeiting when buying branded products, especially if you purchase them from a reliable seller. American, Asian and European tires will last equally long.

Today, many tire companies have several factories, and in different parts of the world. This is understandable - huge volumes of products can be produced only with a sufficient number of factories. However, the grandees of the world tire industry declare that products bearing the same brand are the same, regardless of the place of manufacture. That is why the same products are produced in different countries and differ only in the content of the “made in…” stamp.

The explanation for this is the most prosaic - at different factories of the same company, the same technologies are used, the same production processes operate, and practically the same components are used. The only exceptions are some components that do not affect the quality of the tires. And also, perhaps, air and water participating in processes that there is no point in moving from one country to another.

It makes sense to recall that it is impossible to produce two absolutely identical products - in any case, they will be different. The only question is whether the difference is big. In this regard, there is such a thing as a tolerance. For most tire makers, for example, the value for summer tires is plus / minus one percent. Taking into account the permissible deviation in both directions, the maximum difference of no more than 2 percent allows us to say that the products are identical.

And here is an example from Mother Nature in this regard - in life we ​​sometimes meet with twins - men or women, at first glance similar to each other "like two drops of water" (if you do not find out how similar these same drops are). Nevertheless, there are always people who, by subtle signs, are able to distinguish between brothers or sisters with the same appearance.

Let us remind you that the experts have already compared the tires of the same manufacturer. It was Michelin Energy in sizes 195 / 65R15 and 185 / 65R14 from Spain, Italy and Russia. The difference in adhesion properties, handling and noise level was no more than 1.7%, only in terms of run-out the tires differed slightly more - up to 3.5%. Now it's time for Goodyear Excellence.

France or China?

Often the quality of products bearing the stamp of the production of the country, to which buyers are distrustful, is questioned. Less than others, Russians favor China and ... Russia. So in our case, some readers of the magazine say that Chinese Goodyear is much worse than French.

The experts managed to buy two sets of Goodyear Excellence tires in size 185 / 60R14 H of the same model year - one made in France, the other in China. We tested them in a comparative test according to the standard program. The results are presented in the tables below.

Experts recorded differences in tire weight (0.4 kg) and rubber hardness (2 Shore units). Based on this, it can be assumed that there are minor design differences in the compared tires. Most likely, these are different materials for the frame and / or breaker.

But experts are interested in the characteristics of tires. The test results obtained on dry asphalt differ by no more than half a percent - the difference ranges from zero (skid braking from 60 to 0 km / h) to 0.3% (shifting speed). On a wet road, the spread is slightly more - between 1 and 2 percent: from 0.9% (changeover) to 1.7% (braking from 80 to 0 km / h). Fuel consumption differs by no more than one tenth of a liter per 100 km, which is 1.4 - 1.9%. All these figures fit into the same two percent.

The greatest difference in the “subjective” assessment is 1 point in the “manageability” nomination. The experts caught quite a few differences in directional stability, ride comfort and noise level. But they turned out to be so small that they did not even pull to change the assessment. To highlight the nuances in this test, "pros" and "cons" were introduced.

The difference in the results of measurements fits into 2 percent, estimates - in one point. All this allows us to state that the compared tires are identical. Why do readers have a negative attitude to the "Chinese" "Goodyear"? The experts dared to suggest - it's all about psychology. Most likely, the same stamp "works". But if the user does not pay attention to the country of manufacture, he will not feel the difference.

In the past few years, one of the most important criteria when deciding whether to buy a particular tire model has become the country of its production. One of the reasons is the price difference. So, the price for the same tire model, in the same size, can differ significantly depending on the country of its production. Another reason is prestige.

Many drivers, especially the older generation, still believe that quality tires can only be made in Germany or Japan. And when they find out that, for example, their chosen Goodyear is made in Turkey, Bridgestone in Indonesia, and Michelin in Thailand, they often refuse to buy. They can be understood, they are used to thinking in clichés since the times of the Soviet Union.

However, time does not stand still, we live in a world of transnational corporations and global brands. Globalization, the highest level of competition among manufacturers and the struggle for every buyer - this is the reason for the current situation. In an effort to lower prices for the end customer, manufacturers are moving their factories to countries with cheaper labor. At the same time, such rubber will be sold all over the world, therefore, its quality must be at its best, otherwise the credibility of the brand will be irretrievably lost. Trust, brand loyalty is the basis of sales. Conclusion - the quality of the product should not depend on the place of its production. This is confirmed in practice, the defective tires (well-known brands) of European production are no less than those of Asian ones.

The following brands of automotive rubber are presented on the Ukrainian market by country of production. The list is far from complete, but it gives some idea.

Achilles - Indonesia;

Amtel - Russia;

Barum (Continental) - Germany, Portugal, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Romania;

Bridgestone - Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Poland, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Italy, France;

BFGoodrich - Poland, Romania, England, USA;

Continental - Germany, Portugal, USA, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Romania, Malaysia, Greece;

Cordiant - Russia;

Dunlop (GoodYear) - Germany, Japan, USA, Thailand, Indonesia, Poland;

Debica (GoodYear) - Poland, France, Turkey;

Diplomat (GoodYear) - Poland, Slovenia, Turkey;

Falken - Japan, Thailand, Indonesia;

Federal - Taiwan, China;

Fulda (GoodYear) - Germany, France, Poland, Thailand, Turkey, South Africa;

General (Continental) - Germany, USA, Romania;

Gislaved (Continental) - Germany, Portugal, France, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Romania, Greece;

Goodyear - Germany, France, USA, Poland, Slovenia, Turkey, Thailand, China, South Africa;

Hankook - Korea, China, Hungary;

Kumho - Korea, China, Vietnam;

Lassa - Turkey;

Marangoni - Italy;

Matador (Continental) - Czech Republic, Slovenia, Greece, Russia;

Marshal (Kumho) - Korea, China;

Michelin - Germany, France, Italy, Spain, England, Russia, Poland, Hungary, Japan, USA, Canada, Thailand, Indonesia, China;

Nexen-Roadstone - Korea, China;

Nokian - Finland, Russia, China, Indonesia;

Pirelli - Germany, Italy, USA, Russia, Turkey, China, Brazil, England, Romania, Egypt;

Riken - Serbia;

Sava (GoodYear) - Germany, France, USA, Slovenia, Poland, Turkey;

Toyo - Japan, USA, Malaysia;

Tigar - Serbia;

Yokohama - Japan, Philippines, Thailand, China.

Imagine a situation, Michelin or Goodyear, it doesn't matter, built a new plant in China, spent several hundred million dollars on it and began to produce low quality tires under its own brand (after all, it is known that all goods made in China are of poor quality ;)). Then “he” sends this rubber to Europe and America in order to “discourage” local consumers from buying goods of his brand. Strange, isn't it?

Conclusion. Perhaps it is worthwhile to think a little and reconsider some of the stereotypes in our thinking.

How to buy?

You can buy tires by placing an order by phone

Self-pickup in Dnipro- Having decided on the choice, just agree on the time of your arrival.

Delivery in Ukraine- Intime and New Mail, payment upon receipt (cash on delivery).

Minimum tread height

The height (or depth) of the tread has a decisive influence on the tire's ability to maintain the required level of grip on wet or snowy surfaces.

All tires wear out over time. The question arises - what is the maximum permissible minimum tread height?

Country of production of the tire

In the past few years, one of the most important criteria when deciding whether to buy a particular tire model has become the country of its production.

One of the reasons is the price difference. So, the price for the same tire model can differ significantly depending on the country of its production.

About company Goodyear (Goodyear)

FuelSaving Technology, by which the company's tires are manufactured Goodyear, is innovative. Lightweight structure, special CoolCushion Layer, unique aquacanal reduce rolling resistance characteristics by fifteen percent, while maintaining high levels of wet handling and braking. These properties reduce fuel consumption by 1.7%, therefore, carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by about the same amount. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber company produces summer and winter tires. The rubber from this company has also proven itself well in auto racing.

Goodyear has a long and well-deserved history. American inventor Charles Goodyear in 1839 first vulcanized rubber, making it more durable, and in 1898 the Seiberling brothers founded a company to produce pneumatic tires. In 1908, the company supplies tires for the first Ford T, in 1965 a record of 965.5 km / h was set on Goodyear tires, in 1985 a radial tire for aviation was created, in 2005 a tire that worked after a puncture appeared.

$ 15 billion is now the company's annual sales. GoodYear distributes its products to 185 countries of all continents, where they are very popular. Including with us. The company has long crossed the borders of the United States, tires are produced in Slovenia, Poland, Germany, France. In the Forbes magazine, the company is ranked 40th in the rating of firms with the highest reputation.