For over a hundred years in a row, tires have helped keep the road safe. After all, be that as it may, they are the only thing that connects the car to the roadway. The most powerful engine, the most reliable brakes, the most advanced ABS only matter when there is reliable traction. Every turn of the steering wheel, every push of the accelerator and brake pedals is transmitted to the road through four contact patches, each of which is the size of a notebook.
A driver who drives worn, under-inflated or out of season tires puts himself, his vehicle and other road users at risk. However, most drivers do not have sufficient information about the tires. For many car enthusiasts, the choice of tires is limited by two factors - price and availability. Some people make their choice based on tire design or reviews from other buyers.
We've compiled twelve top guidelines to guide you when choosing your tires. If you want to save money and still choose the most reliable tires - this article is for you. Here is some basic information to help you understand how car tires work.
1. Basic information.
Roughly speaking, a tire is a flexible container of compressed air. This air container supports the weight of the car, allows the car to move forward and backward, turn and stop, and also smooths out the unevenness of the road surface.
A modern tire requires 19 to 25 different components. First, the inner elements of the tire are made, and then the outer ones. The first is the hermetic layer. It gives the tire shape and allows air to be trapped. Woven cord layers are located on top of the hermetic layer, and steel cord is located on top of the woven cord. Ply cords do a double job: they give the tire stability and flatten the tread. A flatter tread provides better traction. The tread sits on top of the cord plies. The tread pattern may vary depending on the type of tire. The sidewalls give the tire elasticity and special handling. A softer, taller sidewall better dampens uneven road surfaces, while a stiffer, lower sidewall improves cornering and handling.
Each passenger car and light truck tire has an alphanumeric code on the sidewall that describes the tire size. For passenger car tires this code starts with the letter “P”, for light truck tires it starts with “LT” or “C”. When choosing new tires, pay attention that the load index is not less than that of the old ones.
2. Choosing the right tires.
The biggest mistake when buying tires is choosing the wrong size. Each tire has an alphanumeric code on the sidewall that provides information on the size and performance of the tire. For example: P195 / 60R16 63H M + S
- P - tire type;
- 195 - tread width in millimeters;
- 60 - tread height relative to width;
- R - type of tire carcass (radial);
- 16 - rim diameter in inches;
- 63 - load index;
- H - speed index;
- M + S - the tire is suitable for winter use.
If LT or C is indicated instead of P, then you have a light truck tire. Light truck tires are designed for heavier vehicles such as minibuses, SUVs or pickups. However, the use of light truck tires on such vehicles is not mandatory, and passenger tires are often installed in the original configuration.
The speed index indicates the tire's ability to withstand heat while driving. Heat is one of the enemies of tires. The higher the temperature, the faster the tire wears out and the higher the risk of bursting. Tires with a high speed index can withstand more heat that is inevitable when driving on high-speed highways. If you do not often have to travel on expressways, the speed index is not particularly important for you.
Most tires have a speed index that allows you to travel at speeds from 160 to 300 km / h. The most popular speed indices are T (190 km / h) and H (210 km / h).
Another important factor when choosing tires is load index. The load index allows you to find out the maximum weight that each wheel can support. When choosing a tire for replacement, check that the load index is not less than that of the old tire.
In addition to the speed and load indices, size and design, the most important safety factor is traction quality. Very often, drivers make the mistake of choosing tires without considering this factor. The most knowledgeable tire buyers are looking for a tire that offers the same good grip on dry, wet or snowy roads. If you live in a colder climate, you will need two sets of tires: winter and summer. If there is no frost in your region, one set of all-season is enough.
Most buyers make the mistake of waiting for spring before heading out for new tires. Worn tires with worn tread pattern improve dry handling, but decrease wet and snow performance. So if you are driving all-season tires, the best time to buy new tires is in the fall.
Tires for passenger cars and light trucks differ markedly from each other. And often the owners of pickups, minibuses and SUVs choose passenger tires for their cars - they are cheaper and have a higher level of comfort.However, if the car is supposed to carry heavy loads or you plan to use a heavy trailer / trailer, it is better to choose light truck tires ...
3. Where to buy tires.
When it comes time to get new tires, most drivers have plenty of choices. Many go to the dealership. There you can buy tires of the original configuration, but it will cost twice as much as in any specialty store.
Specialty stores, whether they are small businesses or members of a large distribution network, usually offer a wide range of products. Store managers will help you choose the right model, and tire shops often work at stores, where you can install and balance the purchase. Prices for goods and services in different stores differ significantly, so the buyer will have to go around several outlets in search of the most advantageous offer.
In addition, it makes sense to study the offers of online stores. True, most of them do not offer tire fitting services, so you will have to look for a workshop yourself. But by ordering tires via the Internet, you get rid of the need to go to the store for tires - they will be brought to your home. In addition, the online store is often the only tool for owners of custom wheels that cannot be purchased at most retail stores.
4. Be careful.
Wherever you buy tires, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- check the size and type of tires in the vehicle manual;
- define your requests and needs. What's your driving style? Calm or Dynamic? Or maybe you combine both styles?
- make sure the tire type is suitable for your vehicle. Don't buy passenger car tires if you need light truck tires.
- remember that a good tire combines good ride quality, noise reduction, economy, durability and a reasonable price. The task of the specialist store manager
- help you make the best choice.
- an interesting trend in the modern car market
- installation of larger tires. Tires and rims of the largest possible size are installed on the car in order to improve traction or the appearance of the car. This actually improves traction and grip, but reduces the level of comfort. In addition, these tires and rims may be less reliable than the original size tires and rims.
If you decide to fit larger tires on your car:
- don't forget to make sure they fit your vehicle;
- make sure the tire has a suitable load index.
5. What is runflat.
The biggest change in tire design is actually a return to the past. The first tires were rings of dense rubber wrapped around a wheel. They were tough and poorly absorbing impacts, but they were not prone to punctures and could last an incredibly long time, that is, they ideally matched the road conditions of that time.
Today's runflat tires are much more sophisticated than those early rubber rings. The ranflats contain air, but they are strong enough to keep going even when there is a complete loss of pressure.
There are two different types of runflats. The first of them uses an additionally reinforced sidewall that can take the weight of the car in the event of an air leak. Runflats of this type are produced by many tire companies. As a rule, such tires are capable of moving with a complete loss of pressure at a speed of 80-90 km / h for a distance of up to 80 kilometers. But after such a trip, it will most likely be impossible to repair the tire. Due to the structural features of the sidewalls, ranflats are mainly low-profile tires. Therefore, tires of this type are used more often on sports cars than on conventional passenger cars or minivans.
Runflats of the second type are called the PAX system and are the development of the French company Michelin. The PAX system is not just a tire, but a complete wheel with disc, inner support ring and pressure control system. If a pressure drop is detected in the PAX, the wheel is only half deflated. The inner part of the tread is lowered onto a support ring inside the tire. According to Michelin experts, PAX wheels are capable of driving with a pressure loss of up to 200 kilometers at a speed of up to 90 km / h. Unlike other ranflats, the PAX can be repaired as long as only the tread is damaged and the damage is less than a quarter of an inch (6.4 mm).
Since PAX systems do not require additional reinforcement of the sidewalls, such tires can be produced in any size, including those suitable for SUV-class vehicles. Another advantage of PAX over conventional runflats is greater comfort and a smoother ride.
6. Carefully study the issue of fuel economy.
Fuel economy is an important issue for many motorists. If you are considering purchasing energy efficient tires, you may be interested to know that not all tires of this type are equally efficient. Bill Vandewater of Bridgestone Firestone North America states that “depending on the tires they choose, the consumer can find a 15-20 percent change in fuel consumption either way. If you want the most fuel efficient tires, go for the OE tires. "
In addition, it should not be forgotten that tire pressure plays an important role in energy conservation. Check it regularly, at least once a month. For best results, inflate the tires slightly more than the instruction manual says.
7. New or used, what to choose?
Some drivers prefer new tires, while others, hoping to save money, try to buy used tires already in use.
The downside to used tires is that they can be unsafe. Such tires can have a number of obvious or hidden defects, and the tread depth is often too shallow. Used tires have a significantly higher risk of accidents, and driving performance, especially on wet roads, is worse than new tires.
The service life of new tires is significantly longer. In addition, some manufacturers offer an extended warranty that allows you to replace the wheel in the event of a puncture. So if your goal is to save money, go for used tires. If reliability and durability are your top priorities, then new tires are the way to go.
8. How long are the tires.
Tire life depends on many factors, including your driving style, climate, road conditions and the tire manufacturer's approved mileage. The worse the road conditions, the sooner the tire will deteriorate.
Twisty turns, potholes and other adverse conditions accelerate tire wear. And if you also love to drive at top speed, your tires will definitely wear out even earlier.
The mileage of all-season tires ranges from 65 to 160 thousand kilometers. High performance tires are capable of traveling 65-110 thousand kilometers, and top-class tires, which provide the maximum level of grip, do not have a guaranteed mileage. As a rule, the mileage of such tires does not exceed 40 thousand kilometers.
The tire mileage information is calculated based on the results of tests on the track, in extremely rare cases, tires are tested in real road conditions. The durability of many models can be determined by the UTQG Tire Quality Classification. Developed by the US Department of Transportation, this classification measures a tire's resistance to wear and heat, as well as traction. Tires with UTQG wear resistance 300 will last 3 times longer than those with UTQG 100. Thermal resistance scale varies from A to C, traction scale is from AA to C.
Although UTQG allows for an approximate comparison of models from one manufacturer, the rating system can be interpreted differently by different brands. So using UTQG to compare products from different manufacturers is questionable.
We've already talked about the fact that car manufacturers often make recommendations as to what sizes and types of tires are best for a particular vehicle. These recommendations are based on size, weight, off-road capacity and handling data for each vehicle model.
Changing the size and type of tires can affect the ride quality of the vehicle. We have already mentioned this when talking about the trend of using larger tires. Changing the tire size also affects the accuracy of the speedometer reading. The fact is that in most cars the speedometer measures the number of complete revolutions of the wheel. As the size of the wheel increases, the time it takes for the wheel to complete a full revolution will increase. If the speedometer is fitted only
If you have an automatic transmission, increasing the tire size will slow down gear changes. This, in turn, will increase fuel consumption.
On the other hand, reducing tire size also has a number of negative consequences. As you know, tires keep the car off the ground. As a rule, the larger the tires, the more load they can handle. By choosing smaller tires, you risk your safety: new wheels may simply not support the weight of the car.
When changing the tire size, take into account the associated peculiarities and make adjustments so that all systems in the vehicle function correctly.
10. Car service during tire fitting.
A diagnostic inspection of a car is not free, but a problem that is not identified in a timely manner will ultimately cost much more. Tire service is a great diagnostic opportunity while the car is on the lift.
CV joints, tie rods, brakes, suspension - all these elements can be dealt with during shnomontazh. When installing tires, they will be balanced, but if the suspension is not in order, the tires will wear out much faster. Take care of the suspension before installing new tires.
For diagnostics, contact a trusted, experienced and reliable specialist. Identifying a problem in time will help you save money and protect you from unexpected problems on the road.
11. Read reviews.
Study the opinions and reviews of other buyers, find out how economical a particular model is, which tire is the most wear-resistant, what is its noise level, whether problems with grip on dry or wet roads are possible, what problems motorists have encountered when choosing this model.
Not all tires are the same when it comes to aquaplaning resistance, braking, handling, etc. And the most expensive model isn't necessarily the best. This is why it is helpful to know the opinions of other drivers.
Identifying your needs will help narrow your search. Which tire features do you prioritize: low noise level, durability or a high level of protection against aquaplaning?
12. Take care of new tires.
So, you have selected and bought new tires. Do you think that's all? New tires also need attention. It is important to periodically swap tires to ensure more even wear and longer service life. As well as the rotation and timely servicing of the wheels will reduce noise and fuel consumption, and maintain optimal grip on wet roads.
On front-wheel drive vehicles, where tires of the same size are installed on both axles, the right and left, rear and front wheels are swapped in places. In rear-wheel drive vehicles, the front wheels are set backwards, the rear wheels are set forward. In front-wheel drive vehicles, the wheels are rearranged crosswise.
Some sports cars and luxury cars are fitted with directional asymmetric tread pattern - when these tires rotate, the front and rear wheels are swapped. On the sidewalls of some tires, the direction of rotation is indicated, as well as which side is outside and which side is inside.
If a spare wheel is involved in rotation, it is better to install it on the right side of the rear axle. Familiarize yourself with the rules of rotation of tires, set out in the vehicle manual.
It is important to check your tire pressure regularly because:
- a properly inflated tire generates less heat and creates less friction with the road, saves less fuel and wears out more slowly;
- an under- or over-inflated tire wears out unevenly;
- a flat tire has poorer handling as the sidewalls lose their rigidity.
It is useful for drivers of light commercial vehicles and SUVs to know that when pressure is lost, the tire's resistance to stress also decreases. So, if you are going on vacation with the whole family, check the pressure and inflate the tires. Under-inflated tires heat up faster and are more likely to burst.
Copying and publication of news is allowed with reference to
Recently, we have noticed that buyers have become more and more interested in the year of production of the tire.
Is this parameter really that important?
Let's try to figure it out.
Tire release date - should you look for the "freshest" tires?
In recent years, we have noticed that discerning buyers are increasingly interested in the year of manufacture of the wheels they are purchasing. Is this parameter really that important?
Let's try to find out.
We are forced to note that many customers often do not understand themselves why they need the freshest tires, because we are not talking about hot cakes. There is a mass of contradictory and unfounded information on this matter on the Internet, therefore, to try to understand this issue, we use the most objective and authoritative expert opinion from Michelin.
TIRES ARE NOT BANANAS!
Apparently, even this leading corporation could not help but respond to the growing problem, and the Philippine division launched a special explanatory campaign "Tires are not bananas!" People fear that tires will "age" over time. Three independent studies carried out in South Korea, Germany and Saudi Arabia prove that under storage conditions of +40 degrees Celsius for 20 years, the condition of tires will be similar to a mileage of 40,000 km. And a year of active operation is approximately equal to ten years of storage in a warehouse.
Numerous tests have revealed that after a three-year storage of the tire, there is practically no difference with the newly produced ones. Braking, acceleration, rearrangement on conventionally "old" tires are identical to conventionally "new" ones, and the resource and impact resistance are also no different. So calling all the shops in the city in search of "fresh" is pointless.
By the way, the domestic GOST also speaks unambiguously - within five years from the date of production, tires can be sold safely. With proper storage, wheels do not lose their properties for more than five years, because they are resistant to temperature extremes.
But in pursuit of the "freshest" tires, many buyers overlook the fact that it is much more important for their health, tire life, and trouble-free driving to monitor pressure, uniform wear, and avoid overloading during operation. After all, even a seemingly insignificant deviation of 0.3 atm. in one direction or another can reduce the life of the tire by a quarter, and overloading can even lead to fatal damage to the cord or hermetic layer.
Another point that some of the customers of tire shops do not take into account: the tires at the manufacturer's factory are pre-made. For example, in the spring of 2018, you ask the seller in the store to pick up tires for you with the production date of exactly 2018.But after all, the release of the summer range begins in the fall of 2017, and the required standard size of the required year may not be in stock at all!
2) During operation, pay more attention to the condition of the wheels, damage, and pressure, which should correspond to the recommended values.
3) Keep in mind: three-year-old tires are virtually identical in performance to those produced recently. And let's add on our own: in our experience, in studded wheels that have been in the warehouse for a couple of years, the stud holds better. The reason for this is diffusion, although it does not reach noticeable values, but objectively it is possible to lose the thorns is noticeably reduced. As such, research on this topic has hardly been carried out, but practice shows that this is exactly the case.
Dexterous marketers have caught motorists on the hook for "fresh tires." The successfully created myth about the high quality of rubber "straight from the oven" pushes the interest of drivers. Tires that have been in the warehouse for a year or two are already considered old, and therefore are not in demand. Is there a grain of logic and justice in such a position?
When does old age begin?
The popularity of fresh tires is on the rise amid the tire giants' secretiveness about tire aging. It is rather difficult to draw a line between "youth" and "old age" of a tire, since the condition of the rubber is influenced by the driving style, climatic conditions, and the intensity of use. The fact plays into the hands of manufacturers that with active use, tires grind off faster than the guaranteed aging moment. Consequently, it is difficult for motorists to name the moment when exactly the rubber enters the retirement age.
Scientists have verified that tires age due to the penetration of ozone gas contained in the atmosphere into the pores of the rubber. At the same time, sulfur compounds are destroyed between the rubber molecules, and the tire becomes less elastic. If the rubber has been stored and not used, the product becomes brittle and hard, and the molecules of the rubber mass "crumble".
Road pensioners
It has been theoretically established and practically confirmed that wheels over 7-8 years old are potentially dangerous. Analysts of the expert company Dekra argue: if tires have been in the seller's warehouse for more than 7 years before the purchase, the risk of getting into an accident with them increases. Analysis of severe accidents on the roads proved that cars with dinosaur tires up to 12 years old were involved in all of them. It is impossible to operate such wheels, since the rubber dries up, and microcracks appear on the surface, threatening to turn into ruptures and through side holes. The signs of aging will also affect the tire's winter suitability and wet performance.
It is believed that from the moment of production, the tire can be stored at the seller's warehouse for five years, and after another five years it can be safely used. Despite the fact that many manufacturers prescribe tires up to 10 years of life, it is difficult to find such mastodons in stores: this is the lot of flea markets. Such conclusions are made by American scientists, however, it is not worth comparing the quality of Ukrainian and American roads, and therefore it is better to approach such "authoritative" statements with a healthy dose of skepticism. German experts, for example, limit the shelf life of new tires to 6 years, and specialists from Continental advise at all to change tires after four seasons. Russian pneumatic tire certification bodies allocate a five-year warranty period for the tire, starting from the date of manufacture. It is not surprising that the employees of car services recommend, after the expiration date (on average 5-6 years), to change even those tires that have been used little or have been lying idle at all.
Experienced tires
If everything is very clear with wheels of a critical age, then what about middle-aged tires? How effectively can rubber produced 4-6 years ago be used? French giant Michelin offers its guarantees of durability and reliability, claiming that its tires can last up to ten years if the tires are ridden under normal conditions throughout their life. Thus, a constant effect on rubber activates special softeners in it, which block the appearance of cracks and hardening. Drivers have the right to be wary of such assurances, since other manufacturers generally refrain from commenting on this. We can conclude: if rubber produced 4-5 years ago entered permanent intensive use, it will boldly "last" on the road for another five years; if a five- or six-year tire is used occasionally, its warranty period has expired and the tire needs to be replaced.
Experts give their own estimates of the durability of tires:
- - Summer tires can be used for no more than 8 years, if the maximum permissible speed on them is 180 km / h (speed index S), in relation to tires with speed indexes H, V and ZR scientists are less optimistic. If the rubber can withstand high loads, it can serve for 4-6 years. A year in the warehouse of the seller or manufacturer will not harm the tires, and maintaining the necessary storage conditions will not worsen the driving characteristics even after two years of inactivity. Among other things, some drivers note that innovative imported tires enter domestic stores only a year or two after the world "debut" or in the year of release, but in limited quantities;
- Winter tires lose their characteristics after 4 years of operation. The tread compound “glazes” over time. Among reputable companies, there are two diametric opinions about the shelf life of rubber: the German auto club ADAC claims that after two years of storage, a winter tire should be sold cheaper, since it is no longer considered new, Semperit - that, if properly stored by the manufacturer and the seller, the tire retains its novelty throughout the first two years.
Since theoretical scientists and practitioners agree only on the dangers of new tires over 6-8 years old, all tires up to this age can be considered safe. Due to the peculiarities of the market, many stores offer their customers wheels no older than 3-4 years, considering this to be the optimal period for storing wheels without further loss of functionality. The choice is up to the drivers.
Tires from different batches are indistinguishable
Not on the move, not by touch, not externally ... The fact is that for leading tire manufacturers, the stability of product quality is a matter of safety, reliability and prestige. Therefore, at all factories and for each shift, there are very strict requirements for the uniformity of the rubber compound formulation, the quality of its components, the procedure for manufacturing tire parts and final assembly, as well as for the final product control. As a result, tires of the same model with the same speed and load index, manufactured in different cities and countries, are real twins, the difference between which sometimes cannot be determined by sensitive equipment.
Tire dealers don't sort tires by sets
When a large trading house has a turnover of tens and hundreds of thousands of tires, there is no need to arrange them in separate sets. It is considered sufficient to allocate a separate space in the warehouse for a specific model in different standard sizes. In addition, there is no common understanding of how many tires a set consists of: some motorists believe that this is a set of four tires, others of five (along with a spare).
If one tire is damaged, is it worth replacing the entire set?
It would be strange if one tire had to replace the other three. On a global scale, this would be a real financial and environmental disaster. This is another reason why the manufacturer makes every effort to ensure that tires from different batches do not differ in performance. Therefore, a tire of the same model and standard size with the same load and speed indices can be safely bought and installed at least on the other side of the world - the car's driving characteristics will not change.
Transport and storage conditions are more important than production date
Imagine that you managed to find tires from the same batch in different places. Only two wheels were brought from the factory to a large dealer in a specially equipped trailer, and then stored vertically on a shelf at the proper temperature, turning a little every month to avoid deformation. And the other two tires were delivered, thrown into the back, and they waited for sale on the open market, piled in a heap. And then the question of the same safety of the rubber compound and the carcass remains open ... Therefore, manufacturers recommend buying tires from authorized dealers, in which they are confident, since they themselves inspect the observance of tire storage conditions on an ongoing basis.
The choice of a new model is a guarantee of the "freshness" of the tires
The safety margin of high-quality tires with proper care, operation and storage is noticeably more than 5 official years of warranty, but for reliability, tire workers take as a basis a typical everyday scenario with its yard storage, temperature extremes, road reagents and pits on the asphalt. Even in a warehouse, the rubber compound, albeit a little, is aging - the bonds between the molecules are weakened, microcracks appear, which, with strong impacts, can turn into bulges and ruptures. The simplest advice in this case is to choose tires from a newer model line. This way you will get the best performance and be sure of a short shelf life.
Even at the dawn of the automotive industry, when the tires of cars were made of natural rubber, which melted in the sun and turned dull from frost, designers and manufacturers thought about something more perfect. After all, such tires did not go far from the wheel on the cart of a horse-drawn carriage. As a result, technologies have evolved, oil processing methods have improved, times have changed.
In 1927, by the way, by the Soviet scientist Sergei Vasilievich Lebedev, synthetic rubber was obtained, which became the progenitor of the material of modern tires. But such a material did not become a panacea, except for the rubber itself providing high performance properties for tires, the shape and profiles of the tire were also important. Subsequently, the treads of the tires became flat in order to provide a large area with the road, which means stability on the road. In addition, a protector appeared on them. At the same time, in some cases, the tire tread required a certain installation of tires, according to their rotation. It is about these very cases of installation, as well as what will happen if the tires are installed incorrectly, we will tell in our article.
Tire rotation direction or types of tire tread
If you pay attention to the tire treads that drive around your city, then the most attentive will surely see that the tires are different. In one case, the tread pattern is like a checkerboard, just squares, in the other there is a strict directionality, relative to the transverse axis of the wheel, and symmetrical. And, in the end, the directionality about this axis is asymmetric. That is, we can say about the banal, very well-known fact that tire treads are: directional and non-directional. Moreover, the welded tire tread can be symmetrical or asymmetric.
(Classification of the type of tire based on the type of tread)
So why do manufacturers bother with this pattern, what role does it play in tire use? After all, all this is clearly not only for the sake of beauty.
Fitting tires to the tread on the tire
We'll start with the case where the tread is non-directional. In this case, there is no need to talk about the correct installation of the tire, as to where it should rotate. That in one direction, that in the other - no difference. Another thing is when the protector is directional.
For a car enthusiast - a layman who does not want to delve into the essence of the matter, everything is simple. Look at the marking on the rim "ROTATION", which translates from English as rotation, and put the tire on the car in accordance with the rotation of the wheel in the direction of the forward movement of the car.
Or marking "outside" ...
For those who want to know why the tire should be melted this way and not otherwise, and what can be affected by the incorrect installation of the tire, we will tell you the following.
The direction of the tread on the tire is designed to drain liquid, dirt, and snow slurry from under it, that is, everything that has a low viscosity. In this case, this withdrawal is necessary in order to avoid the so-called effect of aquaplaning. That is, to prevent the loss of contact between the road and the rubber. We will not explain why this very contact is needed. We'd better tell you about how the directional tread removes all this from under the contact patch of the tire with the road.
How a properly installed tire with directional tread reduces the effect of aquaplaning
Here you can talk and explain for a long time. But it is better, as they say, to see once. We made a gif especially for you. Take a look.
Basically, the tread works like the blades on a centrifugal pump when it pumps water, except that the driving force here is not centrifugal force, but force from squeezing water into the tread grooves. The force is generated every time the tire hits the slurry it needs to squeeze out. So water, dirt, wet snow are squeezed into the groove and discharged outside. The wheel rotates further, and new water is squeezed out into the groove again along the direction of the vehicle. By removing this "grease", the contact between the tire and the road is improved, resulting in a safer ride. Everything is so simple and logical. Here I would like to say about the direction of the drawing. As we have already said, you can pay attention to the marking "ROTATION", or you can look at the picture.
(tire installed correctly)
So, the tread grooves should always move away from the contact patch of the tire with the road towards the rear of the car, if you look at the wheels on the left from above. And the opposite situation is for the wheels on the right. In this case, you do not need to look for the markings on the rim. I looked at the tread pattern and put the tire on the car according to the pattern.
What happens if directional tires are installed in the wrong direction
Here everything is according to the logic of what is happening, but in the reverse order. If everything under our wheels (mud, wet snow, water) will be more difficult to squeeze out, since the grooves will be directed to the intake of this entire environment, then in fact it will turn out that in the center of the tire, in the contact patch, excess pressure will form. It will try to lift the tire, which contributes to the deterioration of the grip of the rubber on the road. It is not safe by itself.
However, if we talk about a dry road, when there is no water on the street, or it is frosty and there is just snow, then the presence of such grooves that drain water, slurry, in fact, does not oblige you to anything. Also, such grooves will not affect the situation with a limited speed, of the order of 5-20 km / h.
Summarizing the correct and incorrect installation of directional tires on the machine
So, the direction of the tread grooves on the tire was not invented just for beauty. If they are, then it is better to use them. The directional tread grooves help drain fluids from under the wheel and thereby improve contact between the rubber and the road. Therefore, pay attention to the correct installation of the tire. When installing a tire, you need to pay attention to its tread. At the same time, such a statement applies not only to the one who puts the already rimmed wheel on the car, but also to the mechanics who install the tire on the disk. After all, the car must have two wheels on the left side and two on the right. Not otherwise!
Well, and about the case when the operation is all carried out with incorrectly installed tires. If the street is dry, then there will be no difference. If it is not slush outside, it rained, then be extremely careful. It will be very difficult to get the car out of aquaplaning, and there is no need to talk about the sad results. You yourself know all about it without us.
