Tires, More Important than you Thought

The latest vehicles on the market are the most efficient, best handling, and most quiet of all time. For the most part, this is the result of excellent engineering by auto manufacturers, but don't forget about the tires. Tires are one of the most overlooked technologies in the automotive industry. They are what link your vehicle to the road.

Tires are now produced with different compounds, like high silica rubber, and innovative tread designs to achieve specific handling characteristics. These new rubber compounds and tread designs help vehicles attain a higher standard for traction and efficiency. Let's look at a few.

Specific compounds can actually minimize the rolling resistance created by the tire. This can improve fuel economy by up to 4.5%! Although this might not sound like much, the fuel saved over the lifespan of a vehicle is substantial. Hybrids, well known to be very efficient, use low rolling resistance tires, like the Toyota Prius.

Also, compounds can be manufactured for varying conditions. For example, in winter conditions, tires are made with soft rubber compounds that increase grip in the snow and ice. There are also tires made to grip best for dry conditions, but keep in mind they offer lower wet traction and absolutely no snow traction. It is these tires that are found on vehicles where extreme dry grip is an absolute priority.


Tread design is another area improving on tires, as mentioned earlier. It is the tread design that keeps tires planted on the road in different conditions. Here's how it works. In wet conditions, the treads channel water out of the tires' footprint, keeping the tires connected to the road reducing hydroplaning. In snow and ice, additional voids in the tread pattern helps improve grip on slippery terrain.

If it wasn't for these improvements, there is no way that modern vehicles would drive and handle the way they do in different conditions. So, the next time you replace your tires, do your research. I suggest that you choose a tire that provides the best combination of attributes to meet your driving needs.

Darryl

Photos Courtesy of Car and Driver