(Updated) Tires are to the car what shoes are to people: it is the only element of the car that is in contact with the asphalt. Therefore, in the case of vehicles, if they are not in good condition, they can seriously compromise driving safety. Therefore, it is vitally important to check tires regularly to avoid surprises. You don’t have to change them only when you suffer an irreparable puncture, you also have to do it when they show damage, have exceeded the wear limit or, simply, have aged.
According to the Royal Automobile Club of Spain (RACE), it is convenient to check the tire pressure on a regular basis, at least once a month, so you can take advantage of that moment to inspect its general condition. It is a question of observing -and measuring if it is considered due to wear- the depth of the pattern, checking the condition of the tread and warning of the existence of any deterioration in the flanks. This simple action can extend the life of the product, as pointed out by the Michelin experts we have consulted.
The less drawing, the more risk of aquaplaning
According to the regulations, the tire tread cannot be less than 1.6 millimeters, even so, it is best to change them when the depth is less than 3 millimeters, since the function of water drainage on wet roads is already reduced by below that depth, thereby increasing the risk of aquaplaning. Aquaplaning is a phenomenon that occurs at high speed and on wet roads when the tire is unable to evacuate the film of water on which it treads due to the poor tread of the wheel and the amount of water that it must evacuate. The result is that the car “slides” on the film of water and loses grip on the asphalt and directionality
In addition to checking tread depth, it is necessary to determine if there is uneven tread wear. If so, it means that either the pressure is inadequate or the car has an imbalance problem that may be due to uneven shock absorber wear, transmission problems or wheel alignment. Normally if the wear is detected only on one of the ends of the tread (either the inside or the outside) it is due to the wheel being out of balance or misaligned; if it is in both, everything indicates that the tires do not have the correct pressure; and if it is on the entire central surface, the problem is that the tires have more pressure than they need.
Tires can sometimes be damaged when we hit a curb or run over a sharp object. In the event that you inspect the shoes of your car and see any bulge, cut, perforation or deformation, it is necessary that you go to a specialist who will determine if the problem can be repaired or if the rubber needs to be replaced.
Watch the passing of the years
When we do very few kilometers with our car, the tire pattern lasts longer but that does not mean that they should not be changed since the tires age and show signs of fatigue that translate into a loss of grip. Normally, they harden and lose their elasticity and adhesion properties. There is no master formula that can exactly predict the useful life of the product, since there are multiple factors that affect its longevity such as extreme environmental temperatures, the maintenance they receive, the load they support, the speed at which they circulate or the pressure that they carry At the moment in which its deterioration is identified, an expert should be consulted.
There are times when, despite the passage of time, the tires seem to be in good condition, but Michelin recommends that when they have been used for more than five years, they should be inspected in depth annually. Likewise, as a precautionary measure, it advises replacing them in the event that they have not been changed in a decade from their date of manufacture. You can find this information on the side of the rubber as we explain in this other article on how to read a tire.
Factors influencing the choice
The choice of the most suitable footwear for the vehicle must be made based on three considerations: the dimension or measurement of the tire, the weather conditions of the place where it is going to be driven regularly and the type of driving that will be done. It is not the same to buy tires for a Land Rover Discovery that will drive regularly on the slopes of the Pyrenees than to buy it for a Porsche 911 Carrera that will go for a walk on the weekends on the twisty secondary roads of Andalusia and will end up doing a batch in the Circuit from Jerez.
The technical file of the vehicle indicates exactly what tire sizes we can mount on the car. In the case of 4x4s, Michelin recommends choosing the same tire for all four wheels (brand, size, pattern, load index and speed code), unless the car manufacturer authorizes different measurements on the front and rear axles. something that is usually reflected in the technical sheet of the vehicle.
Specific tires for extreme climates
The climate is a factor to take into account when choosing the tire, which can be special for summer, winter or for the whole year. According to all the specialists consulted on car maintenance, the reason why these types are distinguished is temperature, which affects grip: “with winter tires the car adheres perfectly to the road when it is cold, since softer rubber compound remains flexible at low temperatures
The effectiveness of winter tires is very good on wet pavement, as their specific pattern and its considerable depth in the tread favor the evacuation of water. They also offer increased traction on snow and ice.
Conventional models (also known as summer tires) can be used if the thermometer reads at least 7 degrees; below this figure, its performance degrades noticeably. Made with harder rubber they offer greater grip in hot weather. The mixed ones, on the other hand, can be used all year round as long as the temperatures are not extreme, although their wear is greater than that of the specific products of each season. In recent years, the offer of all-season tires has increased that allow you to drive, even on snow, without using chains. In this link we tell you more about winter tires and the differences with respect to conventional ones.
Finally, when choosing a tire we must consider where we are going to drive: whether on asphalt, dirt or both. And in each case, we must anticipate whether we will drive mainly through the city, motorway, circuit, forest tracks…
Tires influence consumption
Urban driving, with its constant stops and starts, demands a lot from a tire, so it is advisable to choose ones with a longer life and low rolling resistance to contain consumption. For road and motorway, it is necessary to mount tires that maintain speed well, offer a high level of grip, achieve the minimum braking distance in the wet and guarantee good driving comfort in terms of vibrations and noise. If we have a high-performance car or we are going to do circuit sessions occasionally or regularly, we must choose specific products.
In the event that you are used to driving on tracks and roads in poor condition, it is advisable to equip the vehicle with dirt tires that guarantee traction, prevent the car from slipping on surfaces with very little grip and are reinforced so as not to suffer damage when They step on uneven terrain or with many stones. In any case, if you also use the car on asphalt, it is better that you choose a mixed model, which works properly in any circumstance.
