Tires are one of the most important, and often overlooked, components of vehicle safety.
Most drivers understand that worn out tires with little tread can lead to blowouts and skids, especially in wet conditions.
However, there’s more to tire safety than just tread depth. Proper tire pressure, age, type, and maintenance all play a huge role in keeping drivers safe on the roads.
This article will provide an in-depth look at the factors beyond tread that affect tire performance and safety.
We’ll explore how elements like inflation pressure, tire age, winter vs all-season tires, and alignment/rotation maintenance impact braking, handling, and control.
Consumer tips for assessing your tires will also be provided. By better understanding the role of tires, drivers can make informed decisions to equip their vehicles appropriately.
Preventative care and vigilance will minimize the chances of failure when you need your tires the most.
Tire Tread
Tire tread plays a critical role in vehicle safety and handling. As tires roll down the road, the tread pattern ensures proper contact with the pavement to grip the road, channel away water, and provide traction.
However, tread wears down over time and eventually needs to be replaced.
The minimum legal tread depth varies by country but is typically 1.6mm in the US and UK.
Tires must be replaced once they reach this threshold, indicated when the treadwear indicators become visible between the tread blocks.
Tires with insufficient tread depth risk hydroplaning on wet roads and having reduced braking and handling performance.
New tires have full tread depth to efficiently grip wet and dry roads. As the tread wears down, the tire loses its ability to properly channel water out from under the tire.
This can cause the vehicle to hydroplane, resulting in a dangerous loss of traction and control.
Tire tread impacts dry pavement grip and handling as well. Shallower tread depth limits the tire’s contact patch and ability to grip the roadway.
Reduced traction while accelerating, braking, and cornering can lead to loss of vehicle control, especially at higher speeds or with sudden maneuvers.
Maintaining the proper tire tread depth is therefore essential for safety in all driving conditions.
Understanding when to replace tires could help prevent an accident due to inadequate tread and traction.
Drivers should check tread depth regularly and look for the indicators molded into the tire’s grooves showing when tread depth is approaching the minimum legal limit.
Tire Pressure
Proper tire pressure is one of the most important factors in tire and vehicle safety, yet it is often overlooked.
Underinflated and overinflated tires can present serious risks.
Underinflation is extremely dangerous and a leading cause of tire failure. Tires can lose up to 1 psi per month due to permeation. Underinflated tires heat up more when driving, increasing the chance of blowouts. Low pressure leads to uneven treadwear, reduced fuel economy, and poorer braking and handling. Tires should be checked monthly when cold and inflated to the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended pressure found on a placard on the driver’s door jamb or in the owner’s manual.
Overinflation also poses risks. Overinflated tires wear out more quickly in the center of the tread and are more prone to road hazards and punctures. They also have less grip, making braking distances longer. An overinflated tire could rupture if it hits a pothole or curb due to less shock absorption. Never exceed the maximum pressure listed on the tire sidewall.
Maintaining proper tire pressure maximizes safety, handling, braking, tread life, and fuel efficiency. Investing in a quality tire pressure gauge and monitoring monthly provides peace of mind. Some new vehicles have a tire pressure monitoring system that alerts drivers to low pressure. While helpful, it’s still essential to manually check pressures to prevent dangerous overinflation. Proper inflation is easily overlooked but critical for safe operation.
Tire Age
Tires naturally degrade over time due to the effects of weather, road conditions, and chemical aging.
The rubber compounds in tires begin to harden as they age, resulting in decreased traction, handling, and braking performance.
Even tires that are seldom or never used can become unsafe after 6-10 years due to the age of the materials.
This is why tire manufacturers recommend replacing tires that are over 6 years old, and some claim that performance and safety diminishes significantly after 10 years even if a tire still has adequate tread.
Determining the age of a tire requires checking the DOT code printed on the sidewall. This code provides information on when the tire was manufactured, with the final four digits representing the week and year of production.
For example, a code ending in “2419” indicates the tire was made in the 24th week of 2019. Consumers should learn how to locate and decode the DOT code in order to identify old, potentially unsafe tires.
When purchasing new tires, it’s also important to check the manufacturing date to avoid stock that has been sitting too long.
Proper tire rotation can help promote more even wear, but tire aging continues regardless of tread depth.
Following manufacturer guidelines for maximum tire age, as well as regular inspection and replacement of older tires, is important for maintaining vehicle safety and performance over time.
While many factors affect tire lifespan, the age of the materials plays a significant role in degradation over time.
Checking tire date codes, avoiding excessively old inventory, and staying within recommended limits helps ensure tires have adequate integrity for grip, braking, handling, and accident avoidance.
Tire Type
The type of tire you use has a major impact on vehicle safety. There are several main categories of tires to consider:
- All-Season vs. Summer/Winter Tires – All-season tires are designed to perform decently in most conditions, while summer and winter tires offer superior performance in their respective seasons. Summer tires provide better dry and wet traction in warm weather but get hard and slippery in winter conditions. Winter tires use a softer compound and tread design to grip snow and ice but wear more quickly in warm weather. Using the right seasonal tire improves handling and braking.
- Off-Road Tires – Off-road or all-terrain tires have rugged tread blocks and reinforced sidewalls for improved traction on dirt, gravel, and uneven terrain. While great for off-road driving, they can be noisy and wear more quickly on pavement.
- High-Performance Tires – Performance tires are made from ultra high-grip compounds to provide responsive handling and grip when cornering at speed. But this comes at the cost of faster wear and less wet weather capability. High-performance tires also tend to be more expensive.
The optimal tire type depends on your vehicle, driving habits, and local climate.
Consulting an expert tire retailer can help select the right tire for your needs and ensure the greatest safety.
With the range of options available today, there’s a tire specially engineered to deliver top performance and safety in your specific conditions.
Tire Maintenance
Proper tire maintenance is critical for vehicle safety, as worn or damaged tires can lead to blowouts, skidding, and loss of control.
Here are some key maintenance tips:
Alignment, Balancing, and Rotation
Having your tires professionally aligned, balanced, and rotated according to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations helps distribute wear evenly and maximize tire life. Signs you need an alignment are your vehicle pulling to one side or uneven tire wear. Rotation can help prevent irregular wear patterns.
Inspecting for Damage
Inspect tires regularly for cuts, bulges, cracks, punctures, or other damage. Also check the tread depth using the built-in wear bars. Damaged or overly worn tires are more prone to failure and should be replaced immediately.
Tire Repair vs. Replacement
Minor tire damage from nails or screws can often be safely repaired if the puncture is not too large. But for extensive damage or when the tire tread is worn down too far, replacement is the safer option. Tires should be replaced after 6-10 years regardless of tread life due to degradation of rubber. Consult a tire shop on whether a tire can be repaired or requires replacement.
Following proper tire maintenance protocols keeps your tires in optimal shape, which is essential for safe handling, braking, acceleration, and collision avoidance. Don’t put off inspections and repairs.
Tire Technology
Advancements in tire technology have played an important role in improving vehicle safety over the years.
Tire engineers are constantly looking for new ways to enhance performance and prevent hazards like blowouts.
Some key innovations in tire tech that impact safety include:
Run-flat tires
Run-flat tires allow a vehicle to be driven for limited distances even after a loss of tire pressure.
They have reinforced sidewalls that prevent the tire from collapsing when deflated.
This enables the driver to potentially reach a safe stop to change the tire rather than being stranded on the roadside.
Modern run-flats also continue to provide adequate vehicle handling when deflated.
Tire pressure monitoring systems
Monitoring tire inflation is critical to prevent blowouts and maintain control. TPMS provides real-time pressure readings to the driver via a dash display.
Newer direct systems even show individual tire pressure. This technology alerts drivers to any loss of pressure so tires can be promptly re-inflated for optimal safety.
Emerging innovations
Companies are pioneering exciting new advances to further enhance tire capabilities. Future tires may contain sensors to monitor tread depth and temperature in addition to pressure.
Tire-integrated computing could also enable tires to automatically adjust pressure and suspension for road conditions.
Self-regenerating tire tread designs are being researched to extend tire life. These innovations will provide drivers more information and control for a safer ride.
Driving Habits for Tire Safety
Driving habits play an important role in tire safety and longevity.
Here are some tips for driving that will help your tires last longer while keeping you safe on the road:
Avoid potholes and curbs whenever possible. Hitting potholes or rubbing up against curbs can damage tires and wheels. Try to swerve around potholes and keep a bit of distance from curbs when parallel parking. Slow down ahead of speed bumps as well.
Practice safe cornering and braking. Cornering or braking too hard can cause tires to lose traction and slide. Accelerate gently, brake early and gradually, and take turns at reasonable speeds to avoid tire slippage.
Consider carrying a spare tire. Having a spare tire ready in your trunk allows you to quickly change a flat tire and get back on the road. Make sure the spare is properly inflated and check its tread depth regularly. Rotate it into use every now and then to keep it fresh. Some people choose to carry two spares for longer trips in case of multiple flats.
Following defensive driving habits protects your tires and prevents blowouts or sudden loss of control.
Drive smoothly, avoid obstacles, and maintain safe speeds to get the most out of your tires.
Carrying a spare tire also provides peace of mind in case of a flat. With smart driving, your tires will last longer and perform better.
Consumer Safety Tips
Choosing quality tires from reputable brands is one of the most important things you can do for your vehicle’s safety.
Look for tires that meet industry standards for wet weather traction, treadwear, and temperature resistance.
Consult testing data from consumer resources to find the highest rated tires for your vehicle type.
It’s also critical to follow any tire recall notices and replace tires that have been recalled.
Tire manufacturers are required to notify the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about recalls, and you can check their website or contact your tire seller to find out if your tires have been recalled.
Ignoring a tire recall can lead to sudden failures and accidents.
Properly disposing of worn tires is important too. Don’t leave old tires sitting around – they pose environmental hazards and fire risks.
Many tire retailers accept old tires for recycling or proper disposal. You can also look up tire recycling centers in your area that will take tires for a small fee.
Disposing of tires responsibly protects the safety of your family and community.
Conclusion
Proper tire maintenance and selection is crucial for vehicle safety. As we’ve covered, factors like tread depth, inflation pressure, tire age, and tire type all influence grip, braking, handling, and accident avoidance.
Keeping tires in good condition reduces the chance of blowouts or other failures that can lead to crashes.
Choosing tires suited to your vehicle and driving environment also optimizes safety.
While new tire technologies continue to advance, the basic principles remain the same.
Checking pressures monthly, inspecting for damage regularly, and replacing worn tires are simple maintenance steps every driver should follow.
Tires connect vehicles to the road, so we must ensure they are up to the task for our own protection.
Though often overlooked, tires are one of the most vital components on any vehicle when it comes to safe operation. We owe it to ourselves and others to treat them as such.
