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Improving the life of tyres


jonathan07

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We all know that tyres are much more than just rubber and whatever else may be placed in them. They are essential to the look of any vehicle and can make a huge difference in how good, or bad a vehicle looks. Tyres are also essential for the overall health and life of the vehicle.

 

We understand that not properly caring for our tyres can lead to poor gas mileage, and a bad driving experience overall. Anyone who has tried to drive in bad weather with a set of old tyres understands how poor tyres can impact the quality of the driving experience. We also know that a vehicles ability to navigate corners effectively is completely dependent upon the quality of the tyres on the car.

 

I already have a great understanding about how to maintain my tyres properly, but I wanted to learn more, and share what I have learned with everyone here. I started my search on the internet and eventually found this page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_One_tyres on Wikipedia. I was amazed to find that GoodYear tyres have been the leading tyre for Formula One Racing for nearly a decade. It is no wonder it has grown to become one of the biggest producers of tyres on the planet. They have recently decided to focus more of their business on the private sector, but the experience and knowledge gained from Formula One Racing has made a huge difference in the quality of the tyres on the market today.

 

I found several websites that discuss tyres and the importance of proper maintenance. They all offered the typical information about tyres in order to improve their performance and overall life span. I also stumbled upon a few companies that provide tyre sales, rotation, and replacement.

 

I continued my search and found a variety of information. I never realized there were so many aspects of maintaining the health of our tyres. Here are some tips to help keep tyres lasting longer. Some of these tips you may already know, but I am hoping to provide people with some information they don't already have.

 

1. The numbers and letters on the side of the tyre have very specific meanings. I already had a good idea about the fact that the numbers and letters had a meaning, but I wasn't aware of all the information that is located on a tyre.

2. Air pressure is essential to the health of a tyre. It also effects the gas mileage of the vehicle itself.

3. There are tools available that allow you to inspect the health of your tyres. It is worth investing in a few of these cheap tools in order to get the most out of tyres. One investment is an American penny. The tread on a tyre should at least touch Abraham Lincoln's head on a penny.

4. We all know about rotating our tyres. Tyre rotation allows us to prolong the life of our tyres, as well as improve how safe they are. Tyres should be rotated at least every 6,000 miles.

5. Properly balanced tyres are essential. A tyre out of balance will wear unevenly, and can ultimately lead to problems within the vehicle itself.

6. At one time in the history of vehicles it was much more essential to get your tyres aligned properly. Though things have changed a bit the need to align tyres properly is still there. Tyres that aren't properly aligned can lead to damages in the vehicle, as well as poor performance from the tyres themselves.

7. There is actually a right and a wrong way for washing tyres. A clean set of tyres can make a huge difference in the appearance of a vehicle, but many cleaning products are petroleum based or contain countless harsh acids. These products can actually effect the overall health of a tyre, and there are now eco-friendly products on the market that can make those tyres shine just as brightly as petroleum based products.

 

These are just the basics of tyre care and maintenance. What other tips do you folks have for prolonging the life of our tyres and getting the most out of them. Tyres can get expensive, so how can we improve the overall quality and life span of our tyres without sacrificing safety or performance?

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now please don't take this the wrong way, the time, effort and research you have taken to write this thread is to be applauded.......but.........

I would guess that the majority of people on here (me included), will buy the general purpose all year round tyre, make sure it is legal for its life, (praying it get through its next mot),

check the tyre pressures, and basically kick them every now and then, and of course we have no control over the states of our roads these days, which again I believe is the main cause of tyres, not living out there full life, again just my own thoughts on the subject, no offence intended.

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interesting

 

now mention of tyre gel?

 

 

...I would guess that the majority of people on here (me included), will buy the general purpose all year round tyre, make sure it is legal for its life, (praying it get through its next mot),...

 

I must be the only one who has a road set, winter set and track set?

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interesting

 

now mention of tyre gel?

 

 

...I would guess that the majority of people on here (me included), will buy the general purpose all year round tyre, make sure it is legal for its life, (praying it get through its next mot),...

 

I must be the only one who has a road set, winter set and track set?

 

sorry JC I would put money on that one, but that said suppose it depends on your job, as in how much you drive :innocent:

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I was a tyre fitter, kicking tyres is pointless, it solves Fcuk all. Pressure gauge and visual check is the best thing to do.

 

now please don't take this the wrong way, the time, effort and research you have taken to write this thread is to be applauded.......but.........

I would guess that the majority of people on here (me included), will buy the general purpose all year round tyre, make sure it is legal for its life, (praying it get through its next mot),

check the tyre pressures, and basically kick them every now and then, and of course we have no control over the states of our roads these days, which again I believe is the main cause of tyres, not living out there full life, again just my own thoughts on the subject, no offence intended.

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interesting

 

now mention of tyre gel?

 

 

...I would guess that the majority of people on here (me included), will buy the general purpose all year round tyre, make sure it is legal for its life, (praying it get through its next mot),...

 

I must be the only one who has a road set, winter set and track set?

 

 

i have both summer AND winter tyres on rims ...but no track tyres ..not sure my taxi would beat much

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I was a tyre fitter, kicking tyres is pointless, it solves Fcuk all. Pressure gauge and visual check is the best thing to do.

 

now please don't take this the wrong way, the time, effort and research you have taken to write this thread is to be applauded.......but.........

I would guess that the majority of people on here (me included), will buy the general purpose all year round tyre, make sure it is legal for its life, (praying it get through its next mot),

check the tyre pressures, and basically kick them every now and then, and of course we have no control over the states of our roads these days, which again I believe is the main cause of tyres, not living out there full life, again just my own thoughts on the subject, no offence intended.

 

seriously, I was using that term "kicking", as a generalisation :roll:

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