The Improvement of Tyres
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011Most of the drivers don?t care a great deal about car tyres. They only take notice when tyres fail other than that putting air when the air pressure gets low is all that the motorists think is necessary. However, automotive engineering have undergone an evolution in tyres since the nineteen sixties, and contemporary tyres are safer, cheaper, and more economical than ever.
In the beginning, tyres were considered to be part of the suspension system. As suspensions were archaic and streets were bumpy, these tyres were huge, very flexible, and prone to break. Dangerous blow-outs were regular in old school white-wall tyres. Lack of pressure in one tyre at that time could pitch the whole car terribly and drivers had hard time controlling the car.
Engineers therefore designed thinner and thinner tyres, secured by increasingly more sophisticated suspensions. Having lessons they had learned from racing and high performance cars, engineers developed tyres which were wider and flatter, permitting for more grip on the road. It not only enhanced grip but also aided the speed and handling. Tyres in addition lost the inner-tubes, instead relying on air-proof rims and air-tight seals against the rim. Inner-tubes were flimsy and put excessive pressure to the tyre to remain inflated.
In 1990s, engineers put more consideration in enhancing safety and resilience. The extensive use of front wheel drive meant that tyres will wear out faster, since those tyres were doing both the driving and the steering. As a result, tyres that were hard enough to take the wear and also provide the braking power was designed. New types of tread were developed also, and tires started to diversify, with tough, gripping tires for sports cars and smooth, comfortable tires for average vehicles.
Tyres have moved some distance and presently last for a longer time and are much safer than before. But, nevertheless they need usual maintenance and must be examined by a mechanic 2-3 times every year. Also tyres which are losing tread must be replaced, as they eat away the mileage and make it harder for the car to turn or stop quickly, which make accidents more likely. Thanks to the progress of tyres, we see fewer accidents and get better mileage.