Five Different Types of Car Tyres

By James Todman

There are many different types of car tyres. The one you choose will depend on factors such as the make of car, driving style, where you live, the time of year and how your car is used.

For instance if you spend a lot of your working day driving up and down the motorways, you will need a hard wearing tyre that doesn't create a lot of noise. If you live in the countryside a tyre that provides better grip on muddy roads would be more suitable.

This article identifies five different types of car tyres and highlights some of the differences between them:

1) Standard/ All Season Tyre

Your car was probably driven out of the factory on all season tyres. It is an average tyre that is suitable for all year round use. It works equally well in the wet and the dry.

The tread block pattern is designed not to be noisy when used on standard roads but enables adequate water dispersion to provide grip in wet conditions.

The rubber used is a harder compound to extend the tyre's life. This can comprise on handling and cornering but for the majority of drivers it is not noticeable.

2) Performance Tyre

Also known as summer tyres, performance tyres are designed for provide excellent grip in the dry. Often used on fast cars or for a driver whose style requires increased handling performance. They can be used all year round if you live in a region with a warm climate and little rain.

A soft rubber compound is used which decreases the lifespan of the tyre but provides enhanced grip.

It is important that the car tyres are kept in excellent condition. Driving in the wet is hard enough with these tyres but if there is any sign of wear it is virtually impossible to get good grip.

3) Winter Tyre

Winter car tyres are designed to cope with the poor weather and difficult driving conditions that the winter season brings. They can handle snow and ice. Winter tyres can have small metal studs embedded into the tread for extra grip in extreme conditions.

The tread block pattern on winter car tyres is larger and more pronounced than on standard tyres. This improves grip but also increases the tyres' operating noise.

These tyres cannot be used all year round because in dry conditions they wear out extremely quickly and damage the road surface.

4) All Terrain Tyre

All terrain tyres provide good grip on loose surfaces such as dirt and sand. Often used by off road vehicles, they can be used on standard roads but are very noisy.

Like the winter tyre the tread block pattern is large to improve grip. The tyre's sidewalls are stiffer to cope with uneven surfaces and unexpected potholes.

Mud tyres are an extreme type of all terrain tyres, designed to be used in mud and dirt. They have very large tread block patterns that are only suitable for driving on that type of terrain.

5) Run Flat Tyres

Run flat tyres are a relatively new concept but are now becoming more common on new cars. They are designed to minimise the loss of handling that occurs after a puncture.

The car tyre can operate without air to enable the vehicle to continue to be driven. However this is only suitable for a short distance and at a reduced speed, until the tyre can be safely changed.

For further advice consult a car tyre specialist who will provide you with impartial advice on the best tyres for your vehicle.

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Article Source: http://www.artipot.com

Selecting Car Tires for Passenger Vehicles

By Allen Wright

Car tires are cheap; you can pick up a used one just about anywhere. Car tires are one of the most important parts of a well tuned car. If you think about it, your car tires are the only contact between your vehicle and the road. Many consumers worry whether or not cheap car tires, used car tires or discount car tires are safe. Always make sure your family's car tires are inflated properly since low air in tires uses more gas than is necessary.

Tires deteriorate with age, even when sitting on a shelf, so always ask to see the date code when you purchase new tires and insist on tires that have been manufactured within the last year. Tires generally last a long time and you could be into your next car by the time your current treads need replacing. Tires over five years old should be replaced no matter how good they look. Higher-performance tires have softer pier rubber with shorter tread life. Today's car tires are built from steel and rubber which gives the tires the ability to last longer. Re-treaded passenger car tires are manufactured according to standards.

Lightweight metal rims are also available on the market. While most modern vans and SUV's use 16 to 18 inch tires (which can handle more weight), some can use much smaller tires. The load rating is the amount of weight a tire can safely carry. The unloaded weight plus maximum load is the total weight that you can tow.

A tire's ability to carry weight and dissipate heat are directly related to inflation pressure, and maintaining it is one of the most important safety procedures on any car owner's checklist. In most cases, replacement tires can be chosen based on the load rating of the original tire (listed on the sidewall) if it provided good service and if weight readings indicate that overload is not a factor.

Most passenger car tires are simply not designed to handle the weight of a full-sized van, and do not generally meet the specs for safe use. Don't wait until your car tires are worn to balance them. Re-treaded passenger car tires are manufactured according to standards, so make sure your car tires are in good condition and always maintain a full tank of gas. Car tires are cheap; you can pick up a used one just about anywhere. Car tires are one of the most important parts of a well tuned car. If you think about it, your car tires are the only contact between your vehicle and the road. Many consumers worry whether or not cheap car tires, used car tires or discount car tires are safe. Always make sure your family's car tires are inflated properly since low air in tires uses more gas than is necessary.

Tires deteriorate with age, even when sitting on a shelf, so always ask to see the date code when you purchase new tires and insist on tires that have been manufactured within the last year. Tires generally last a long time and you could be into your next car by the time your current treads need replacing. Tires over five years old should be replaced no matter how good they look. Higher-performance tires have softer pier rubber with shorter tread life. Today's car tires are built from steel and rubber which gives the tires the ability to last longer. Re-treaded passenger car tires are manufactured according to standards.

Lightweight metal rims are also available on the market. While most modern vans and SUV's use 16 to 18 inch tires (which can handle more weight), some can use much smaller tires. The load rating is the amount of weight a tire can safely carry. The unloaded weight plus maximum load is the total weight that you can tow.

A tire's ability to carry weight and dissipate heat are directly related to inflation pressure, and maintaining it is one of the most important safety procedures on any car owner's checklist. In most cases, replacement tires can be chosen based on the load rating of the original tire (listed on the sidewall) if it provided good service and if weight readings indicate that overload is not a factor.

Most passenger car tires are simply not designed to handle the weight of a full-sized van, and do not generally meet the specs for safe use. Don't wait until your car tires are worn to balance them. Re-treaded passenger car tires are manufactured according to standards, so make sure your car tires are in good condition and always maintain a full tank of gas. Also, always maintain your spare in good condition and perform a yearly inspection to make sure it is serviceable.

Allen provides cheap tire information at his cheap tire guide blog.

Article Source: http://www.artipot.com