Previously, we satirically discussed most common and expensive mistakes drivers always make and it was quite informative ;today we are to look deeply and analytically into some facts about tyres and maintenance.


A tyre according to Wikipedia is a ring-shaped component that surrounds a wheel's rim to transfer a vehicle's load from the axle through the wheel to the ground and to provide traction on the surface traveled over. Tyres provide a footprint that is designed to match the weight of the vehicle with the bearing strength of the surface that it rolls over by providing a bearing pressure that will not deform the surface excessively.

According to the federal road safety laws, tyres are suppose to have a life span of 4 years from the date it was manufactured. that doesnt mean you must use the tyre for like four years. tyres wear and tear and there are circumstances which you are supposed to change your tyre. Like other parts of the car, Tyres are to be maintained too. Below are some of the cases you will need to change your tyre:

1. Constantly Having Flat Tyres:
flat tyre occurs when a tyre deflates. This occurs as a result of normal wear-and-tear, a leak, or more serious damage. A tyre that has lost sufficient pressure will impair the stability of the vehicle and may damage the tyre further if continued to drive in this condition.
The tyre should be changed and/or repaired before it becomes completely flat. Continuing to drive a vehicle with flat tyre(s) will damage the tyre(s) beyond repair ,may damage the rim(s) and the vehicle and put the occupants and other vehicles in danger.
A flat or low-pressure tyres should be considered an emergency requiring immediate attention. Some tyres known as 'run-flat tyres', have either extremely stiff sidewalls or a resilient filler to allow driving a limited distance while flat, usually at reduced speed without permanent damage or hazard.
Note that if you keep having flat tyres, your tyres need be changed. Always put new tyres at the rear wheel (behind) and old ones in front. Always make sure your spare tyre is in good condition..

2. Appearance Of Tyre Bubbles:

This is also referred to as bulges/bumps/protrusions/carbuncles. It occurs when the sidewall of the tyre has failed resulting in protrusion Causes include high speed, over inflation, or poor tyre construction or manufacturing. It is generally recommended that the tyre be replaced since there is high probability of tyre failure.
It can occur in the inner or outer sidewall and can be easily seen or recognized when looking at the symmetry of the tyre lettering on the sidewall of the tyre.
To avoid this protrusion one is advised to always buy new tyres rather than fairly used. One must not over gauge or overinflate tyres. To know the normal gauge for Hyundai i10, for instance, check the edge of driver side door when opened as shown below:

Normal gauge for Hyundai i10 is 32.
The average weight for the tyre is also indicated there. Try and study all these which are also included in vehicle manuals to be safe and also make other road users safe.

Detailed Study Of Tyre:

Tyres will have something similar, like this printed on the side of it: P185/75 R14 82S

The first letter means type of tyre for certain vehicles:
P = Passenger vehicles tyre
T = Truck vehicles tyre

The three digit number (185) is the Width. It refers to the tyre width in millimeters. It is measured in mm from sidewall to sidewall.

The two digit number (75) is the Aspect Ratio. It is the ratio of the height of the tyre's cross-section to its width. The number 75 means the height is 75% of the width of the tyre.

The letter (R) stands for Radial. This means the layers run radially across the tyre.

The number (14) is the Wheel Diameter. It is the size of the wheel measured from one end to the other. It tells the size of the wheel or rim that the tyre is intended to fit on.
The next number (82) is the Load Index. Load index means the maximum load the tyre can support when inflated to the recommended gauge. The Load Index can as well be found on the sidewall of the tyre in both LBS pounds and KG kilograms-not in all tyres.

The last letter (S) shows the Speed Rating. The Speed Rating tells the maximum speed capability of a tyre when inflated at the recommended gauge. A tyre with an S speed rating has a maximum speed capability of 180kmph-not found in some tyres.

How to determine your tyre speed rating
Here is a chart that will identify your tyre speed rating. The last letter on your tyre will be one of the letters below:
M = 130 kmph
N =140 kmph = Spare Tyres
P = 150 kmph
Q = 160 kmph = Winter Tyres
R = 170 kmph = Truck Tyres
S = 180 kmph = Cars and Minivans
T = 190 kmph = Cars and Minivans
U = 200 kmph = Sport Performance Cars
V = 240 kmph = High Performance Cars
W = 270 kmph = Ultra High-Performance Cars
Y = 300 kmph = Ultra High-Performance Cars


For more picture explanation read more @ https://gossime..com/2018/07/details-about-tyre-and-its-maintenance.html

Cc Lalasticala