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Whenever we think of tyres, we think they have the power to swallow every bad bit of the road. We think them as a rigid structure which can go anywhere without complaining. But if we didn’t take care of them we’ll be left grumbling as our ignorance might leave us stranded on the road. As the tyre is the only part of the car in contact with the road, it needs to be maintained well in order to avoid discomfort while travelling.
To extend the life of tyres, you need to regularly inspect them with respect to tread depth and wear and tear. We have compiled a list of top 10 tyre myths and facts for our users. Read them carefully and avoid the things you were doing wrong.
1) Myth – Tyres need to be inflated until it reaches the pressure figure (PSI) mentioned on the side wall of the tyre.
Fact – The value that you see on the side wall of the tyre is the maximum limit where it can be inflated. For instance, to know the correct pressure value in a car, open the door and look for the pressure value mentioned on the inner side of it. Or, you can refer to the owner’s manual of your vehicle and check the recommended air pressure level for your car/bike tyres.
2) Myth – Valve caps ensure the air is not lost from tyres.
Fact – The fact is valve caps are used just to cover the valve and protect it from dust, water and mud from entering. If not covered, the accumulation of these elements will lead to air loss from the valve.
3) Myth – The less is the tyre pressure, the more will be the grip on the road, especially in wet conditions as it reduces the chances of a skid.
Fact – The reality is exactly opposite. If you decrease the tyre pressure, the tread and grooves will be closed and their water dispersal capacity will be reduced drastically leading to a condition where either the wheels get locked or they skid more. So always keep tyres inflated up to the recommended level.
4) Myth – As the roads get hot in summer, it’s always good to have tyre pressure level reduced by a few PSI.
Fact – This is one of the most common myths about tyres which every Tom, Dick and Harry can suggest. If you run your vehicle with reduced PSI levels, the tyre heats up and causes the side wall to flex or bend which may lead to a possible mishap. It’s always recommended to keep the PSI levels up to the ones suggested, even during summers.
5) Myth – For winters, there’s a myth that the tyre pressure should be reduced by a few PSI to ensure the vehicle’s handling is better on wet roads.
Fact – Contrary to the popular belief, the tyre pressure should be increased by 1-2 PSI from the recommended levels when the temperature drops by three to four degrees. That’s because the drop in temperature leads to a drop in tyre pressure as well. If ignored, this might ruin your tyres’ life and could also lead to accidents.
6) Myth – Tread patterns are only required to provide improved handling on dry surfaces.
Fact – The tread patterns do help in improving the handling but their primary purpose is to dispense water on wet surfaces.
7) Myth – We can check the tyre compound, whether it’s soft or hard, through hands by touching it.
Fact – The feeling through hand will only give you a hint of its compound. Since tyres are made up of layers of different materials, its soft or hard nature cannot be determined by touching it.
8) Myth – Winter tyres are not required in normal winters, they are to be used only when there is snowfall.
Fact – The name is given for a purpose. Winter tyres are not confined to snowy conditions only, they should be put to use whenever there is a considerable drop in the temperature. If you are staying in a location where the temperature is usually below 10-degree mark, always use winter tyres. Reason being, the tyres become hard and stiff in low temperatures and deteriorate with quite visible cuts. Winter specific tyres have a different tread set up besides the special quality rubber, which helps it counter the drop in temperatures.
9) Myth – Checking your tyre pressure only on service intervals is fine.
Fact – The tyre pressure of a vehicle should be checked once in a week as tyres lose air with time.
10) Myth – Slick or racing tyres make your vehicle go faster
Fact – This is not completely true. They do help you go fast because of their superb road grip which gives you the best of the handling experiences but only in dry conditions. Better road grip of these tyres is accredited to the larger contact patch with the turf. That is why the Formula 1 and MotoGP bikes and cars have flat or bald looking tyres with no tread at all. Ultimately, it all depends on the power of your machine on how fast it can take you; the tyres just help you achieve that. However, it is not recommended to install such tyres in your vehicle for road commutes as the chances of a skid are extremely high on the wet surfaces due to the absence of treads.
Hope the above list helps you in taking care of your tyres in a better way now.
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