Whoever said not to reinvent the wheel hasn’t tried to buy a tire in recent times. With so many types of tires on the market, it’s hard to know why so many versions of a wheel exist.
Tire types have evolved over the years. Once upon a time started as solid tires made of rubber. As technology improved, manufacturers came to add different compounds to improve traction.
Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. As a result, it’s important to know the differences between each type before deciding which tire is best for you.
What Tire Types are There?
Tire types exist based on their construction and design. The most common tire type is a pneumatic or air-filled tire, which uses pressurized gas to hold its shape.
Pneumatic tires have been around for over 100 years, and they’re still going strong today! They’re popular on cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, ATVs, vans, and sports vehicles.
Pneumatic tires also come in many different sizes, shapes, and designs. Some examples include radial, bias, and tubeless tires. We see more and more biased tires used because they offer better performance than radials.
Tubeless tires use a special sealant that keeps water out while allowing air inside. It makes them great for wet conditions like mud racing.
Solid Tires
Another popular tire type is solid rubber tires. These tires don’t need any inflation, so they’re perfect for off-road driving. Solid tires often comprise of natural materials.
Solid tires are often referred to as “no tread” tires since there are no grooves cut into the surface of these tires. Instead, the entire outer edge of the tire has small bumps called sipes.
Sipe patterns vary depending on what materials make the tire. For example, some tires with a lot of sipes will look like sandpaper. Yet others may only have one or two rows of sipes.
Solid tires are very durable and last longer than other kinds of tires. Yet, suppose you drive your vehicle too much without changing it often. The wear pattern might change and cause problems down the line.
Semi-Solid Tires
The next major category of tires is semi-solid tires. Semi-solids are regular solid tires, except they contain an inner tube instead of air. When you inflate a semi-solid tire, the pressure pushes against the walls of the inner tube.
In turn, this causes it to expand outward. As this happens, the sidewalls stretch a little and create a slight amount of giving when you push on the sidewall. It gives the driver extra control during cornering and braking maneuvers.
Semi-solids are popular in light-duty applications. Here, drivers rarely exceed 50 miles per hour. If you want something stronger, consider getting a full solid tire.
Tubeless Tires
A third option is tubeless tires. Tubeless tires are “low profile” tires because they sit lower on the rim than traditional tires do. Because of this, they provide less grip compared to standard tires.
But they also allow for easier installation and removal. Plus, they need little maintenance once installed. Tubeless tires are best suited for high-speed driving and extreme terrain.
Tubeless tires work by using specially formulated sealants. These sealants keep moisture away from the bead area. Beads exist at each end of the tire and help secure the wheel onto the axle.
Without proper sealing, water could get trapped between the beads. In turn, this affects the rims making the wheels slip.
What Makes a Quality Automotive Tire?
Quality tires should feel smooth or have even tread when touched. If you run across a rough spot on the ground, try touching the area where the bump occurs. You shouldn’t notice any hard spots or sharp edges.
Also, check the sidewalls of the tire. Make sure they aren’t bulging outward at all. When this happens, the tire needs replacing right away as it might have a defect.
Good tires also require low levels of noise and good grip. So the lower noise and better grip, the better they’ll perform, and you’ll see a quality improvement.
Automotive tires are often classed by seasons. Here are some examples of what to look for in each type of tire.
Best Winter Tires
Winter tires exist for cold weather driving. Most winter tires feature studs along the sides of the tire to help keep snow and ice away from the wheel rim.
Studded tires aren’t recommended during the summer months. That’s because of excessive heat buildup between the tire and the pavement.
Best Summer Tires
These tires are best suited for hot climates. Summer tires often have thinner treads compared to winter tires.
That’s due to increased friction on the road. They can handle higher speeds and temperatures.
The main difference between summer and winter tires is their construction. The tread design is different, and the compound is softer. Also, summer tires tend to come in larger sizes, covering more ground per rotation.
Summer tires are available in both steel-belted, and non-steel belted versions. Steel belts provide extra protection against punctures caused by nails and screws. Non-steel belted tires do not include metal bands around the rim of the tire.
Best All-Season Tires
All-season tires are great for use year-round. These tires offer good traction in wet conditions. Yet, they still maintain high levels of performance on dry roads.
Some models come with special compounds. These compounds allow them to work well in snowy environments.
Some manufacturers recommend replacing all four wheels every three years regardless of usage. It helps ensure that all four tires remain worn out at an even rate.
Other Important Variables
When choosing a tire, many factors come into play. All new tires must follow strict guidelines and regulations.
These regulations vary depending on where you live. Some of these only matter if you’re buying used tires. Here are some things to consider:
Tread Depth
Tread depth refers to how far the rubber goes up the sidewall of the tire. It determines traction and safety. Too little depth could result in hydroplaning, while too much would reduce performance.
Sidewall Height
Sidewalls refer to the height of the tread that touches the road. Higher sidewalls mean greater contact with the road but less flexibility.
Rim Width
A wider rim allows for more room inside the tire, so your car will sit closer to the vehicle’s centerline. Yet, narrower rims make the wheels appear smaller and may affect handling.
Tire Size
If you want to fit bigger-sized tires, then choose a size that’s appropriate for your vehicle. Larger vehicles need large diameter tires, whereas small cars need smaller ones. Note that tire size can affect fuel economy, so choose with care.
Puncture Resistance
Suppose you plan on using this tire often or drive over rough surfaces such as gravel roads. Then check out its resistance to pitting. Pits form when the surface of the tire becomes damaged.
It Causes air pockets to develop within the tire causing loss of pressure. In turn, this leads to flat spots. Check out our guide here to find out about the types of tires and why you should buy them.
Michelin has a new tire type on the market. It claims to be puncture-proof as it is airless.
The technology’s found in utility equipment such as ride-on lawnmowers. But as the cost comes down, it is soon transitioning into automobiles.
How Do I Know Which Type of Tire Is Right for My Vehicle?
The easiest way to find out is to look at your manual. If it doesn’t tell you what type of tire you have, ask an expert mechanic who knows his stuff. Companies such as OZZYTYRES can recommend the best tire type for your vehicle.
There are lots of forums dedicated to discussing various aspects of driving. You might even see other people talking about different styles of tires online. But remember, if you’re resizing your tires, you need to follow the correct procedures.
These procedures include making sure the odometer’s set to read the correct mileage. They also include correct tire pressures and checking for leaks around the valve. Also, note that changing the wrong kind of tire can damage your suspension system. So always double-check before proceeding!
XL Tires
XL Tires are a type of tire designed for extra load, yet they are often standard sizes. These are popular in electric cars due to the increased weight of the lithium-ion HV battery.
It’s this large battery that powers the motors. With standard tires, the wear on the rubber is much more severe and can speed up tire degradation.
XL Tires need pumping to a higher PSI to accommodate for the weight of the vehicle. It allows prolonging of the life of the tires.
It also improves the economy and range as a result. XLs offer better traction than regular tires while still being easy to handle.
Types of Tires for Every Use Case
There’s no denying that tire technology is forever evolving. That’s never been more true with the introduction of vehicles of the future, such as electric cars.
Suppose different types of tires were driving you up the wall and making you go round in circles. It would help if you now had a good grip on what types of tires exist for your vehicle.
Keep reading for more top tips!
