Automotive tires are more complex than most of us might think. They are quite sophisticated, intricate, and made with deep thought and care. And like most car parts, they also need care and maintenance. Here are some helpful things you may not know about your tires.
Materials for Tires
Tires come in various materials, but they are mostly a combination of rubber and some other component. The most common materials include:- Rubber. This is the main material that builds the bulk of the tire. As technology improved, new materials such as synthetic rubber have arisen. These have similar properties to natural rubber, but the cost of manufacturing is cheaper.
- Polymers. These are plastic substances added to rubber to increase durability and traction. They are also the primary component of synthetic rubber.
- Carbon black. This is what gives the rubber its black color. Carbon black makes tires resilient to friction and abrasion.
- Silica. Another component in rubber, this provides heat resistance to tires.
- Activators and other additives. Many additives are used in tire manufacturing to give them different features such as better traction, smoother movement, resistance to heat and friction, and reinforcement against wear and tear.
Tire Types
- All-season. The most common type used for all kinds of vehicles, all-season tires provide year-round functionality and road safety.
- Winter. This is best used during winter season as it gives better traction on icy and wet surfaces.
- High performance. For heavy vehicles as well as frequently-used cars, this type of tire is most suited because it has high resistance.
- All-terrain. This is the type used for sports vehicles, particularly trucks and cars that tread on rough roads and sand.
Basic Tire Maintenance
You don't necessarily have to clean tires all the time. Rather, you need to check their pressure and inflation level to ensure a safe and comfortable ride. Tires that are not equally inflated may create problems with your drive because of the unequal distribution of load.
Check your tires with a pressure gauge to see if they are at the right level. Different tire types have different pressure requirements, ranging from 20 to 40 psi. Some tires may need higher pressure, especially for industrial vehicles like mixer trucks, dump trucks, and freight vans.
Finally, don't forget to use KevianClean Wheel Cleaner to give your wheels and tires a brand new shine. Our formula is made to keep your rims sparkling and your tires black as night.