Tyre’d of the same old myths?
Do you know that Swallows stock a full range of summer and winter tyres for all models and brands, coupled with high level fitting and balancing machines you are sure to get an exceptional service every time.
If you are unsure of the correct tyre for you then give us a call and our team can advise on the best option for your budget and driving requirements, We are also a Pirelli agent being able to offer the latest in date tyres which are critical to Pirelli standards unlike discount tyre outlets selling old stock tyres which do not meet these specifications.
How is tyre wear caused?
Wear is caused almost exclusively by the friction that occurs during driving on the tyre’s contact area, and as a result of related forces such as engine torque, braking and steering torque. Friction as the tyres rotates is caused by the compression that the tyre structure experiences due to the load it has to bear.
Yet we could say that this is just part of the game. The appearance of a bulge on the flank of the tyre, on the other hand, is a clear sign that the tyre’s carcass has been damaged. The cause? Accidental collisions with the pavement or other obstacles found on bad roads and potholes. However, this ‘bubble’ may also be generated by low tyre pressure, overloading or, in some cases, a car with a too rigid distribution. In this situation, the solution is clear and the tyre must be replaced.
Tyre inflation?
The inflation pressure is nothing other than the quantity of air which we are able to compress within the tyre carcass in order to allow the tread to ensure adherence to the road surface, every tyre loses around 0.8 bar per month through natural causes. Thus, without even taking into consideration minor perforations, or air losses through valves or valve caps, it is obvious that after a period of only three months the wheels lose their ideal inflation level. If a tyre has, let us say, an average life of 24,000 miles, around 5,000 of these will be lost simply because of the laziness of not having ensured a regular top-up to the correct pressures.
You should check your tyres when they are cold, as the pressure is usually higher if the tyres are warm, so you might get an incorrect reading. While it’s not that tricky to use a pressure gauge, if you’re not in a hurry you might be better off asking us here at Swallows. You can check the correct value for your car by consulting the manual.
How do you check tyre wear?
A visual and tactile check of the surface is certainly an effective starting point to identify any irregularities. Pay particular attention to any signs of swelling and cuts, however small – they can deteriorate and cause serious problems at speed. Then measure the tread, going beyond the correct but not precise coin method placed in the central groove. To make the check more scientific, you can look for the tread wear indicator. It is a small, 1.6 mm high block positioned inside one of the main grooves of the tyre. To find it, look for the letters TWI on the sidewall of the tyre. If the tread has worn down to a point of grazing the indicator, the tyres must be replaced as soon as possible. Another effective method is to use an instrument bought for just a few Pounds called a tread depth gauge. Positioned in the tyre groove, it very precisely measures the tread and will tell you if it is time to go to a tyre fitter. It is worth repeating that, when it comes down to tyres, sensible choices are determined by common sense, not by the legal limit.
When should you change your tyres?
Ideally, you should replace them when the thickness drops to 3 mm for summer tyres or 4 mm for the winter ones. In any case, you should never risk reaching the legal limit for your own safety and for that of your passengers. Wear is natural for the only component with which your vehicle has contact with the road surface. Tyres are made using an increasingly sophisticated blend of chemical ingredients, which provide apparently contradictory functions like road holding and rolling resistance on asphalt that may not always be in the best state of repair. This difficult balance between the elements is naturally disrupted over time. Exposure to sunlight – in the case of summer tyres – accelerates ageing, whilst rain and snow do not make the life of winter tyres any better. Over time, tyres tend to harden, especially in the tread area. With this loss of elasticity, the compound becomes less reactive to changes of temperature and too wet conditions. Remember also that incorrect wheel geometries and failure to swap the tyres can make the situation worse.
How long should my tyres last?
In reality there are statistics that indicate that the average is between 15 and 30,000 miles for drivers who usually have a normal driving style, with peaks that can reach 50,000 miles in the case of more laid-back driving, but this figure can also fall below 7,000 miles if the driver makes the most of everything the car has to offer. Consequently, even if in principle the tyres are designed to last between 24 and 32 thousand miles, reality may have some big surprises in store. Alongside the characteristic driving of mountain roads, the metropolitan environment is without a doubt the most penalising for a set of tyres, due to the continuous changes in direction, accompanied by repeated accelerations and braking. The most favourable habitat for a tyre tread is clearly the motorway, where the constant speed and the presence of long straights guarantee conditions very close to those of laboratory tests.
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